Mazda, which recently introduced the new CX-60 on a new platform with a front-wheel drive and primarily rear-wheel drive, is also developing diesel and petrol in-line six-cylinder engines for the platform. But what sounds like heavenly music to fans and old lovers may actually be a swan song.
–
“This will most likely be the latest generation of internal combustion engines, so we are preparing for the strictest emission standards and then we will adjust,” Automotive News Europe website quotes Joachim Kunz, a member of the technical development team at Mazda’s European development center.
–
It is no surprise that the carmaker is preparing for very strict emission standards, as the Euro 7 standard is due to take effect within two or three years and its wording is still unknown. But that these engines should be the last generation of combustion engines is a new thing.
–
Mazda is so far one of the carmakers that has not announced the end date of internal combustion engines in its offer. Older reports say that he wants to have the entire offer electrified by 2030 – but all variants of hybrid drives are also hidden under this concept. And in-line six-cylinder cars are supposed to be mild hybrids.
–
Talking about the latest generation of internal combustion engines also does not mean the same thing as talking about the latest generation of a car model. While car models tend to have life cycles of five to eight years, exceptionally – such as the current Mazda 6 – a few years longer, engines can survive on offer much longer with modifications. The preparation for the “strictest standards” suggests that Mazda might have something like this planned.
–
Despite the uncertainty about the strictness of the Euro 7 emission standard, the carmaker believes that the 3.3-liter turbodiesel can handle it. According to Kunz, the relatively large volume of 3.3 liters means that the engine will have enough power even after the emission “throttling”. Stricter emission standards often mean reduced performance.
–
However, the Motor1 website provides power and torque values for this engine, probably preliminary and below the Euro 6d standard. It should have 231 hp and 500 Nm alone and 254 hp and 550 Nm in combination with a mildhybrid system. He also writes that diesel will be on offer across Europe with the possible exception of Norway.
–
