Mazda likes to do things differently, and I’m a big admirer of its engineers who think outside the box.
The world downsizes engines so 1.0-litre three-cylinder motors are commonplace even in large cars. Mazda sticks a 1.6-litre unit in its small cars theorising a bigger engine doesn’t have to work as hard, so uses less fuel. Which in practice works.
And here we are again. In the week news breaks that the EU will allow new cars powered by internal combustion engines after 2035, if they can be run on sustainable fuels, we are driving a Mazda fitted with a new diesel engine. That’s right, a DIESEL. It gets better, too: the engine fitted to this CX-60 SUV isn’t something straightforward like a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, it is a 3.3-litre straight-six engine.
I also admire Mazda for its incredibly well refined concepts. Because this is the cleanest diesel engine in the world, easily meeting upcoming Euro7 emissions regulations.
The engine features a “Distribution Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition” technology, or DCPCI. This gobful essentially describes a new type of combustion process. Plus this new engine’s thermal efficiency is over 40%. To put that into context, most
passenger cars with petrol engines typically have a thermal efficiency of just over 20% (diesels are more efficient, but not as good as the Mazda engine). A Formula One engine has 52-54% efficiency.
The engine is available with two power outputs: 200PS, only in Exclusive-Line trim, which drives only the rear wheels, and a 254PS version, with a four-wheel drive system. Both use the same eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Since Mazda tells us the more powerful engine is going to be favourite with CX-60 buyers, we’ll concentrate on that one. Both diesel powertrains feature 48v mild-hybrid systems.
We’ve already met the CX-60. In autumn Mazda introduced its latest SUV with a PHEV powertrain, again doing it differently with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine and a relatively large 17.8kWh battery. We liked the car but found the electric-only range disappointing considering the battery size.
The version of the CX-60 is the fastest car Mazda makes, quicker even to 62mph than the MX-5 sports car. The new diesel engine with this 254PS is a couple of seconds slower to 62mph but still manages 7.7seconds. The engine is smooth and quiet but emits a rather nice bass grumble when you put your foot down.
Mazda claims 53.3-54.3mpg combined fuel consumption. We managed 40mpg but that was in Scotland where the roads are less crowded and the locals know how to drive well and briskly. Driven with less gusto I don’t doubt the official figure is reachable. In the lower powered car we averaged 46mpg driving in a similar exuberant fashion.
Our test car is in top of the range Takumi trim and costs, with options added, £50,730. Not outrageous. It feels luxurious, too, with attractive trim.
There’s plenty of legroom at the front, comfy seats and lots of old-school switches and knobs via which all major systems can be controlled. The infotainment does its job and is easy to use via a rotary controller. There’s not a huge amount of rear legroom and the rear seat back is rather upright to maximise boot space – a decent 570 litres. There’s one task this CX-60 will excel at – one that electric vehicles are unsuited to – towing caravans or boats, with a towing limit of 2,500kg.
Diesel engines are still a popular choice in big SUVs, particularly those made by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, so Mazda’s choice to build an entirely new one is not as eccentric as it seems. With a potential range between fills of over 500 miles, the CX-60 doesn’t seem like a crazy idea to me.
