My bad about the weight - chalk one up to me working off memory and not checking before posting. Apologies.
Still, I post one large *sigh* to all who misunderstood my earlier post.
1) I don't hate Mazda. Not at all. I don't like the claustrophobic feeling of the backseat of the '6 as a mid-size sedan, but I don't HATE the car. I would consider it if I were in the market for a mid-size...
2) Suffice it to say that I was questioning the logic of the SkyActiv method of making extant technology more efficient by using technology that is less efficient (6-speed) than another offering (CVT, or even an 8 or 9 speed autobox).
In fact, my entire point was a nod to Mazda for refining what they've got rather than making bogus 'tech' like Subaru's XV hybrid (yes, I'm Subaru bashing - a 15hp electric motor does not make sense when the system weighs 300lbs more). I was pointing out that Mazda, if they adopted a CVT, could hypothetically make the BEST CVT this world has ever seen with their SkyActiv mantra.
Speculative, of course, but I believe that if they were to plop an efficient tranny in with the rest of their efficency engineering, it could meet the real world efficiency of most hybrids.
And since many of you decided to misunderstand my point from before, let me conclude by saying "Go Mazda Go." Does that help?