Only one was missing from the roll call: the Mazda CX-60 diesel more than ever before. powerful than the 200 HP version tested some time ago. With the test drive of the CX-60 3.3-litre 249 HP, in fact, the circle of dynamic tests linked to the new SUV from the Japanese comes full circle, a car that certainly gets people talking for two reasons.
The first is; which is available in a Plug-In hybrid version and in a diesel version, moreover with an engine that is not the same in terms of displacement; by no means underpowered compared to the units; of less than two liters that we often find in circulation. The second is; that it is a large-sized SUV, with lots of space on board and high-level finishes, while remaining on figures that – in today's market – make it a best buy compared to competitors in the same segment and even compared to some rivals in the segment lower…
ZERO CO2 EMISSIONS FUELS 
It's called the Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuel, the name kilometers for an association that promotes technological research on the use of biomass to produce neutral fuel towards the environment because it is environmentally friendly. bioethanol is produced and the CO2 generated during the process is used so as not to emit it into the atmosphere.
The association is was founded by ENEOS, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu and Toyota and Mazda has been founded by ENEOS, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu and Toyota. united with the Japanese group by pursuing a well-defined strategy also geopolitically given that these are Japanese brands. The idea behind it is; that the future must be zero-emissions, but to achieve this goal neutrality is needed; technology and possible alternative solutions to electricity should not be excluded, including biofuels and e-fuels (Italy also seems to want to get involved).
Just with regard to eFuels, Mazda in 2021 took the lead. united with the eFuel Alliance, and this new collaboration looks at the other side of "green" fuels, the one that exploits biomass instead of making synthetic fuels.
Taking advantage of the question-and-answer session at the CX-60 event, however, Mazda is not the only one to talk about. by no means contrary to the electric one, but its position differs from other producers because it; aims to offer a range of alternatives that will serve both to accompany the transition, for those who can, and in any case to maintain more flexible options in the future. traditional but with limited environmental impact.
The Japanese want to go down this path not only with biofuels and eFuel, but also with continuous research to squeeze the technical limits of heat engines and therefore make combustion more efficient. efficient: greater efficiency in burning fuel means better transformation of the energy vector into energy for the engine and, consequently, “burns everything” and emissions are reduced, including particulate matter.
Precisely for this reason, the event is open to all participants. Professor James Turner of the Clean Combustion Research Center was invited. The professor's point of view was that there is still room for improvement in internal combustion engines, partly with hybridization being the latest development. already occurred, in part by working on the incremental development of current technologies.
According to Turner, the heat engine must be included in the conversations about the technologies of the future because it is the most important. it is economical in materials, in production processes and in the storage of the energy necessary for its operation. Even diesel, according to the professor, must remain the protagonist, and here the research work looks in the direction of energy losses due to heat and efficiency improvement, a path taken by Mazda with the latest Skyactiv- D.
By working on these aspects, and counting on the fact that today diesel remains the best in terms of efficiency and therefore the thermal engine that emits the least CO2, provided that the particulate that represents a greater risk is filtered. immediate for man (while carbon dioxide is a climate-altering agent).
Mazda's strategy is currently in its phase 2, the one inaugurated with the 24V mild hybrid and the Skyactiv-X, then continued with the arrival of the first electric (MX-30) and the Skyactiv modular platform for the most advanced models; compact. Today the Japanese focus on the “large product” group, the larger models with a longitudinal arrangement of the engine (those of the “small” group were characterized by the transversal arrangement).
Here we find the six-cylinder in line (petrol, diesel and Skyactiv-X), the Plug-In hybrid (with four-cylinder petrol) and the 48V Mild Hybrid used for diesel engines, in addition to the new 8-speed automatic transmission without torque converter. After this cycle, Mazda will focus on around 2025 on the launch of Skyactiv EV, the new modular platform for electric cars.
In the meantime, 2023 will bring a new year. as a novelty the 7-seater Mazda CX-80 in late 2023 and the new Mazda MX-30 with the Wankel as a range extender.
249hp DIESEL TEST 
How's the fastest diesel Mazda CX-60 doing? powerful? Let's start immediately by specifying, for those who have read some international news or evidence, that the most powerful diesel engine; powerful (3.3 litres, 254 HP and 550 Nm of torque, all-wheel drive) will be in Italy; proposed with 249 hp. The reason? Guess what…
However, five horsepower does not change what in practice proves to be a pleasant SUV, with good driving dynamics only affected by a slow return of the steering (it requires a little more movement of the arms) and a great engine that consumes very little.
The weight is important (1,884 kg), the dimensions are generous (4.74 metres), but the 3.3-litre diesel already had a lot more to offer. proved to be perfectly sized in the 200 HP and 450 Nm version, thus relegating this 249 HP to a niche that perhaps wants a little more; in terms of performance, or for those who have specific uses in mind and therefore, for example, always travel heavily loaded or often tow something (the maximum is 2,500 kg). The rest doesn't change, and I told you about it in this test:
Mazda CX-60, now it's diesel's turn: huge, powerful and fuel efficient | Review 328
Auto 12 Feb
It is worth remembering that, in addition to the work on efficiency with DCPCI technology, Mazda's diesel combines the 48V mild hybrid which positions the electric motor (12.4 kW, 153 Nm) between two clutches. In line, we therefore find starting from the rear the six-cylinder diesel, the electric and the transmission.
Translating the theory into reality, not only is the declared figure of 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers; very realistic, but the urban and extra-urban routes of the test demonstrated how regeneration can really often be exploited, albeit limited by the small size of the battery (0.33 kWh).
The result, this time without a race to those who consume less, it is; an average consumption between 4.9 and 6 liters per 100 kilometres, extremes which respectively represent a calm drive (but not sluggish, following the traffic) and a motorway or extra-urban stretch with much more speed. heavy.
Prices are lower. higher than the 200 hp version because; here it is! The four-wheel drive is standard and the entry-level equipment is not available. Prime Line (on the 200 HP rear-wheel drive it costs 49,900€) but Exclusive Line which on the 249 HP 4×4 starts at 55,550€.
MAZDA CX-60 DIESEL CONFIGURATOR
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