digifish
3rd December 2008, 09:32 PM
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59359&vf=12
It may offer a more efficient diesel engine option but the Mazda6 diesel still can't be had with an auto transmission.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_01_m_m.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)
2008 Mazda6 Diesel Sports hatch
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http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_01_t_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_02_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_03_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_04_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_05_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_06_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_07_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_08_l_t.jpg
Related Photo Galleries and Videos:
icon (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59362&vf=12&GalleryType=1)
2008 Mazda6 Diesel wagon (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59362&vf=12&GalleryType=1)
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Video Gallery
Mazda has added an efficient diesel engine option to its Mazda6 mid-sized car.
However, the more powerful 2.2-litre engine that will power the wagon and diesel sports hatchback – they're the only two models to get the diesel option – is no more fuel-efficient than the 2.0-litre diesel version that powered the previous generation Mazda6.
It's also still only available with a manual gearbox.
At an official claimed fuel use of 5.9L/100km for the hatch and 6.0L/100km for the wagon, fuel use is unchanged - but still up to one-third below petrol-powered mid-sized cars - despite the addition of the latest direct injection technology. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are about the same as the old engine, at 156g/km for the hatch and 159g/km for the wagon.
What it is, though, is so much more than the old engine launched in 2006. Performance is up, with power increasing by 31kW to 136kW, and torque by 40Nm to produce a handy 400Nm.
There's some kudos, too. Until Subaru's four-cylinder boxer layout arrives in 2009, Mazda remains the only Japanese car maker offering a diesel-engined passenger car in Australia. However, the Mazda6 diesel will compete with diesel vehicles from Holden, Ford and Hyundai.
Pricing puts the diesel wagon and hatch at the premium end of the Mazda6 range. At $36,690, the wagon represents a $1200 premium over the base-model Classic, the only other version of the Mazda6 wagon on sale.
Mazda has taken a different tack with the $43,890 diesel hatch, a $2900 premium over the equivalent six-speed manual hatch fitted with the petrol engine. It's the most expensive car in the line-up, and will be marketed as the "Mazda6 Diesel Sports".
Sports? Mazda's claim is that the 2.2-litre engine (called MZR-CD) is such a leap that a racy, eager engine now lives and breathes under the bonnet.
At the official press launch there were even comparisons to show that the Mazda6's deep well of fourth-gear torque could out-accelerate a V8 in the 60-120km/h sprint, an indication of how well the car can perform an overtaking manouvere. Maximum torque kicks in from 1800rpm, peaking at 3000rpm.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_08_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_07_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_06_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_05_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)
One of the key features of the new engine is the attention that Mazda's engineers paid to how smoothly and quietly it runs. The 2.2-litre unit is effectively an enlargened version of the old cylinder block but with the increased use of aluminium.
Gone is the timing belt of the 2.0-litre diesel, which needs a change every 100,000 km. The new engine gets a maintenance-free timing chain and cleaner running to reduce visible emission.
At the moment, the only transmission available with the diesel engine is the six-speed manual.
While the majority of mid-sized vehicles sold have an automatic transmission - in keeping with a trend towards more autos - Mazda claims the lack of an automatic option will have little impact in buyers' minds. Pushing the hatch as a premium sports car, where there is a preference for manual transmissions, is part of the strategy.
However, Mazda Australia has again asked head office to look into developing an automatic transmission for the diesel, but given Europe's leaning towards the manual shifter and Australia's comparitively low sales of the oil-burner, it's unlikely.
Mazda has committed to replacing all its drivelines from 2011, so if it does come it will be a long wait.
Mazda's team acknowledges that the impressive torque would be ideal for larger, high fuel use petrol-engined cars, primarily the CX-7 and CX-9 petrol movers. But these two cars are big sellers in the US, where preference is only for petrol engines mated to automatic transmissions. Still, there's a chance at least one could be offered with a diesel.
It may offer a more efficient diesel engine option but the Mazda6 diesel still can't be had with an auto transmission.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_01_m_m.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)
2008 Mazda6 Diesel Sports hatch
‹scroll | Move your mouse over the thumbnails below to scroll | scroll›
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_01_t_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_02_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_03_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_04_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_05_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_06_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_07_l_t.jpghttp://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_08_l_t.jpg
Related Photo Galleries and Videos:
icon (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59362&vf=12&GalleryType=1)
2008 Mazda6 Diesel wagon (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59362&vf=12&GalleryType=1)
icon
Video Gallery
Mazda has added an efficient diesel engine option to its Mazda6 mid-sized car.
However, the more powerful 2.2-litre engine that will power the wagon and diesel sports hatchback – they're the only two models to get the diesel option – is no more fuel-efficient than the 2.0-litre diesel version that powered the previous generation Mazda6.
It's also still only available with a manual gearbox.
At an official claimed fuel use of 5.9L/100km for the hatch and 6.0L/100km for the wagon, fuel use is unchanged - but still up to one-third below petrol-powered mid-sized cars - despite the addition of the latest direct injection technology. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are about the same as the old engine, at 156g/km for the hatch and 159g/km for the wagon.
What it is, though, is so much more than the old engine launched in 2006. Performance is up, with power increasing by 31kW to 136kW, and torque by 40Nm to produce a handy 400Nm.
There's some kudos, too. Until Subaru's four-cylinder boxer layout arrives in 2009, Mazda remains the only Japanese car maker offering a diesel-engined passenger car in Australia. However, the Mazda6 diesel will compete with diesel vehicles from Holden, Ford and Hyundai.
Pricing puts the diesel wagon and hatch at the premium end of the Mazda6 range. At $36,690, the wagon represents a $1200 premium over the base-model Classic, the only other version of the Mazda6 wagon on sale.
Mazda has taken a different tack with the $43,890 diesel hatch, a $2900 premium over the equivalent six-speed manual hatch fitted with the petrol engine. It's the most expensive car in the line-up, and will be marketed as the "Mazda6 Diesel Sports".
Sports? Mazda's claim is that the 2.2-litre engine (called MZR-CD) is such a leap that a racy, eager engine now lives and breathes under the bonnet.
At the official press launch there were even comparisons to show that the Mazda6's deep well of fourth-gear torque could out-accelerate a V8 in the 60-120km/h sprint, an indication of how well the car can perform an overtaking manouvere. Maximum torque kicks in from 1800rpm, peaking at 3000rpm.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_08_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_07_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_06_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/12/02/mazda6_diesel_05_l_t.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=59361&vf=12&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=59359)
One of the key features of the new engine is the attention that Mazda's engineers paid to how smoothly and quietly it runs. The 2.2-litre unit is effectively an enlargened version of the old cylinder block but with the increased use of aluminium.
Gone is the timing belt of the 2.0-litre diesel, which needs a change every 100,000 km. The new engine gets a maintenance-free timing chain and cleaner running to reduce visible emission.
At the moment, the only transmission available with the diesel engine is the six-speed manual.
While the majority of mid-sized vehicles sold have an automatic transmission - in keeping with a trend towards more autos - Mazda claims the lack of an automatic option will have little impact in buyers' minds. Pushing the hatch as a premium sports car, where there is a preference for manual transmissions, is part of the strategy.
However, Mazda Australia has again asked head office to look into developing an automatic transmission for the diesel, but given Europe's leaning towards the manual shifter and Australia's comparitively low sales of the oil-burner, it's unlikely.
Mazda has committed to replacing all its drivelines from 2011, so if it does come it will be a long wait.
Mazda's team acknowledges that the impressive torque would be ideal for larger, high fuel use petrol-engined cars, primarily the CX-7 and CX-9 petrol movers. But these two cars are big sellers in the US, where preference is only for petrol engines mated to automatic transmissions. Still, there's a chance at least one could be offered with a diesel.