Mazda To Suggest Diesel-Hybrid (In Japan Only) While U.S. Diesels Still MIA
2015 Mazda Mazda6
Mazda’s American customers are still waiting on their very first diesel model, but the Japanese brand could soon suggest its home-market customers a diesel hybrid option too.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun (via Autoblog Green), Mazda could commence building diesel-hybrids as early as 2016.
Mazda was due to launch a diesel version of its Mazda6 midsize sedan back in the Spring, complementing its range of fuel-efficient Skyactiv gasoline models.
That launch date was delayed by an unspecified length of time back in January, as Mazda needed to ” produce the right balance inbetween fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving spectacle”.
Back in June, Mazda spokesperson Beverly Braga told us that “Mazda remains committed to bringing the Skyactiv-D clean diesel technology to North America”, tho’ there is no set date until “the final product meets [Mazda’s] expectations.”
It leaves Mazda fans in the U.S. without a model to contest against diesel Volkswagens and the latest influx of luxury diesel models.
The decision to make a diesel-hybrid is an unusual one for Mazda–the company has previously been dismissive of hybrid vehicle technology, putting its faith into ever-improving gasoline engines. More recently, Mazda switched its tune–announcing a hybrid version of the Mazda3 compact, also for Japan.
The diesel-hybrid is likely to use a fairly plain setup, with electrical power providing assistance to the diesel engine–but it could prove very efficient.
On the city-focused Japanese test cycle, the Mazda hints the fresh car could achieve up to ninety five miles per gallon.
While that has absolutely no parity with the EPA standard used in the U.S, a better metric is the eight percent better economy promised over the Toyota Prius C, badged Aqua in Japan. That equates to a combined figure around the fifty four mpg mark.
Mazda SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine – Courtesy Mazda
Japan, traditionally skeptical of diesel vehicles given its crowded city streets, has seen phat increases in diesel sales in latest years: last year’s tally of 76,000 vehicles was 1.9 times greater than 2012’s diesel sales.
Diesel hybrid models are notable by their relative absence both in the U.S. and even in the pro-diesel European market.
Just four automakers suggest diesel hybrids in Europe–Peugeot, Citroen, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz.
The French and Swedish makes use a through-the-road setup with electrified power to the rear wheels alone, while Mercedes uses a more traditional setup, slotting an electrical motor inbetween engine and gearbox to provide electrical assistance.
While the economy benefits are potentially good, weight, cost and complication all increase, and the benefits uncommonly offset the initial price paid by the customer.
If Mazda can price its diesel-hybrids competitively, it could be onto a winner. Whether the car will ever hit the American market may depend on whether the regular diesel ever precedes it.
Mazda To Suggest Diesel-Hybrid (In Japan Only) While U
Mazda To Suggest Diesel-Hybrid (In Japan Only) While U.S. Diesels Still MIA
2015 Mazda Mazda6
Mazda’s American customers are still waiting on their very first diesel model, but the Japanese brand could soon suggest its home-market customers a diesel hybrid option too.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun (via Autoblog Green), Mazda could begin building diesel-hybrids as early as 2016.
Mazda was due to launch a diesel version of its Mazda6 midsize sedan back in the Spring, complementing its range of fuel-efficient Skyactiv gasoline models.
That launch date was delayed by an unspecified length of time back in January, as Mazda needed to ” produce the right balance inbetween fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving spectacle”.
Back in June, Mazda spokesperson Beverly Braga told us that “Mazda remains committed to bringing the Skyactiv-D clean diesel technology to North America”, however there is no set date until “the final product meets [Mazda’s] expectations.”
It leaves Mazda fans in the U.S. without a model to contest against diesel Volkswagens and the latest influx of luxury diesel models.
The decision to make a diesel-hybrid is an unusual one for Mazda–the company has previously been dismissive of hybrid vehicle technology, putting its faith into ever-improving gasoline engines. More recently, Mazda switched its tune–announcing a hybrid version of the Mazda3 compact, also for Japan.
The diesel-hybrid is likely to use a fairly plain setup, with electrical power providing assistance to the diesel engine–but it could prove very efficient.
On the city-focused Japanese test cycle, the Mazda hints the fresh car could achieve up to ninety five miles per gallon.
While that has absolutely no parity with the EPA standard used in the U.S, a better metric is the eight percent better economy promised over the Toyota Prius C, badged Aqua in Japan. That equates to a combined figure around the fifty four mpg mark.
Mazda SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine – Courtesy Mazda
Japan, traditionally skeptical of diesel vehicles given its crowded city streets, has seen meaty increases in diesel sales in latest years: last year’s tally of 76,000 vehicles was 1.9 times greater than 2012’s diesel sales.
Diesel hybrid models are notable by their relative absence both in the U.S. and even in the pro-diesel European market.
Just four automakers suggest diesel hybrids in Europe–Peugeot, Citroen, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz.
The French and Swedish makes use a through-the-road setup with electrified power to the rear wheels alone, while Mercedes uses a more traditional setup, slotting an electrical motor inbetween engine and gearbox to provide electrical assistance.
While the economy benefits are potentially superb, weight, cost and complication all increase, and the benefits infrequently offset the initial price paid by the customer.
If Mazda can price its diesel-hybrids competitively, it could be onto a winner. Whether the car will ever hit the American market may depend on whether the regular diesel ever precedes it.