The Mazda CX-60 won the Best Large SUV title in the 2023 Fleet World Awards. With a choice of a PHEV Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 129kW electric motor or a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery or all-new in-line six-cylinder 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel mild-hybrid powertrain, the Mazda CX-60 sits at the top of Mazda’s award-winning SUV line-up.
The new diesel version is expected here in Ireland very soon, but pricing for the Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D in Ireland is still hasn’t been confirmed. Expect it to cost more than the plug-in hybrid variant, which starts at €54,100 for the ‘Prime-Line’ version.
Mazda may offer only one diesel version here, and that would then be the more powerful diesel, which has all-wheel drive as standard. In addition, specification grades have not yet been confirmed, as we go to press.
The Fleet Awards said of the new power-plant, that it was another example of Mazda’s never stop challenging approach to engine development. The all-new 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine features distribution-controlled partially premixed pompression ignition (DCPCI ) technology.
It adds that this highly innovative advanced combustion technology makes the new e-Skyactiv D unit one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world, achieving a thermal efficiency of over 40 per cent.
Developed using the ‘right sizing’ concept which optimises displacement to improve both fuel and power efficiency, the all-new 3,283cc longitudinally installed common rail electric direct injection six-cylinder e-Skyactiv D unit is available with a choice of two power outputs: 200ps and 450Nm with rear-wheel drive and 254ps and 550Nm with Mazda i-Activ AWD (all-wheel drive ). As mentioned earlier, the latter may be the only one offered to Irish buyers.
Featuring a new 48v Mazda M Hybrid Boost system, the all-new diesel engine combines high output with excellent fuel economy. The combination of DCPCI and Mazda M Hybrid technologies contribute significantly to the CX-60’s frugal fuel consumption and low emissions.
The awards jury commented that as you’d expect from a Mazda, the new e-Skyactiv D powered CX-60 delivers an impressive blend of performance and efficiency, alongside the driver focused handling, impressive comfort and high-quality found across the CX-60 range.
The 200ps engine returns a WLTP average fuel consumption of 56.5mpg with CO2 emissions of only 129g/km in rear-wheel drive Exclusive-Line guise, while the AWD 254ps.
It added that refinement was also a key development goal of the all-new Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D diesel and the in-line six-cylinder configuration produces less vibration due to its characteristic ‘perfect balance’, for a smooth and quiet engine tone, whilst delivering a clean and engaging sound. The engine’s high torque delivery gives the CX-60 a 2,500kg trailer weight towing capacity, while as a result of its lightweight construction, the engine weighs similar to the 2.2-litre Mazda Skyactiv D four-cylinder diesel engine used in the Mazda CX-5, which helps handling balance.
Later this year, the company will launch a new model, the Mazda CX-80, which is larger than the Mazda CX-60 and features three rows of seating.
