Mazda Makes Its Move: Diesel Comes Down Under

Motoring Channel Staff - 20/Oct/2006

Melbourne, Australia — Mazda has added weight to the diesel debate in Australia by announcing that it will sell the new Mazda6 Diesel models in Australia, priced from $35,205. Expected to be in dealerships by the end of the month, Mazda will sell the new mid-sized diesel-powered vehicle in two body styles - wagon and hatch.

Powered by 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines, the new Mazda6 Diesel range will output 105kW of power and 360Nm of torque, and fuel savings are expected to drive interest for the new cars: Mazda says the new diesel models consume just 5.9L/100km on the combined city/highway drive cycle.

The Mazda6 is one of the most popular mid-sized vehicles on Australian roads, and the fact that one of Australia's top five selling marques has joined the diesel crowd is significant. While European marques have been selling diesel-powered passenger cars in Australia for years now - companies like Peugeot, Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi - the Mazda6 along with vehicles like the Holden Astra diesel (also launched in 2006) signal a change for mainstream car makers in Australia.

This makes Mazda, which is the country’s top-selling full-line importer, the only Japanese car maker offering a diesel passenger car in the fuel-sensitive Australian car market. But you can expect Honda to fire a return salvo with the 2.2-litre Accord Euro in 2007.

Mazda says the Mazda6 Diesel hatch and wagon consume on average just 5.9L/100km - according to government fuel economy tests - and can travel more than 1000 kilometres on a tank of fuel. Fuel economy is even more impressive on the highway, observes Mazda, with consumption for the hatch and wagon falling to just 5.0L/100km, giving a potential cruising range of more than 1250km from the 64 litre tank if driven on highways and freeways.

Mazda Australia's managing director, Doug Dickson, said the new diesel model will further cement the Mazda6's position in the Australian car marketplace: "The Mazda6 petrol range has enjoyed great sales success and critical acclaim. The addition of a state-of-the-art diesel hatch and wagon will ensure that it remains the country's favourite medium segment import.

"Customer feedback from motor shows helped cement our plans to import a hatch and wagon diesel model, with these body styles proving to be popular choices. The hatch, with more than 50 per cent of petrol Mazda6 sales, continues to be the most popular body style, while adding a diesel to the wagon gives us a manual version in this body style for the first time," said Mr Dickson.

Mazda Australia expects to sell about 50 Mazda6 Diesels per month, with 30 of those likely to be the hatch, and 20 the wagon.

"Fuel economy has become a hot topic of late and we expect it to remain an important consideration for car buyers. Offering the spacious, fun to drive Mazda6 with a fuel economy rating of just 5.9L/100km will give customers an opportunity to purchase a stylish, 5-seat, safe family car without performance compromise or fuel bill worries," added Mr Dickson

Combining with a six-speed manual transmission, the Mazda6’s 2.0-litre engine features the latest diesel technology and backs up its impressive fuel economy with strong performance and clean exhaust emissions.

Mazda explains that the direct injection and turbocharged Mazda6 diesel also promises a sporty drive with the Mazda designed, engineered and manufactured 2.0-litre, direct injection engine producing a class-leading 360Nm of torque for impressive pulling power, while 105 kilowatts of power doesn't sound like much, it's par for the course in regards to 2.0-litre diesel engines, as they don't rev half as highly as petrol engines.

In terms of performance, the Mazda6 hatch diesel accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds, and compared to the petrol models there are a few minor differences. 

As well as the diesel "MZR-CD" badging, the new Mazda6 Diesel gets a heavy duty 6-speed manual (shared with the high performance Mazda6 MPS model) to deal with the increase in torque, and minor suspension modifications have been made, with slightly firmer spring rates front and rear.

There is also the most obvious difference between the petrol and diesel models, and that is the engine. The Mazda6 diesel is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC). It makes the following power and torque: 

105kW @ 3500rpm
360Nm @ 2000rpm 

The engine is codenamed the MZR-CD, and utilises a state-of-the-art ceramic filter system to capture particulate matter, the Mazda6's diesel engine virtually eliminates diesel smoke, Mazda assures us. Once the filter has captured a pre-determined amount of particulate matter exhaust gas temperatures are raised to burn it off and regenerate the filter. The Mazda6 Diesel's engine also features a variable-geometry turbocharger, that pretty much improves torque delivery and power right across the rev range and helps eliminate the 'turbo lag' that sometime exists in forced induction combustion engines. It also has an intercooler mated to the turbocharger.

Mazda is also talking up the new diesel engine's low NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) levels. It says that multi-stage injection, which is performed up to nine times per cycle, prevents overly rapid pressure increase in the cylinders, suppressing diesel knock and other combustion noise. When the engine is idling the intake shutter valve restricts air intake volume to reduce cylinder pressure by about 25 per cent and suppresses idle knock, while the low compression ratio limits engine speed fluctuations and significantly lowers vibration.

For an in-depth look at the Mazda6 Diesel's new 2.0-litre engine, click here.

The Mazda6 Diesel wagon is priced at $35,205 and comes with the following standard features:

Climate control air-conditioning
16-inch alloy wheels (205/55 R16 tyres)
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Trip computer
6-stack CD
Wheel-mounted audio and cruise control switches
Remote central locking (w/deadlock function)
Power windows & mirrors,
Driver’s seat height adjustment
Telescopic and height adjustable steering

The diesel-powered hatch, which is priced slightly higher at $38,090, also gains a number of upmarket interior appointments usually found on luxury versions of the Mazda6. These include:

Leather seats
Bose sound system with 7 speakers
Power-operated driver's seat (three memory settings)

Mazda explains that, like their petrol counterparts, the Mazda6 Diesels boast impressive safety features such as six airbags (dual front, front side for driver and passenger and head protecting curtain airbags) and ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).Other safety items include a breakaway brake pedal to reduce possible foot, ankle and lower leg injury, plus anti-whiplash head restraints for the front seats while all three rear-seat passengers get a head restraint and a lap/sash seatbelt.

To ensure that cargo remains restrained at all times, the Mazda6 wagon comes with a roll-up net that fixes to the roof behind the rear seats, or from the floor to the roof when the second row seat has been folded flat.

Mazda6 Diesel Pricing:  

Wagon: $35,205
Hatch:   $38,090 

Related articles:
- Mazda6 Hatch: Road Test
- Mazda6 MPS: Road Test
- Mazda6: General Information