Mazda continues to drive electric

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Diesel is dead, so it comes from almost every boardroom in the auto industry. In future electric vehicles, maybe we can still talk about hydrogen propulsion. Mazda cares little. The manufacturer from Hiroshima, Japan is now bringing its top model, the CX-60, with a new turbodiesel in addition to the plug-in hybrid.

The inline six-cylinder engine is based on the previous four-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 2.2 liters. The new one now comes in 3.3 liters and is available in two performance variants. In addition to more horsepower thanks to more displacement, there is also new technology for more efficient combustion and less noise. The efficiency of the engine should be more than 40 percent. For comparison: Previous diesels are between 35 and 40 percent. After the first meters driven it becomes clear: This Mazda doesn’t sound like a diesel. Nothing vibrates, nothing spikes, even when the engine is still cold.

two power levels

As the e-Skyactiv D 200, the CX-60 delivers 200 hp (147 kW) and a maximum torque of 450 Nm. Enough to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. According to the WLTP standard cycle, it should manage with CO₂ emissions of 5.0 l/100 km – 128 to 130 g per kilometer. The more powerful D 254 we drove has 254 hp (187 kW) and 550 Nm and accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Consumption: 5.2 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions are between 137 and 139 g/km.

While driving, you can feel the 254 hp in the two-ton truck, which is less than expected. Sure: Mazda moves fast, but it’s more of a touring car for the long haul than a sprint capable one. The diesel engine responds immediately, as an additional electric booster built into the transmission contributes 153 Nm of torque and thus plugs the starting hole typical of diesel. This 48-volt system also helps to save fuel thanks to recovery during braking.

Also convincing: precise steering and almost imperceptible gearshifts of the new 8-speed automatic transmission without torque converter. There is only one thing that spoils the round picture: the rather stiff suspension. On bad roads, the Mazda rumbles quite violently and sometimes slams into the small of your back. The Mazda CX-60 is available with the new turbodiesel and 200 hp at 54,900 francs, a minimum of 60,350 francs has to be paid for the 254 hp variant.

Source: Blick