Mazda 6 2.2D Sport (2008) CAR review

The new Mazda 6 diesel is bucking the current trend for downsizing. When every other manufacturer seems intent on reducing engine displacement through turbocharging, Mazda has replaced its 2.0-litre diesel with a 2.2-litre oil burner. The old 138bhp engine is dropped from the UK line-up completely (though it will still be available in certain foreign markets) and in comes the new MZR-CD 2.2 in three states of tune (123, 161 and 183bhp). Read on for CAR’s first drive of the new Mazda 6 diesel.

Why does the Mazda 6 get a big 2.2-litre engine? Is this a Ford engine?

The answer to the latter is no, this engine has nothing to do with the Ford-PSA engines. Mazda, despite its tie-ups with the Blue Oval, is still fiercely independent and because the cash was available, decided to build its own engine.

With a chain-driven balancer shaft, an aluminium-alloy block, an aluminium oil cooler and a plastic cam cover Mazda claims the new 2.2 is only 6kg heavier than the old 2.0-litre. Add in a variable geometry turbo with curved vanes, fuel injection through ten holes per injector at 200MPa, plus a ceramic matrix particulate filter (that Mazda claims is a world first) and you have the promising ingredients for a very good engine.

What are the on-paper figures like?

Over the old car’s 138bhp and 180lb ft you can now have 123bhp/227lb ft, 161bhp/265lb ft or 183bhp/295lb ft. Useful increases, but the fuel economy and emissions figures aren’t actually any better than before.

The 2.0-litre managed 50.4mpg and 147g/km CO2 (49.6 and 149 in estate guise), but the 2.2 can, at best, can only do 51.4mpg and 147g/km, while the 183bhp estate languishes behind with figures of 49.6mpg and 152g/km. Is this progress?