Automatic transmission still doesn’t like downshifting.

 

Thanks, yes we have seen this a while ago since it was published in March 2012.

The rumor of a 2.5L Skyactiv engine is still to be confirmed by Mazda or any reliable source.

 

The diesel with the manual is really a blast to drive, TONS of torque for the little engine and GREAT fuel mileage! Its not so loud either, 173HP and 310lbft torque, all from a compression ratio of 14:1!!!! Yes I have been considering getting one, just too expensive though

 

Unfortunately, due to emissions or some other crap, the DIESEL in any Mazda is currently non-existant in North America, especially in Canada.
I read threads with Mazda Diesels and they must be in European markets but not North America! Can't wait for Diesel!

 

Since the US has almost completely moved to ULSD the European diesels will be compatible with the fuel there, that has been the big reason why there are so few Euro diesels in the US, the sulfur poisons the emissions control equipment and renders them inoperable so they always had to redesign the engines to cope with the sulfur. You should start to see Euro diesels there within the next 2 years I would guess.

 

Are the VW/Audi TDI diesels sold successfully in the US same as Euro diesels? Recently I read that a majority of A3's sold in US are now diesels.

 

Originally yes and no, they may have been the same block in the past but MUCH different emissions bolted on, the US is much stricter on NOx than Europe is, if it couldnt be sold in California they really didnt bother to bring it to market in the US. They can sell diesels now in the US due to advents like AdBlue and such, lets them pass emissions easier. The diesel for the Q7 was actually designed in North America and shipped over to Europe for a change. As for Mazda I imagine they are just getting all their ducks in a row so the engine wont flop or not pass CARB regulations. When the CX-5 arrives with the diesel from here it will be spectacular, it really is MUCH more fun to drive than a gas powered one and as for here it is also MUCH cheaper to fill up the tank, for example the gas powered CX-5 would cost you $96 to put in 14 gallons (14.8 gal tank) while the diesel would be $85.80 for the same amount. Doesnt sound like much of a savings but the base diesel here is only $2400 more than the base gasoline so lets go further (hope I dont go too far of topic....) lets say you drive 25 miles a day this August, M-F, and fill up at the end of the month, the gasoline car will burn damn near the whole tank, 14.67 gallons and that would cost you $100.72 for that amount, the diesel will burn 11.25 gallons in the same time and cost $68.95 in the month and still have fuel for a few more days. Over a work year with no vacations or holidays(261 this year, crazy worker) the gas car will use 166.4 gallons for a total of $1142.48 while the diesel will use 127.6 gallons for a total of $782.04, it will take you 6.7 years to pay off the premium of the diesel engine cost IF prices stay the same (doubt it). Mind you these are prices where I live and I just happen to live in the cheapest place for fuel in Europe, diesel is always 20-30 cents cheaper than gasoline here. In short if you have the option for the diesel go for it, not just for moneys sake but for driving pleasure, it really is better if you can handle the fueling up smells and spills :P

Ok math over, I hate math anyways, sorry for the swerve off topic.

 

Thanks for the European perspective on diesels. Here in the US, usually diesel costs more than gasoline, so the math is somewhat different.

Let's see how Mazda (and some of the other automakers) address problems with DPF and rising oil levels. I do expect the diesel Mazda CX-5 to come to US in 2013. I think the driving characteristics of the diesel are ideal for a SUV.

Like California, I see that latest/near future European regulations regarding emissions are very strict also. I just returned from a trip overseas including 4 days in Manila, there I saw just how bad widespread diesel stench/black particulate filth/toxic emissions can be without controls and particulate filters, glad it's not like that here.

 

An advantage with diesel is no spark plugs or ignition to worry about (not to mention great torque). Down side: glow plugs, noisier and those damn fuel filters usually and additives required in colder weather. And that stupid DPF thing i am always hearing about (not sure what that is-----diesel particulate filter?!-----light coming on?).
Tirol can you shed some light here?! I've driven a diesel for a bit, never had to take one in for service. Don't know much about them.

 

DPF is a filter they put in the exhaust to capture the particulates (black smoke), once the filter is plugged the computer has two methods of cleaning it out depending on engine design, one method is by firing the injectors on the exhaust stroke (GM, Volvo, probably others), the other method (Ford IIRC and possibly others) is a dedicated fuel injector in the exhaust before the DPF, either way this injects fuel directly into the exhaust stream to raise the DPFs temperature enough to completely burn all the soot out. DPFs have only so many "regeneration" cycles before they need replacement and that is NOT cheap, replacement DPFs for the 2.0 TDI Mazdas run about $600-$750. DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid-AKA AdBlue) is a second system that injects a mixure of high purity urea (think pee) and water (bet its not just tap water) into the exhaust as well, this fluid reduces NOx by catalysing the NOx to NH3 (ammonia), N2 (nitrogen) and water, this fluid has to be filled up occasionally but the usage is very low. Mazda is using special (I guess that also means expensive) ceramic glow plugs to help with cold starts since the compression in the CX-5 diesel is only 14:1, it also uses variable valve lift to keep the exhaust valves open to let hot exhaust from another cylinder INTO one that will fire soon, this preheats the cylinder about to fire to eliminate cold start issues, how reliable this will be after 10 years is anyones guess but I trust Mazda has tested these engines to the limit and beyond.