2019 New York Auto Show: 2019 Mazda CX-5 with Skyactiv-D Diesel Engine

2019 Mazda CX-5 with Skyactiv-D Diesel Engine finally … introduced its much-anticipated diesel engine at the 2019 New York International Auto Show. More from the New York Auto Show The first recipient of the diesel will be a loaded version of the company’s CX-5 compact crossover, Mazda’s best-selling model. Going by the catchy name of (take a breath) CX-5 Signature AWD with Skyactiv-D, it is said to go for a cool $41,000, about $3000 more than the gas-powered version. What three grand gets you is a 2.2-liter twin-turbo diesel putting out 168 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 290 lb. ft. of torque at 2000 rpm. Compared to the Signature’s standard 2.5-liter turbo gas engine — itself new for 2019 — the diesel is down from 59-82 horsepower (depending on whether the gas engine is being fed regular- or premium-grade fuel) and 20 lb. ft. of torque. So what’s the attraction? Fuel economy, primarily. Skyactiv-D Diesel Engine Most of the benefit comes in city driving, where the diesel is rated at 27 mpg vs. the gas model’s 22, with the highway figure coming in at 30 vs. the gas model’s 27 … figure about a 17-percent improvement overall. But what’s perhaps most surprising about the diesel are its “speed” figures. Although the 4000 rpm where peak horsepower lives is itself high for a diesel, Mazda says the redline — the maximum recommended engine speed — is an astronomical (for a diesel) 5500 rpm! That’s spinning. Although Mazda gave no firm delivery…