2009 Mazda6 MZR-CD diesel
September 17, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Mazda is set to introduce a new version of the Mazda6 diesel into the Australian market. This time however, the diesel engine has grown by 0.2-litre and gained some much needed power.
The new Mazda6 MZR-CD sports will be available in both hatch and wagon body styles and land in Mazda dealerships towards the end of the year. Mazda says given the power upgrade and the new look, the diesel 6 will become a genuine competitor to the expensive European luxury cars.
When most car companies say “power upgrade” it’s essentially to the tune of 5-10kW and not much else, using a new 2.2-litre turbodiesel, Mazda has increased power by a massive 31kW (compared to the the 2.0-litre engine found in the previous generation) to 136kW and squeezed out an additional 40Nm of torque to hit 400Nm (from 1,800 rpm).
Meanwhile the new 2009 Mazda6 MZR-CD is expected to maintain a similar fuel economy figure of 5.9L/100km to its predecessor.
“This spirited and economical new-generation engine will further cement Mazda’s leadership as the only Japanese brand offering diesel-powered passenger cars for environmentally conscious Australians. This new diesel engine will deliver on the seemingly conflicting attributes of robust and refined, powerful and efficient. And we’re confident it’ll arrive with a compelling sub-$40,000 price.” Mazda Australia Managing Director Doug Dickson said,
The new Mazda6 diesel’s power and torque will be managed through a six-speed manual transmission, once again the biggest complaint will remain. Where is an auto option for the diesel?
The Japanese giant says the company is committed to improving fuel economy by at least 30 per cent across the range by 2015 and the new Mazda6 MZR-CD is one of the first steps towards that goal.
Expect the new 6 in Australia by around December alongside its smaller brother the Mazda3 MZR-CD diesel ($29,500).
Print it: 
its time honda brings in diesel for accord euro….gem of an engine….just drove the diesel euro in UK on my last trip and is simply fantastic and fuel-efficient.
thats the same engine that Ford had in the Mondeo wagon they showed here at the Melbourne car show i think. Can’t wait to see that released in Oz. Good to see mazda using it as well.
awww, gotta love this:
“once again the biggest complaint will remain. Where is an auto option for the diesel?”
Finally, a car has a proper transmission and the first thing you guys do is bitch!
Just kidding! I’m with you, Automakers should offer both trannys! Especially AMG!! Gimme 630nm, RWD and a big, heavy clutch please :D
i thought mazda waited becuase they wnated an auto
I would buy a 6 before a Mondeo. It just has better street appeal
O, Mazda waited because they wanted the new 2.2L diesel as opposed to the 2.0L unit. Its a damn shame that they’re not offering a auto transmission, as im pretty sure honda said they were bringing one out for the Euro. The euro diesel would definitely steal a few sales from the 6.
But personally, i’d rather the manual transmission :-P
Amazing fuel economy..just about time for Japs to bring more diesel cars.
i am considering both the Mondeo wagon and this Mazda 6 wagon in diesel…..my personal taste is that the Mondeo has the better looks (more masculine if you like)and i believe more room all round as well but i will drive and consider both before deciding, also the no auto option in the Mazda is a big lazy mistake!
The new C5 wagon is on my radar as well BUT i think Citroen got a bit greedy with the price however i will also consider it because from the pictures i’ve seen the wagon is a real looker!!!! As far as street cred goes i’m a grown man with 3 boys and couldn’t give a F**k about that sort of stuff! peer pressure doesn’t exist in my life!!!
Nice power & torque figures, shame there’s no auto. But torque converter autos are now a old hatanyway due to their excessive fuel use.
Just guessing, but Mazda will probably bypass trad auto and go straight to a twin clutch which is the only way to go now (because of pressure on C02 emissions).
My guess is that Mazda is working on the auto option (whatever it is) and will be hopely available next year.
…oh and Genie, this engine is not the same one that is in the Mondeo. This engine is completely new and made by Mazda, the one in the Mondeo is made by Peugeot.
well, I was waiting until next year to see what the new Subaru Liberty was going to look like, but after seeing that damn ugly Exiga (or whatever it is in the Subaru section of this site), I am not holding my breath that it will beat the new Mazda6, at least not in the looks dept anyway. Nice one Mazda, will be taking the diesel for a test drive in Dec.
If they drop the new diesel in Luxury Sports spec, I’ll be the first at the dealer trading my Luxury Sports petrol in for one!
Mazda, please!
400nms! With that much torque you probably wont need to change gears much anyway, just stick it in 4th and let the motor do the work lol
anti-spam word = MPS3, the mazda i really want!
I will be trading my current Mazda6 MZR-CD in for one of these no probs….but 400NM….holy sheet!! the front tyres already have enough problems getting ripped by 350NM…and auto?! whats that?
Like the other chap said…you just stick it in one gear anyways and the engine does all the work. Oh and you have not tasted a good manual gearbox (for this price) until you have driven a mazda 6-speed box….bloddy slik!!
Counting the days :)
totally agree about the 6 speed ‘box, drove an MPS3 awhile ago. Bloody brilliant!
5.9litres and 400torques!
Makes K-rudds lecky camry positively rubbish
I want to know the price. Sub $40K? Wel $39,990 is sub $40K. I hope it’s in the range $30-35K
You will only ever achieve 5.9 L/100 on the freeway believe me! Typically around town its more like 7.8 L/100 coz you can’t help but lay the boot in regularly coz its too easy!!
Want that gap in the traffic….zoom….its in simple as that! whatever gear you are in.
Its cheap for the quality thats fo sure…
…disclaimer/ I don’t work for Mazda :)
Carl Says:
September 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am
its not Mazda that is lazy its people that buy auto’s and you reckon that then Mondeo is more blokey sorry auto just doesnt cut it…and Ford may have tried hard but the Mondeo is still the bridesmaid.
Baji clearly has no clue about the accord and mazda 6! the mazda 6 sales are killing the accord in all aspects and with the new T/diesel coming out soon this will furher inforce than supremecy even without a auto which is still being developed. Why are you Australians so lazy you can’t drive a manual car?
I just put a deposit on a diesel and eagerly awaiting, i only wanted a manual but agree a auto would be handy round town. I was looking to wait for a Mondeo in Sept they say but drove one in NZ for a week and then a 6 here for a few days and the 6 is the better unit hands down. Build quality, street appeal and fuel economy wins hands down!
I have had my 2009 Desiel Wagon for 6 months now……………This car would be the best car I have driven for a long while…..30,000ks on the clock and getting 850 -900Kms per 60 litres. Also the grunt is fantastic!!! ZOOM ZOOM