It can be ordered with or without a mild-hybrid system.
Rumours of a Mazda rear-wheel-drive platform featuring inline-six engines have circulated for years, but an official announcement was only made recently. The Zoom-Zoom company has finally made public its plans to launch RWD vehicles powered by 3.0-liter gasoline engines and 3.3-liter diesel engines. We’ll be sticking with the oil-burner specifications for now.
The standard SKYACTIV D 3.3 produces 228 horsepower (170 kilowatts), between 4,000 rpm to 4,200 rpm. From a low 1,500 to 3,000 rpm, the full torque of 500 Newton-meters (369 pounds-feet) is achievable. There’s also an e-SKYACTIVD variant of the diesel engine with a mild hybrid setup. The output is increased to 251 horsepower (187 kW) at 3,750 RPM, while torque increases to 550 Nm (406 Lb-ft), from 1,500 rpm up to 2,400 RPM.
The diesel straight-six is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission to send power to both axles of the recently released CX-60 SUV, which weighs approximately 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs). The SUV, which is powered by diesel, can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h), in just 7.3 seconds. It also has a top speed exceeding 137 mph (220 km/h). Although technical specifications of the 3.0-liter gasoline engine are not available, we can at least compare it with the 2.5-liter plug in hybrid model. The engine combines a four-cylinder, naturally aspirated gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce a total power output of 323 horsepower (241 kW), at 6,000 rpm, and 500 Nm (369 Lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm.
The CX-60 PHEV version is heavier than the standard model, weighing in at 2,050 kg (4,519 pounds). The gasoline-electric SUV can sprint in just 5.8 seconds, or 1.5 seconds faster than the diesel, despite carrying an additional 150 kg (331 lbs). It can reach speeds of 124 mph (200 km/h) flat out.
Fun fact: The PHEV model is perfect at 50:50, while the diesel model is slightly heavier at 55:45. The plug-in hybrid model comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. The 17.8-kWh battery pack provides up to 39 miles (63km) of electric range for the WLTP combined cycle.
The global CX-60 will also be available in the USA as a CX-70. Mazda also plans a three-row CX-80 to be sold in international markets. It will be joined by a CX-90 US. All of them will arrive within the next two-years.