I remain hopeful, but based on distilling all the other industry comments it sounds like it will come down to the following engine configurations:
The PHEV will be a Mazda built Toyota 4 cylinder engine/transmission, similar to their rear drive configurations. Probably functional and efficient, but not thrilling. However it will be reliable, as was the Mazda built Ford V6 in the old CX-9.
The NA I-6 will be a mild hybrid, probably 48v. Mild hybrids are somewhat pointless, with marginal efficiency improvement and limited performance improvement.
The third configuration will likely be a turbo I-6. Good performance, but a gas guzzler so volume will be capped.
I was hoping for the modern NA I-6 in either a full hybrid or PHEV configuration, but will probably be disappointed. Such a combination would have leveraged the modern I-6 engine for performance with hybrid drive for really good fuel efficiency.
Guess we‘ll find out for sure by the end of January