Big six compression ignition choice could be added to large CX models, but there’s no need for it, brand says.

DIESEL seems set to have a second life in some sports utilities with relaxation of Clean Car emissions penalties, but it’s still dead to Mazda here.

The 3.3-litre six cylinder turbodiesel with 48 volt assistance that features in the CX-60, CX-80 and CX-90 family SUVs overseas, including in Australia, is conceivably available to those models here as well.

But don’t bother asking for it.

There’s no more temptation to take that power plant now than there was when the engine launched internationally in mid 2023 - a time when customers were paying emissions penalties directly.

The penalty system changed with a new National-led coalition. While distributors still foot a bill - which doubtless often passes onto customers - but there’s no actual loading on the recommended retails, as occurred under the previous Labour government.

Mazda New Zealand product and communications manager Paul Sherley says his operation’s sentiment that diesel is no longer worth having in big passenger sports utilities hasn’t altered in the fresh environment.

As much as the SlyActiv-D powertrain has been well received in markets it serves, Sherley says he cannot see reason for giving it a second consideration.

It’s largely because Kiwis have have given a positive thumbs up to the two petrol engines Mazda NZ went to, a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid and sis cylinder with 48 volt assist.

Does potential of poor public perception about Mazda passenger diesel engines also come into it?

The last passenger diesel it had here, a 2.2-litre that ran in the CX-5 and CX-70 SUVS, was prone to trouble and the distributor even replaced some under warranty. It has left the market.

Sherley says that wasn’t why the new six-pot diesel wasn’t considered. It’s all to do with sales trends suggesting few people are into compression ignition.

“We don’t offer diesel SUVs in our market anymore because there isn't that market demand that we see for those engines.

“We've gone down a more electrified and petrol powered avenue for the time being …

“Even if we look at the larger SUV segment, the share of diesel is decreased.

“People are changing their preferences around powertrains to fully electric in some cases, or petrol or petrol hybrid. There's diversification these days. We’re comfortable with that decision of sticking to plug-in hybrid and petrol hybrid.”

He agrees his is potentially not a universal opinion, noting that some importers have chosen to re-introduce diesel as an option.

One is Skoda, whose Kodiaq range is for now being led by a model with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that was dropped in 2022, because penalties were looming. The previous Kodiaq thereafter served up with just petrol engines.

Sherley says Kodiaq stands as a CX-80 competitor, but believes the Mazda has what it takes to see it off.