The Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D MHEV has been named Large SUV of the Year in the high-profile News UK Motor Awards. Judged by the motoring experts across The Sun, The Sunday Times, Driving.co.uk and Luxx Magazine, the 2023 Motor Awards winners were revealed in London today.
Taking the coveted Large SUV of the Year accolade, the Mazda CX-60 diesel took the trophy in this highly competitive sector. Commenting on the award Rob Gill, The Sun Motors Editor, said: “the Mazda CX-60 is our stand-out winner as Large SUV of the Year as it really does everything for everybody. Practical, stylish, packed with all the tech and luxuries we love as standard, and powered by the cleanest and most efficient diesel engine in the world. Anyone who tows anything or travels big miles every week to earn a crust, needs a CX-60 in their life. It’s as simple as that.”
Launched in the UK in March this year, the all-new in-line six-cylinder 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel powered CX-60 joined the plug-in hybrid CX-60, which features a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 129kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery – in the CX-60 line-up. Offered in three highly specified model grades: Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi, the imposing strength of the Mazda CX-60’s beautiful and dynamic styling conveys the intelligence and elegance of the latest developments in Kodo design woven into the toughness of the striking front-engine, rear-wheel drive SUV architecture.
Demonstrating Mazda’s commitment to a multi-solution approach to sustainable mobility and the principal of the right solution at the right time, the Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv-D MHEV offers the perfect solution for many private buyers, higher-mileage drivers or anyone who tows regularly. Another example of Mazda’s never stop challenging approach to engine development, the all-new 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine features Distribution-Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) Technology. This highly innovative advanced combustion technology makes the new e-Skyactiv D unit one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world, achieving a thermal efficiency of over 40%.
Developed using the ‘right sizing’ concept which optimises displacement to improve both fuel and power efficiency, the all-new 3,283cc longitudinally installed common rail electric direct injection six-cylinder e-Skyactiv D unit is offered with a choice of two power outputs: 200ps and 450Nm with rear-wheel drive and 254ps and 550Nm with Mazda i-Activ AWD (all-wheel drive). Featuring a new 48v Mazda M Hybrid Boost system, the all-new diesel engine combines high output with excellent fuel economy. The combination of DCPCI and Mazda M Hybrid technologies contribute significantly to the CX-60’s frugal fuel consumption and low emissions.
The 200ps output engine is singularly offered in Exclusive-Line trim where it is matched to rear-wheel drive, additionally Exclusive-Line can also be specified with the higher-output 254ps version of the new engine and here features all-wheel drive. The Homura is offered exclusively with the 254ps AWD drivetrain, as is the range-topping Takumi grade.
As you’d expect from a Mazda, the new e-Skyactiv D powered CX-60 delivers an impressive blend of performance and efficiency, alongside the driver focused handling, impressive comfort and high-quality found across the CX-60 range. The 200ps engine returns a WLTP average fuel consumption of 56.5mpg with CO2 emissions of only 129g/km in rear-wheel drive Exclusive-Line guise, while the AWD 254ps Exclusive Line, Homura and Takumi WLTP average fuel consumption is 53.3mpg with CO2 emissions from 137g/km.
Refinement was also a key development goal of the all-new Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D diesel and the in-line six-cylinder configuration produces less vibration due to its characteristic ‘perfect balance’, for a smooth and quiet engine tone, whilst delivering a clean and engaging sound. The engine’s high torque delivery gives the CX-60 a 2,500kg trailer weight towing capacity, while as a result of its lightweight construction, the engine weighs similar to the 2.2-litre Mazda Skyactiv D four-cylinder diesel engine used in the Mazda CX-5, which helps handling balance.
Commenting on the Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D’s award success, Mazda Motors UK, Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson, said: “another demonstration of Mazda’s ‘Multi-Solution Approach’, the new diesel is designed to meet the needs of customers who want an efficient, long distance driving car with great towing capacity. So, it’s great that the car has been acknowledged in the 2023 Motor Awards, while the PHEV is the biggest selling CX-60 in the UK, the new six-cylinder diesel is a fantastic example of Mazda’s long-standing reputation for engine innovation and it will be a superb choice for many retail customers”.
The Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D MHEV’s success in the 2023 Motor Awards follows on from it being named Car of the Year and Best Large SUV in the 2023 Diesel Car Magazine Awards.
