Burning bright? Exec says diesel will be the main engine for the Volvo XC60-rivalling 2023 Mazda CX-60 range

Despite European countries legislating to ban diesel-powered cars, Mazda still believes it’s a fuel source with a future, and describes the Skyactiv-D 3.3-litre, six-cylinder diesel in its new CX-60 as “the main power unit” for its attractive assault on the premium SUV market.

The program director for the Mazda CX-60, Kohei Shibata, claims the diesel engine takes “driving pleasure and outstanding environmental performance to a new level”.

“In Japan, we have a lot of diesel models, so this engine will do very well here, in Europe there will be more plug-ins (the CX-60 also has a range-topping, PHEV variant and a straight-six petrol version) and in Australia there might be more turbo-petrol sales, but I think it will depend on the country, which is why we have a multi-solution approach,” Shibata told CarsGuide in Hiroshima.

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“But in terms of whether diesel will be the main one globally, it might well be evenly spread across all three (variants) in the end.

“Australia also has a good understanding of diesel and at Mazda, diesel is something we believe still has a lot of promise and opportunities for the future.

“This is my personal view, but if you look around there many people who don’t have access to charging equipment, there are no charging stations for them, and given then, maybe diesel is a very practical option for them, given that it can be driven a very long distance.”

Shibata also explained that the CX-60’s diesel variant, which CarsGuide just drove in Japan, uses a bigger engine, not just for the sake of providing more power for its large SUV (which weighs just under two tonnes) but to improve fuel economy.

After what feels like decades of downsizing when it comes to engine sizes, it sounds like a bold and radical approach, but it’s one that’s assisted by the use of a 48-volt mild hybrid system and a new eight-speed double-clutch automatic transmission.

Shibata compared the CX-60’s diesel mild hybrid - which makes 187kW and 550Nm - to a 1.8-litre CX-3 diesel (no longer sold in Australia), which makes just 270Nm and uses 5.3 litres per 100km. The CX-60 diesel claims a fuel economy figure of 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle, and CO2 emissions of 128g/km.

The all-wheel-drive diesel Mazda CX-60 starts at ,800.

He explained that the larger displacement engine was able to increase torque while decreasing fuel consumption and emissions, and simultaneously reducing NOx emission in the high torque range.

“The mild hybrid system delivers excellent fuel economy while delivering a driving experience so pleasant and comfortable that drivers won’t notice there are two power sources,” he added.

Shibata also claimed that the Skyactiv-D 3.3-litre engine makes an “exciting sound”, which customers will want to play with “like a musical instrument”.

The all-wheel-drive diesel Mazda CX-60 starts at $61,800.