Mazda commits to diesel future as outputs of the 2022 CX-60's 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine revealed

Mazda will keep the faith alive in diesel with its box-fresh CX-60, expected to be launched in Australia later this year, as outputs of the new oil-burning powertrain are now confirmed.

The newly-developed 3.3-litre turbo-diesel engine outputs 170kW from 4000-4200rpm, while maximum torque of 500Nm is on tap from 1500-3000rpm.

This means the new CX-60 will easily outmuscle the outgoing 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre twin-turbo-diesel engine currently found in the Mazda6, CX-5 and CX-8, as well as other mid-size SUVs with a diesel option including the Hyundai Tucson (137kW/416Nm), Kia Sportage (137kW/416Nm), Peugeot 3008 (131kW/400Nm) and Volkswagen Tiguan (147kW/400Nm).

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Of note however, the CX-60 has two more cylinders than its mainstream rivals.

That isn’t all however, as the new engine and platform is able to accommodate electrification, and when a 48-volt mild-hybrid system is paired with the diesel engine, outputs rise to 187kW/550Nm, with the former available at 3750rpm and the latter from 1500-2400rpm.

Paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and with drive sent to all four wheels, the diesel-powered mild-hybrid CX-60 will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds – making it 1.5s slower than the plug-in hybrid flagship.

For reference, the PHEV variant produces 241kW/500Nm from a 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor combination, while its 17.8kWh battery enables an all-electric driving range of 63km.

Mazda’s CX-60 will also be offered with a 3.0-litre petrol six-cylinder engine, though details on that powertrain are yet to be confirmed.