Falling oil prices may finally make diesel fuel more attractive to Americans. If so, let me be the first to suggest the Mazda6 diesel starting shipping to the U.S. immediately.
The Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel completed a 24-hour marathon run of the ATP test oval in Papenburg, Germany, to set the 24-hour world speed record in its class at 137.37 mph. Actually, all 3 Mazda6 models on the track shattered the old record of 130.30 mph.
The best part? The record wasn’t entirely set by professional drivers. Among the 23 drivers from 7 European Union countries were journalists and car enthusiasts. Mazda hooked them up through a contest. Maybe it was something along the lines of, “In 100 words or less, tell Mazda how you can help break a speed record.”
During their 1.5-hour time behind the wheel, they were not allowed to follow in the slipstream of a preceding car and needed to be exceptionally careful in the steeply banked curves at each end of the oval to avoid losing speed, according to Mazda.
In total, the Mazda6 models covered 3,293 miles. Their SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel produces 172 horsepower and an amazing 310 lb. ft. of torque.
Mazda had announced at the 2012 LA Auto Show that the US would be receiving a 2014 model. It hasn’t happened yet and we can only hope a 2016 model hits our shores.
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