Mazda details new diesel hybrid engines for the CX-60.
Mazda has revealed details of a new powertrain for its CX-60 SUV, with two iterations of this hybrid diesel engine set to launch next year, although Australian details are yet to be confirmed.
The diesel engine options represent the first time we’ll see Mazda’s new e-Skyactive D technology, combining a 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder with 48v hybrid assistance. The more powerful model offers 187kW and 550Nm of torque, sending its power through Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive system. This is enough to accelerate the CX-60 from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds. The less powerful version musters up 147kW.
With the new CX-60, Mazda is placing Audi and BMW squarely in its sights. The company is moving upmarket to face premium German brands, and the CX-60 brings a sumptuous cabin, hybrid power, and a sleek design to the table to rival the BMW X3.
The CX-60 is larger than the CX-5 crossover and features an evolution of Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language that majors on simplicity and cleverly reflective surfacing. The bluff front end features a large, winged radiator grille that blends into the headlights with slim LED running light strips (which double as indicators), in keeping with Mazda’s current family face. Sharp grooves pick out the wheel arches and side sills, although the rest of the design is mostly clutter free. There’s a subtle twist in the bodywork along the flanks, with a pair of elongated tai-llights, quad exhaust tips and a roof spoiler finishing off the rear end – fitting for what will be Mazda’s most powerful series production car ever.
The CX-60 features brand-new powertrains across the range. As well as the new e-Skyactive D diesel options, it will be offered as a petrol plug-in hybrid, pairing a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 240kW. Drive is sent to all-four wheels through an eight-speed automatic, allowing the CX-60 to sprint to 100km/h from rest in just 5.8 seconds.
The electric motor is powered by a 17.8kWh battery which can be topped up in four hours from a home wallbox. Mazda claims that the CX-60 can drive up to 60km in pure-electric mode, at speeds of up to 100km/h and a claimed fuel consumption of 1.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Fuel economy drops somewhat for the mild-hybrid diesel models. The more powerful 187kW model achieves 5.3L/100km on a combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 137g/km and the lower powered model returns 4.9L/100km and 127g/km.
The 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel with 48V mild-hybrid tech will launch at the end of this year, with the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol model following in 2023, again with a mild-hybrid system and Mazda’s Skyactiv X spark-compression-ignition technology. These engines are compatible with both rear and all-wheel drive configurations.
The CX-60 uses Mazda’s Skyactiv Scalable Architecture, and adopts the Kinematic Posture Control system from the MX-5 sports car. This applies the brakes to the inside rear wheel to contain body roll, and the batteries for the hybrid system are mounted between the CX-60’s front and rear axles for more composed handling. Mazda claims the six-cylinder diesel powertrains weigh roughly the same as its existing four-cylinder 2.2-litre Skyactiv D, which should further help prevent body roll.
There are three drive modes to choose from; Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing and EV modes depending on the scenario, and Hill Decent Control allows the car to creep down steep, slippery slopes.
The CX-60’s cabin continues the premium theme, with top-spec cars trimmed in high-quality fabric, wood and leather. The multi-layered dashboard design features metal accents, too, along with a set of physical climate controls. A click wheel-operated widescreen infotainment display is joined by a fully digital instrument panel.
Despite the packaging complications of the hybrid system, the CX-60 offers 570 litres of boot capacity, which is on par with its rivals. The Mazda CX-60 is due to arrive in Australia later this year.
Alastair Crooks