Mazda goes diesel and dust
Mazda confirmed its plans to launch a diesel passenger car at Sydney… And delivered a taste of dirt road racer…Australia's favourite imported brand, Mazda confirmed plans to launch a diesel-engined version of its top-selling Mazda6 next year at AIMS.
Claimed to deliver fuel economy of just 6.0lt/100km, Mazda chief Doug Dickson said the Mazda6 diesel uses 46 per cent less fuel per 100 kilometres than the most fuel efficient version of Australia's top-selling passenger car, Holden's Commodore.
Mazda says it's the first volume-selling car maker to commit to selling a diesel passenger car in the increasingly fuel-sensitive Australian car market. To go on sale in the second half of next year, the Mazda6 diesel will be able to travel more than 1050km on a single tank according to Mazda.
The 6 diesel will be offered in both sedan and wagon and accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 9.5 seconds. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine develops 105kW and 360Nm of torque at just 2000rpm.
Also staring on the Mazda stand was a rally-ready Mazda2.
The second of Mazda's local Extreme showcars, the Mazda 2 Rally Concept features a stripped-out interior, bonnet-mounted driving light pod with four Hella Rallye lights, chunky Dunlop Direzza rally tyres, 15x6.5 Compomotive wheels and WRC-style roof-mounted fresh-air vent.
Developed by Mazda's motor sport manager, Allan Horsley, the Mazda2 Rally is literally race ready. Dickson said plans to rally the car would be unveiled in due course.
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