After the recent launch of the new Mazda CX-60 PHEV plug-in hybrid, the Japanese company has just presented two new complementary versions equipped with the new e-Skyactiv D diesel engine. It is a powerful, clean, efficient engine with ultra-low emissions thanks to to the new clean combustion technology DCPCI (Partial Premix Distribution Controlled Compression Ignition).
This move – apparently contrary to the current trend to eliminate diesel engines in favor of electrified gasoline solutions – responds to Mazda’s “multi-solution strategy”. In this case, the objective of the Japanese manufacturer is to meet the needs of customers looking for an efficient car to cover long distances and with a large towing capacity.
To do this, Mazda relies on a combination of all available alternatives (gasoline, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, purely electric, etc.). The firm’s argument to justify the viability of the different products and technologies is to be able to adapt in the best possible way to each local market and the sustainability aspirations of each society.
There are many markets, different continents, more or less restrictive regulations and no one yet knows what the future of the automotive industry will bring us, so it is not particularly intelligent to trust everything to a single hegemonic technology.
Mazda’s proposal offers a wide range of electrified engines such as much more efficient internal combustion engines, always in search of the lowest possible emissions. Thus, in the next three years, Mazda will introduce five new electrified products and beyond 2025, the brand will launch its new Skyactiv scalable architecture for EVs: a proprietary technology that will allow it to build electric models for all segments using a common platform.
But meanwhile, it continues to evolve and improve a formula that has widely demonstrated its usefulness for certain cases such as diesel engines with electrical assistance for those who make long-distance journeys and high mileage throughout the year. Thus, it has equipped its flagship, the CX-60 -with a prominent family approach- with the new e-Skyactiv D engine, consisting of a 3.3-liter diesel engine with six cylinders in line.
This block incorporates advanced, highly innovative combustion technology that makes it one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world. So much so that the Hiroshima manufacturer is convinced that it will comfortably comply with the emission regulations that will soon come into force.
The new unit has been adequately dimensioned, optimizing displacement to improve both torque delivery efficiency and consumption. Thus, it has 3,283 cc, six cylinders arranged longitudinally and electronically controlled direct injection through a common rail system. It is offered in two power versions: 200 hp with rear-wheel drive and 254 hp with all-wheel drive i-Activ AWD.
This new diesel engine also implements the 48 V M Hybrid Boost light hybrid system, to offer excellent performance (30% torque), very tight consumption and extraordinary autonomy. The 254 hp CX-60 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 219 km/h, despite which its average WLTP consumption is only 5.2 l /100 km, with CO2 emissions of just 137 g/km. For its part, the average WLTP consumption of the 200 hp variant is 5.0 l/100 km, with emissions of only 128 g/km of CO2.
The straight-six architecture produces less vibration as it inherently offers “perfect balance”. The ride is smooth and quiet, and engine performance is nice but forceful from low revs. Thanks to its high torque output, the Mazda CX-60 equipped with this engine can easily handle a 2,500 kg trailer. In addition, since the engine structure is simpler, its weight is similar to that of the 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, whose average consumption was 6.6 liters.
The CX-60 will be completed later with an e-Skyactiv 3.0-liter straight-six petrol engine, joining the all-new e-Skyactiv D and existing plug-in hybrid variant. The large Japanese SUV, which has registered more than 25,000 orders worldwide since its launch, has a rate in our country of 4.8719 euros for the access diesel version with campaigns and discounts included. Jumping to the AWD version with the most powerful engine costs an additional 3,600 euros.
