Diesel-powered passenger vehicles may get a rebirth thanks to Mazda keeping its word in bringing a diesel engine to the U.S. with its 2017 Mazda CX-5. The arrival of the diesel engine is not until the second half of 2017 but it is certainly worth waiting for.
The Hiccups Along The Diesel Engine's Journey
Autoweek reported that Mazda planned to bring a diesel engine to the U.S in 2010 but it went through three delays over the course of the past four years. The delays were caused by the diesel emission requirements of the U.S., which compared to what Japan and Europe have are considered more difficult to meet. "The fix came through adding a urea selective catalytic reduction treatment to scrub the exhaust of nitrogen oxide," said Masamichi Kogai, CEO of Mazda Motor Corp. Kogai also added that Mazda developed a compact selective catalytic reduction unit that not only reduced its cost but reduced its impact on engine performance.
Mazda's Commitment
Despite all the delays, Mazda showed how committed it was in bringing a diesel engine in the U.S. as it officially announced the introduction of the 2017 CX-5 that will be powered by SKYACTIC-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine. "Today's announcement is a clear signal that the auto manufacturers remain committed to clean diesel as a key option for meeting consumer needs for fuel-efficient vehicles without compromising performance or utility," said the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, Allen Shaeffer, in a report given by Fuel Market News.
The Finish Line Is Not Yet Crossed
While the arrival of the diesel engine from Mazda looks imminent at this point, the finish line has not yet been crossed. Following the scandal that the Volkswagen AG's diesel emission that painted a bad picture for diesel engines, Mazda will have to work on getting the U.S. auto market convinced about just how effective diesel engines can get.
