Out on the open ocean, a tsunami is almost impossible to see; but as the wave gets closer to shore, it builds and swells and all of a sudden, it becomes extremely obvious. By then, of course, it is too late.
Consider what’s happened to Mazda an early warning of what’s coming.
It is the first major car company to become a four-cylinder-only car company. All of its 2018 model year cars – from the compact Mazda3 to the full-sized CX-9 (reviewed here) are powered by four-cylinder engines no larger than 2.5 liters.
No more sixes – even in the Mazda6. Which used to offer one.
This is the wave of the future – unless someone (Trump?) rescinds the fatwa issued by the federal government during the last few months of Obama’s presidency. This fatwa decrees a near-doubling of the current “corporate average” fuel economy mandatory minimum from 34.1 to 54.5 miles-per-gallon by the 2025 model year.
There isn’t a six-cylinder-powered car on the market that can make that cut – which is why Mazda isn’t selling them anymore.
Others are following the example.
For instance, Honda. The just-redesigned 2018 Accord – which is a mid-sized sedan that weighs close to 3,400 lbs. – now comes standard with a 1.5-liter “earth dreams” four. A turbocharged 2.0 liter four – also “earth dreamy” – is the largest optional engine available.
You used to be able to buy a V6. No dreams necessary.
The Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang have both dropped their formerly standard V6 engines, replacing them with . . . turbocharged fours.
More will follow suit – because there’s no other option. If they don’t meet the CAFE mandatory minimums, they get hit in the head with the equivalent of a sock full of quarters – those “gas guzzler” fines you’ve probably heard of. These are Uncle’s vengeful way of countermanding what the buying public wants.
