A number of upcoming Toyota and Lexus models may share a rear-wheel drive platform and inline-six engine with Mazda, claims a report from Japanese publication Best Car.
The report states that Toyota’s first Mazda-based model could be a successor to the Mark X sedan it sells primarily in Japan and other Asian markets. Lexus could then use the same underpinnings for a new coupe to sit between the RC and LC in its existing line-up. The platform sharing won’t stop here.
It is claimed that the next-generation Lexus IS and RC will use Toyota’s TGNA chassis but when these models are replaced, perhaps sometime after 2026, a new Mazda rear-wheel drive large architecture may be used alongside a Mazda Skyactiv-X inline-six engine.
Also Read: Toyota Mark X Final Edition Is The End Of The Road For Iconic JDM Sports Sedan
It may seem a little far-fetched that Toyota, Lexus, and Mazda will all collaborate and share a common architecture and six-cylinder engine, but increased consolidation across the automotive industry and Toyota’s penchant for platform-sharing means it is within the realms of possibility. We have contacted the car manufacturers in question to see if there is any truth to this Japanese report.
Mazda confirmed in May that it is developing a family of straight-six Skyactiv-X engines for use in its premium models in both petrol and diesel guises. These engines will be used in a number of rear- and all-wheel drive models. Developing these engines, as well as its upcoming large architecture, represents a significant expense for the car manufacturer and selling these components to Toyota and Lexus would certainly help it recoup some of its development costs.
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