Chinese tuner can't wait for the next-gen Mazda 6; converts current one to RWD with a Lexus V8

Mazda has made no qualms about their intentions to take on the likes of BMW and will be doing so with the next generation Mazda 6 adopting a more premium, rear-wheel drive layout. However, a tuner from China lacked the patience for this and instead built his own RWD Mazda 6 that’s powered by a Lexus V8 of all things.

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Talk about truly going premium. Even the donor engine is from a premium marque.

Starting with a 2016 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G front-wheel drive Mazda6 as the platform for this madness, the owner had first transplanted a larger 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G engine and bolted on a supercharger for some kicks.

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However, apparently that kick didn’t send it hurtling quick enough. So, the owner dropped the car off at a tuner called Omas for what can only be described as ground-breaking upgrades.

The Mazda engine was sent to the scrap heap and work on the shell begun. Doubling the cylinder count meant that the existing firewall and transmission tunnel had to be modified. A new cooling system, exhaust and fuel tank were fitted to work around a driveshaft that wasn’t there when it left the factory. The final piece of the puzzle was a rear end and subframe from a 2008 Toyota Crown.

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Once all this was completed, Engine Swap Depot confirms the 4.3-litre Toyota-derived 3UZ-FE was dropped into the engine bay. This engine was used in a number of Lexus models and this particular one was from a Lexus LS430.

It packs the credentials for proper performance. In fact, a version of this engine replaced the 3S-GTE in Toyota’s Super GT race machines.

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Here, the V8 should still be making the factory-rated 290 hp and 434 Nm of torque; plenty to light up those rear wheels as you can see in the short video.

As if the sound of the V8 wouldn’t give up the game, the owner opted to keep everything on the exterior and interior looking standard for that sleeper look. Even the standard wheels were retained. The only giveaway might be the gauges on the dash as well as those red paddle shifters.