Mazda6 Grand-Am Racer to Showcase SkyActive-D

Mazda has used the Los Angeles Auto Show to announce plans to offer its first diesel engine in the United States.

Set to become available in the Mazda6 during the second half of 2013, the 2.2-liter SKYACTIV-D engine has a two-stage turbocharger and an ultra-low compression ratio of 14:1. Detailed performance specifications haven’t been released, but the European version has outputs of 148 bhp (110 kW) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque as well as 173 bhp (129 kW) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque.
While the diesel-powered sedan won’t be available for several months, a petrol-powered variant is scheduled to be launched in January. It will feature a 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine which produces 184 bhp (137 kW) and 185 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
To emphasize their support for diesel in the U.S. Mazda has also announced a racing version of the 2014 Mazda6 will make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race in Daytona Beach, Florida this January. The Mazda6 racecar will be powered by a Mazda SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine and is being developed for the new GRAND-AM GX class.  This will be the first time a diesel-powered vehicle of any type has ever raced at the Rolex 24.
Mazda has also confirmed that a unique racing version of the 2014 Mazda6 will make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race on January 26 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  The Mazda6 race car, previewed above, will be powered by a racing version of the SkyActiv-D diesel engine and will compete in the newly created Grand-Am GX class.

Source: Mazda