Mazda’s current 6 has aged remarkably well since its inception in 2012 with subsequent updates keeping it ahead of the mid-size pack. So naturally, when reports came to light that Mazda was developing a rear-wheel-drive replacement in conjunction with an inline-six, the online world of car enthusiasts was fever pitch in excitement.

It’s a play befitting the Japanese carmaker’s aspirations of moving the brand upmarket, challenging the likes of BMW and Lexus rather than Honda and Hyundai. Yet without being able to gaze upon the usual camo-laden test mules, what can we foresee in terms of styling, technology and powertrains? Let’s dust off the creative crystal ball and speculate on what it could look like with this in-house created illustration.

Visionary Styling

When it comes to automotive design, Mazda has been belting out hit after hit; most recently with the latest 3 hatchback scoring top honors with a world car design award for 2020. The all-new 6 will continue this momentum with close links to the 2017 Vision Coupe concept.

Illustrations copyright Carscoops.com / Josh Byrnes

As with the Vision show car, we’ve imagined the new 6 to be an elegant four-door featuring strong rear-drive proportions that include a long hood, axle-to-dash ratio, and short rear deck. In the transition from concept to production, the 6 will gain a higher roof-line and larger daylight opening area (DLO).

See Also: Next 2023 Mazda6 Said To Follow A BMW Formula With RWD, Inline-Six And A Coupe Version

Whilst the pronounced frontal overbite has been scaled back, it will retain Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy with softer lines and more emphasis put on handcrafted organic surfacing – as opposed to digital-centric styling seen on many other new cars today. The rear also retains the concept’s Ferrari-inspired appearance with a sloping roofline, quad exhausts and circular LED taillights.

A Luxury Outlook

The interior of the current car holds its own very well, not just against its direct rivals, but also some higher-priced luxury marques. We anticipate the new 6 to build upon its strengths with an expressive and highly-crafted, five-seat cabin featuring the latest in technology and convenience.

The Mazda Vision Concept pictured here will provide inspiration for the cabin design

Unlike other Mazdas of recent, the touchscreen interface will be integrated in-dash, with a secondary Ferrari-esque display showcasing vehicle information ahead of the front passenger. Along with the vast swathes of Nappa leather and open pour wood, expect other goodies such as a customisable heads-up display, ambient lighting and a Porsche Taycan-like digital instrument cluster.

Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of driver assists will be standard; including lane departure assist, adaptive cruise with stop and go, 360-degree camera, pedestrian detection, intelligent speed sign recognition and G-vectoring control.

Potent Powertrains

The big news here is undoubtedly the switch to a longitudinal engine layout with six-cylinder options and rear-wheel drive. The inline-six engines in development are a Skyactiv-X compression-ignition petrol and a Skyactiv-D diesel with 48-volt mild hybrid, and plug-in hybrid technologies.

Mazda’s current Skyactive-D 2.2L diesel produces 168hp and 290 lb-ft in U.S. spec

Whilst the capacity of these units have yet to be confirmed, conjecture has an output ranging around the 350 horsepower (261 kW) mark. To reduce development costs, it’s rumored that Mazda has teamed up with Toyota, with the inline-six tipped to end up in the next Lexus IS and other Toyota products.

Some regions will likely use an updated Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre inline-four in NA and turbocharged formats, and a Skyactiv-D 2.2-litre twin-turbo inline-four diesel. Power will be fed to the rear wheels (or all-four in some markets) via a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

Rivals & Reveal

Traditionally, the Mazda6 has competed against more mainstream offerings like Honda’s Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion/Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. Moving the Mazda6 into luxury territory may be a risky move; yet with stunning styling and powerful new engines, it may just lure buyers away from Audi’s A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

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Unfortunately, although the current car is long in the tooth, don’t expect an official reveal anytime soon.Mazda recently stated there won’t be any major new model launches until 2023 at the earliest.

What do you think? Share your views in the comments section below.

Mazda Vision Coupe Concept