The 2027 Mazda 9 would be divine – we foresee a BMW 8-Series Fighting RWD GT

This story includes speculative illustrations that are not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda.

Mazda recently launched its new 2024 CX-90 three-row crossover with a turbocharged 3.3-liter straight-six and rear-wheel-drive tilt platform. However, many of us have imagined how it would fare in something lighter, like a Mazda6 sedan and wagon that rivaled the BMW 3 Series.

Well, unfortunately, that thought can stop there. Hiroshima executives have poured cold water on that conjecture, stating that its large rear-wheel-drive architecture will only be used in SUVs like the CX-60 and CX-80 (the narrow-body cars for Europe and Asia-Pacific ), and the wider CX-70 and CX-90. Oh damn!

Online daydreams aside, what if the Japanese automaker skipped the six and instead went with a big GT-inspired four-door coupe? Maybe we call it the “Nine” to catapult Mazda into true luxury conflict? Let’s explore this a bit more.

Visionary design

This Mazda9 (or Nine) design study is inspired by Mazda’s 2017 Vision Coupe concept, incorporating powerful proportions and sleek styling. The front end features a fake shark-nose grille intersected by wedge-shaped LED headlights and slim DRLs. Up top, the hood’s center section sits lower in relation to the voluptuous front fenders, making it look ready to jump off.

Viewed from the side, it reveals a long dash-to-axle ratio, with a rearward cockpit position. Frameless windows and eye-catching chrome trim exude sporty luxury, while deeply sculpted sheet metal and pumped rear fenders hint at its powerful potential. Rear styling mimics the Vision concept, with circular taillights and a deeply scalloped trunk lid.

A luxury perspective

2017 Mazda Vision Coupe Concept

Inside, the four-seater cabin would emphasize style and premium craftsmanship with high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. A full-width HUD would use augmented reality to display essential information on the windshield along with an OLED information display that spans the entire dashboard to keep front-seat passengers entertained.

We expect a full suite of driver aids with Lidar implementation to deliver Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving and multiple driving modes to make the driver feel more engaged. Other perks could include expansive ambient lighting, an electrochromic panoramic sunroof, and special-order trim customization options.

Powerful performance

As much as everyone would love to see Mazda’s new 3.3-liter turbo inline-six under the hood, the reality is that the automaker will be adopting different levels of electrification in the future. Starting in 2025, Mazda will offer its Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture and launch five new hybrid cars and five new plug-in hybrids before then.

Hiroshima’s new EV platform has the flexibility to offer many body styles, which could underpin a grand tourer like the one shown in this design study. With the company’s ethos towards driver involvement, you can bet it would have a rear-biased dual motor setup. Mazda hasn’t revealed any details about battery capacity or engine outputs (it should be over 400 hp at least).

shoot for the stars

Let’s not fool ourselves; as it stands, Mazda is not a luxury manufacturer. Of course, they had tried this before with the proposed (and quickly canceled) Amati brand in 1991, and some of their current product offerings could be considered premium. But they are still not in the same league as Audi or BMW.

They could pull it off (with a lot of investment) with something like this design studio, aspiring Audi RS7 Sportback, BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz EQS and AMG GT, Porsche Taycan, Audi RS e-tron GT and the upcoming Polestar. 5. One can only dream.

Would you like Mazda to go all in on a halo model like our design proposal? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Mazda’s last executive-size sedan was the Millenia, also known as the Eunos 800 and Mazda 9, built between 1993 and 2002.

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  [0]=>
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This story includes speculative illustrations that are not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda."
  [1]=>
  string(608) "



Mazda recently launched its new 2024 CX-90 three-row crossover with a 3.3-litre turbocharged straight six and rear-drive biased platform. However, many of us have imagined how it would perform in something lighter, like a BMW 3-Series-rivalling all-new Mazda6 sedan and wagon."
  [2]=>
  string(465) "



Well, sadly, that thought can stop there. Execs from Hiroshima have poured cold water over such conjecture, stating that its large rear-drive architecture will only be used on SUVs such as the CX-60 and CX-80 (the narrow body cars for Europe and Asia-Pacific), and the wider CX-70 and CX-90. Oh damn!"
  [3]=>
  string(249) "



Inline dreams aside, what if the Japanese automaker skipped the six and went all-out on a large, GT-inspired four-door coupe? Perhaps call it the ‘Nine’ to catapult Mazda into true luxury contention? Let’s explore this a little further."
  [4]=>
  string(40) "



Visionary Design"
  [5]=>
  string(2731) "




         
            
  
        


This Mazda9 (or Nine) design study is inspired by Mazda’s 2017 Vision Coupe concept, which embodies powerful proportions and sleek styling. The frontal area features a shark-nosed faux grille intersected by wedge-shaped LED headlamps and slim DRLs. Further up, the central section of the hood sits lower relative to the voluptuous front fenders, making it look ready to pounce. "
  [6]=>
  string(542) "



Viewing it from the side reveals a long dash-to-axle ratio, with a cab rearward stance. Frameless windows and eye-catching chrome trim exude sporting luxury, whilst deeply sculptured sheet metal and pumped rear haunches hint at its powerful potential. Rear styling mimics the Vision concept, with circular taillamps and a profoundly scalloped trunk lid."
  [7]=>
  string(43) "



A Luxurious Outlook"
  [8]=>
  string(1659) "



            
"
  [9]=>
  string(401) " 



Mazda Vision Coupe Concept from 2017



Inside, the four-seat cabin would emphasize style and premium craftsmanship with high-quality materials and up-to-the-minute technology. A full-width HUD would employ augmented reality to display essential information on the windscreen alongside an OLED infotainment screen that spans the entire dash to keep front-seat passengers entertained."
  [10]=>
  string(325) "



We’d expect a full suite of driver assists with Lidar implementation to provide Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving and multiple drive modes to make the driver feel more engaged. Other goodies could include expansive ambient lighting, an electrochromic panoramic sunroof, and special-order trim personalization options."
  [11]=>
  string(42) "



Potent Performance"
  [12]=>
  string(2714) "




         
            
  
        


As much as everyone would love to see Mazda’s new turbocharged 3.3-litre inline six under the hood, the reality is that the automaker will embrace varying levels of electrification in the future. From 2025, Mazda will offer its dedicated Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture and launch five new hybrid cars and five new plug-in hybrids before then."
  [13]=>
  string(401) "



Hiroshima’s new EV platform has the flexibility to offer many body styles, which could underpin a grand tourer such as the one depicted in this design study. With the company’s ethos towards driver involvement, one can bet that it would sport a rear-biased, dual-motor setup. Mazda hasn’t revealed any specifics on battery capacity or motor outputs (it should be over 400hp at a minimum)."
  [14]=>
  string(45) "



Shooting To the Stars"
  [15]=>
  string(2351) "




         
            
  
        


Let’s not kid ourselves; as it stands, Mazda is not a luxury manufacturer. Granted, they had tried before with the proposed (and swiftly cancelled) Amati brand back in 1991, and some of its current product offerings could be considered premium. But they’re not yet in the same league as Audi or BMW."
  [16]=>
  string(1445) "



They could pull it off (with much investment) with something like this design study, aspiring to Audi’s RS7 Sportback, BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz EQS and AMG GT, Porsche Taycan, Audi RS e-tron GT and upcoming Polestar 5. One can only dream."
  [17]=>
  string(140) "



Would you like Mazda to go all-out on a halo model like our design proposition? We’d love to hear your views in the comments below."
  [18]=>
  string(1217) "



            
"
  [19]=>
  string(164) " 



Mazda’s last executive-sized sedan was the Millenia, also known as the Eunos 800 and Mazda 9, built from 1993 to 2002"
  [20]=>
  string(1) "
"

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