Mazda Wins 2025 AJAC Award for Safety-Enhancing Engine Design

Safety innovations often go unseen until they matter most. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has recognized Mazda's exceptional focus on protection by awarding its Large Platform MHEV Powertrains the Best Technical Innovation in the 2025 AJAC Innovation Awards. Announced during the Vancouver International Auto Show, this prestigious honour highlights how Mazda's engineering choices enhance both performance and crash safety.

The award-winning powertrain—available in Mazda CX-70 and CX-90 models—stands out for its intelligent integration of safety considerations throughout the design process. Your family deserves this level of thoughtful protection on every journey.

Enhanced Crash Structure Integration

The innovative inline-six engine configuration creates substantial safety benefits through improved frontal crash protection. Unlike typical engine layouts, this design works harmoniously with the vehicle's crash structure to absorb and redirect impact forces away from the passenger cabin.

This structural advantage remains invisible until needed, but the engineering team factored it into every aspect of the powertrain design. The longitudinal engine placement provides additional crumple zone space, while the overall packaging supports more effective energy management during collisions.

Graham Heeps, Chair of the AJAC Innovation Awards, noted several advantages of Mazda's approach: "The AJAC Innovation Awards jurors loved that this delivered benefits in several areas: boosting efficiency, improving acceleration from rest and smoothing out gearchanges, while enhancing both driving dynamics and frontal crash safety."

Active Safety Through Superior Control

Your ability to avoid accidents benefits directly from this award-winning technology. The 48-volt mild hybrid system improves vehicle responsiveness in emergency situations by providing immediate torque when needed most.

The innovative 8-speed transmission, which uses an electric motor instead of a conventional torque converter, creates more precise power delivery and smoother gear transitions. These improvements translate to better control during evasive maneuvers and more predictable handling in challenging conditions.

Standard i-Activ all-wheel drive provides additional stability on wet or slippery roads, while Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) technology reduces body roll during cornering. This system works by applying slight braking pressure to the inside rear wheel during turns, creating a more balanced, connected feeling through curves and helping you maintain better control in all driving situations.

Harmonious Design Philosophy

What sets this award-winning powertrain apart is how Mazda integrated safety enhancements while simultaneously improving performance, efficiency, and driving dynamics. The turbocharged inline-six engine develops impressive power—up to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque in the CX-90's high-output version—without compromising protection.

"Technical innovation has always been at the core of Mazda," explained David Klan, President and CEO of Mazda Canada. "Mazda has always designed vehicles first with human centricity to help improve the lives of our customers, and we are grateful to be recognized by AJAC with this award."

This human-centered approach considers safety as an integral component of the driving experience rather than a separate feature. The positioning of critical components, the tuning of the suspension, and even the throttle response have been calibrated to create a more intuitive connection between driver and vehicle—allowing you to anticipate and respond to potential hazards more effectively.

Real-World Safety Applications

The hybrid component of these powertrains adds another layer of safety advantage. The electric motor assists during low-speed maneuvers, providing smoother control in parking lots and congested urban environments where pedestrians are often present.

For highway driving, the powertrain delivers consistent, linear acceleration that helps you merge confidently and avoid situations that might lead to collisions. The towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs (when properly equipped) comes with specialized driving modes that optimize power delivery and enhance stability when pulling trailers or boats.

All these safety enhancements work quietly in the background while you enjoy the premium driving experience created by the same award-winning technology. Your peace of mind grows from knowing this comprehensive approach to safety has earned recognition from the most demanding automotive journalists in Canada.

The CX-70 and CX-90 models featuring Mazda's award-winning safety-enhancing engine design await you at Sydney Mazda. Drive with confidence knowing your vehicle's engineering has been recognized for protecting what matters most—the passengers inside.