Hear the 2024 Mazda CX-90’s 254kW straight-six in latest teaser video

UPDATE: Mazda teases sound of CX-90's engine

As the full release of the 2023 Mazda CX-90 edges closer, Mazda has let us sample the sound of the three-row large SUV’s 254kW inline-six engine – the most powerful ever fitted to a Mazda.

The video, from Mazda USA, follows the ‘unboxed’ theme of the first minute long video, this time featuring TV mechanic Ant Anstead.

“Our commitment, as Mazda, to deliver this pure driving performance was reflected in the CX-90 by saying: ‘we’re going to commit to putting an inline-six into a front-rear, longitudinal lay-out'… it’s a much more natural way for vehicles to behave”, says Jay Chen, manager, powertrain performance.

There are additional nuggets throughout the video, including how Mazda tweaked the packaging of the transmission and torque converter to fit the longer engine. It also dives into how Kinetic Posture Control (KPC) works.

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The Mazda CX-90 will be fully revealed on February 1. Stay tuned to Wheels for the latest updates.

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The story to here

January 18, 2023: Mazda has confirmed the 2024 CX-90 three-row large SUV will use a more powerful version of the CX-60's ‘G40e’ 3.3-litre turbo-petrol inline six.

Ahead of the CX-90’s official unveiling on February 1, Mazda confirmed output bumps to 254kW of power between 5000-60000rpm, and 500Nm from 2000-45000rpm, or 45kW of power and 50Nm of torque more.

As in CX-60, the engine features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for improved efficiency. All CX-90s will be fitted with Mazda’s kinetic posture control (KPC) system first seen on MX-5.

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Potentially a red herring, the file name of the teaser image distributed by Mazda is 'CX-90_Teaser3_Performance', so perhaps the six-cylinder petrol will be available in a sporty guise, not unlike the CX-9 GT SP.

Mazda has not confirmed further details about the CX-90’s promised plug-in hybrid powertrain, but with power bumped for the petrol, the same could be true of the hybrid.

Accompanying the power confirmation was another teaser image. The familial resemblance in the headlights between CX-90 and CX-60 is clear to see, however the large SUV appears to have pronounced flares around its fenders and a tougher stance.

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All will be revealed on February 1, with an Australian launch expected in the second half of the year. Keep up to date with Wheels for the latest info.

Our original story, below, continues unchanged.

January 2023: Mazda CX-90 to debut on February 1, 'unboxed' in new teaser

The upcoming 2024 Mazda CX-90 will be unveiled in February, the brand has confirmed.

It will debut in the early hours of February 1 in Australia, with Mazda's US division releasing the first of several 'unboxing' teaser videos overnight.

The campaign, which stars Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, will detail several components, starting with its engine, wheels, centre console and dashboard assembly.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is expected to launch in Australia in the second half of the year, so stay tuned to Wheels for the latest information as it emerges.

Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.

December 14, 2022: 2024 Mazda CX-90 teased again ahead of reveal

Mazda's upcoming CX-90 large SUV has been teased again ahead of its debut next month.

A set of tightly-cropped images posted overnight reveal the tail-light design of the CX-90, with clear familiarity to the smaller CX-60, and confirm a plug-in hybrid will be available.

Mazda USA said the "performance-orientated" PHEV powertrain in the CX-90 has been "tuned specifically for the North American market", suggesting it could be more potent than the CX-60's electrified system.

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In the CX-60, the plug-in hybrid system comprises a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine matched with a 129kW electric motor and a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery, producing 241kW and 500Nm in total.

It has an electric-only driving range of approximately 60 kilometres.

A 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine is also likely, with the mill producing 209kW and 450Nm in the CX-60. Both engines will be matched with an eight-speed torque converter automatic.

Full details for the 2024 Mazda CX-90 will be revealed next month, so stay tuned to Wheels for the latest.

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November 16: 2024 Mazda CX-90 teased, confirmed for Australia

The upcoming 2024 Mazda CX-90 large SUV will debut in January, the brand confirmed today.

In a new teaser, Mazda announced the large-platform, rear-biased SUV will have “wider, longer and more aggressive proportions than any current Mazda,” with the model expected to replace the current, second-generation CX-9 unveiled in 2015.

“Following an initial preview of the First-Ever Mazda CX-90, Mazda Australia is excited to confirm that it will welcome the all-new model to its local range as the second entrant to join the large-platform family,” said Mazda’s local arm.

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The first teaser – an image of its front fender – reveals the CX-90 will be powered by an inline-six engine, likely the 48-volt mild-hybrid 3.3-litre turbo-petrol set to debut on the CX-60.

In the medium SUV, the petrol-six produces 209kW and 450Nm – up 39kW and 30Nm over the current CX-9’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol – with the potential for a power bump in the larger CX-90.

It is likely to offer a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid option, which produces 241kW and 500Nm in the CX-60, with a claimed 60-kilometre electric-only driving range.

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Mazda will also debut a new paint colour, artisan red, with the CX-90. It says the colour has been designed for its large platform vehicles, expanding to include the North American-focused CX-70 and the Europe-bound CX-80 in the coming months.

It says the colour will also feature across its current line-up, such as the CX-5 and CX-8 in a similar fashion to its rhodium white finish, which debuted on the CX-60 earlier this year.

Little else is known about the CX-90 at this stage, but spy photos published by The Fast Lane Car in the US suggest it will look similar to the CX-60, but with a longer, wider body and three rows of seating.

Its smaller brother, the CX-60, will not be offered in North America, with the CX-70 set to become a shorter, five-seat version of the wider CX-90, while the CX-80 will be a longer, seven-seat version of the CX-60 for Europe and Japan.

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Above: 2023 Mazda CX-60

Mazda Australia has not confirmed if it will sell the CX-70 or CX-80, but the local presence of the CX-60 and CX-90 means both are unlikely for Australia.

The brand is expected to continue offering the CX-5 medium SUV and CX-8 large SUV – set to receive a mid-life facelift in March – in Australia, while the larger CX-9 is thought to make way for the CX-90, with a price rise likely to accommodate for its rear-wheel drive underpinnings and newly-developed powertrains.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 will be unveiled in January 2023, with more details on its Australian launch to be announced at its reveal event.