Diesel performance flagship for Mazda6 range

Mazda will launch a new turbodiesel six Down Under in December. And with an increase of 31kW and 40Nm over the oiler it replaces, it is set to become the de facto performance flagship of the entire Mazda6 range.
 
The turbodiesel 6 returns to the range after a short hiatus -- with the arrival of the new larger current 6 generation earlier this year, the diesel model was shelved in anticipation of the new powerplant. The car will now return to showrooms in both hatch and wagon variants in time for Christmas, and Mazda says it will start at "under $40K".
 
The all-new turbodiesel engine under the new 6's hood is literally brand-new and shares nothing with the PSA-sourced 2.2-litre turbodiesel used in the 6's distant Ford cousin, the Mondeo.
 
The engine will be unveiled at the Paris motor show early next month. A 2.2-litre DOHC four with high-pressure common rail direct-injection, variable geometry turbo and all the latest in hi-tech diesel paraphernalia; the engine produces 136kW at 3500rpm and 400Nm from 1800rpm. Though official ADR fuel stats are still to be ratified, Mazda expects the car to at least match its predecessor at 5.9L/100km (combined).
 
As noted above, the output is a substantial increase on the last generation Mazda6 diesel (still fitted to the Mazda3 turbodiesel on sale Down Under) and also tops the 2.5-litre petrol four (125kW/226Nm) that powers the rest of the new Mazda6 range. Indeed, in torque terms the new MZR-CD 2.2 even betters the direct-injection turbo petrol engine fitted to the Mazda6 MPS all-wheel-drive sports sedan (190kW/380Nm).
 
Little wonder Mazda insiders are currently struggling with whether to promote the car as an economy or performance flagship for the 6 range. Mazda is playing up the "guilt-free performance" with its preview information on the car.
 
Mazda Australia Managing Director Doug Dickson said: "This spirited and economical new-generation engine will further cement Mazda's leadership as the only Japanese brand offering diesel-powered passenger cars for environmentally conscious Australians.
 
"This new diesel engine will deliver on the seemingly conflicting attributes of robust and refined, powerful and efficient. And we're confident it'll arrive with a compelling sub-$40,000 price."
 
Mazda is tight-lipped about the new MZR-CD engine's role away from the 6 range, however, conceded the engine would be well suited to the CX-7 softroader. Though a relatively strong seller for the brand Down Under, the turbo petrol powered crossover has a deserved reputation as being thirsty -- the new 136kW diesel could change that.
 
"It makes sense to leverage this technology in other vehicles," Mazda marketing boss, Alastair Doak told the Carsales Network. "A MZR-CD would be nice to have [in the CX-7], but at this stage it's not available."
 
Like the last generation model, the turbodiesel 6 will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission only. The lack of an automatic gearbox option could hamstring take-up in the crossover segment, but Doak is confident the manual gearbox is not a barrier for the diesel hatch and wagon.
 
This is in stark contrast to the attitude of Mazda's chief rival -- Honda. To date, Honda has steadfastly declined to offer a turbodiesel Accord Euro Down Under until a suitable auto is in the range.
 
"Obviously we would like it [an automatic. But] All our business case and sales volumes are based on manual-only."
 
Doak said he expected the turbodiesel 6 to account for around 100 units per month. Full specification and equipment details will be revealed closer to the car's December local launch, he said.
 
Mazda recently reduced its pricing across the Mazda6 range (more here), following a less than enthusiastic buyer response to the larger new-generation car.
 
Since then 'a perfect storm' of economic factors and, according to Mazda boss Dickson, the sharpest drop in consumer confidence in 15 years, has the overall new car market off by more than 12 per cent. Thus the jury is still out on whether the 6's strength with private buyers will return or has been damaged by the move.

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