Mazda recently filed a patent for a new inline six-cylinder exhaust system and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. What's the big deal? The automaker currently fields only four-cylinder engines across its cars and SUVs and lacks either a six-cylinder engine for that exhaust to bolt to, as well as a transmission of any kind with more than six forward speeds.

While we already knew about the inline-six—it was announced as part of a new global strategy last year—this new patent filing reveals that it will have some tricks up its, er, exhaust manifold. According to Super.Asadura.com, the patent filing is for "an engine exhaust structure capable of ensuring exhaust efficiency while reducing the size of the engine by changing the structure of the exhaust port." The manifold described by the patent, therefore, appears to show that Mazda has found a way to shuffle around the exhaust ports and modify the exhaust layout to allow for a more compact straight-six engine block.

While inline-sixes are renowned for their signature torque and smoothness, they're also quite bulky, at least in length. That's because unlike a V-6, where two rows of three cylinders overlap, meeting at their base at the bottom of the V-shaped engine block that's relatively compact in length and width, an inline six is, as it sounds, a row of six cylinders standing in a line. The arrangement requires a long hood on rear-wheel-drive models, and faces issues when turned sideways for transverse, front-wheel-drive applications because in smaller vehicles, it might not fit between the front wheels like an inline-four would. Given how the majority of Mazda's current lineup is front-engine, with front-wheel-drive, the new inline-six engine would have to be compact for a shot at fitting even in larger products such as the CX-9 crossover. On the more fun side, we'll speculate that a smaller six would make an excellent addition to the MX-5 Miata sports car . . . and remind everyone that Mazda is no stranger to tiny six-cylinders. Remember the 1.8-liter V-6 in the '90s-era subcompact MX-3?

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The other patent-based revelation is the filing for a new, eight-speed automatic. Mazda has avoided most Japanese automaker's fascination with continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs), choosing instead to stick to its six-speed automatic. Per the company, it was meeting its drivability and fuel economy targets with only six forward speeds. Still, the transmission—originally based on a Ford gearbox design, from back when Ford owned a large stake in Mazda—is getting long in the tooth. It likely is getting tough, too, for Mazda to market its six-speed while some competitors are fielding nine- and even ten-speed transmissions. Beyond craven marketing needs, the eight-speed could squeeze some more efficiency from Mazda's engines and, given how compact modern eight-speeds can be, likely won't carry a weight penalty over the six-speed.

We recently drove a CX-9 to Las Vegas, and found its mere six-speed auto to be a weak link in the big Mazda's powertrain. We wished for two more, so it seems like Mazda has answered our prayers. There's no word on when we might see this new inline-six engine or the new transmission, but Super.Asadura.com seems to think we could see something as early as Geneva this year. Honestly, there's no rush. Let's let Mazda take their time and get it right.