Mazda is studying the potential of offering all-wheel-drive sedans eventually. But such a product may come sooner than expected, if this website from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is any indication. While searching for 2018 Mazda6 crash test ratings on the site, we found results for both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. Both cars receive an overall five-star rating.
Recently, Mazda’s North America CEO Masahiro Moro opened up to CarAdvice on this subject. He indicated there’s a layout issue that would prevent combining the new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine in the Mazda6 with all-wheel drive.
However, he also noted there is plenty of demand for all-wheel drive cars in the U.S. “Four-wheel drive becomes a premium cue for U.S. consumers, and obviously, I have asked our R&D department to think about how we can accommodate four-wheel drive capability in the future,” he said.
The 2018 Mazda6 goes on sale this spring, but will it offer all-wheel drive? It’s impossible to confirm at this point. Mazda declined to comment when we asked about the matter.
The new sedan carries over with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter base engine. But the new turbocharged 2.5-liter produces 250 hp (on 93-octane fuel) and 310 lb-ft of torque. To accommodate the extra output, the Mazda6 receives an improved chassis and suspension.
Source: NHTSA
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