2018 Mazda 6 2.5L Turbo - Next Mazdaspeed????

I'm 90% sure this is happening. We'll find out for sure at the LA Auto Show.
 
I heard it will not be available with a standard gearbox.
 
Paddle shifter manual mode sport activated may be quicker than a manual.
 
TFL interviewed a Mazda powertrain engineer at the LA Auto Show and he somewhat addressed the issue of the missing manual. He said that a big part of the fun of owning a manual is being able to rev out an engine. However the 2.5T engine makes it power down low and by 5k RPM it is already out of steam. So they are sort of saying that a manual wouldn't be that much fun with that engine. He also said that the automatic transmission is better suited to keeping the gears in the powerband. If I can find the video later, I'll post it on here.
 
I’m intrigued by this new engine; the transmission does make sense, but some of us just like 3 pedals and a transmission that requires our input. I’ve been driving manuals since I was 18 and like them, hence the Speed3 I own. We own a CX-5 and CX-9. They’re fun, but not like the Speed!


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The current SkyActiv 2.5T engine is really still an economy engine for Mazda. I don't remember where I've read it, but someone from Mazda said that this 2.5T engine is not a "high performance" engine, but that it is suitable for the segment that the Mazda6 is in. What I get from that is that if Mazda really wants to, they can come up with a higher performance turbocharged engine, which will most likely be paired with a manual.
 
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