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View Full Version : Mazda6 to debut diesel-powered racecar at Rolex 24 in Grand-Am GX Class



MRnewsBot
12-11-2012, 09:48 PM
Mazda6 to debut at Rolex 24, plans to race in Grand-Am GX class


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8266179936_746b731d4a_c.jpg

Mazda - The Mazda6 will be the first-ever diesel-powered vehicle to race in the Rolex 24.


In 2013 The Rolex 24 is going to see something it has never seen before: a diesel-powered race car.

On Thursday, Mazda North American Operations announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the racing version of the 2014 Mazda6 will make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race on January 26-27 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Mazda6 race car 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 will be seeking its 24th class win in the American endurance classic, having most recently won in 2008 and 2010.

John Doonan, Motorsports Director for Mazda North American Operations, talked about the new race car.

“We have been eager to announce this car for months, but had to wait until the production car was revealed. The SpeedSource engineering team, working with the Mazda engineers, have been flat out for months on engine development. We're happy to report that the engine is meeting the performance targets for both power and endurance. That means 400+ hp for over 50 hours, with an engine that includes a very long list of production Mazda parts. This is not a pure race engine; it is a production block Skyactiv-D. We're excited about having our newest engine powering our newest car.”


Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121129/grand_am/121129856#ixzz2Enn7Evy5

MRnewsBot
12-11-2012, 10:02 PM
http://youtu.be/LEIEk1AVdl8

maharaj
12-11-2012, 10:45 PM
If this car wins or at least has a decent showing it will be interesting to see how many other manufacturers might start to look into diesel.

Phatmiata
12-11-2012, 10:48 PM
the 400+hp 4-cyl part has me interested. Miata engine swap anyone?

Martin
12-12-2012, 11:22 AM
400+ hp? What's the torque? Diesels I've seen have higher torque numbers than hp numbers.

Phatmiata
01-05-2013, 08:06 PM
Here she be !!!!!!!!!!! :frantic:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8350952275_fe3b4acc21_o.jpg

Unk577
01-12-2013, 09:08 PM
If this car wins or at least has a decent showing it will be interesting to see how many other manufacturers might start to look into diesel.

Diesels have been racing for decades. I believe there was a cummins back in the early days of INDY. Audi has dominated LeMans for most of the last 10-15 years. Peugot has come on board with Diesel. Porsche is now putting one in their SUV. Etc etc....

Put this motor in the ND and I'll be in the front of the line!

Stealth97
01-13-2013, 03:53 PM
Diesel. Great way to make your car sound, smell, and drive like shit.

Unk577
01-13-2013, 06:22 PM
You need to drive a modern diesel. They're a lot quieter now and you would enjoy having torque. The smell? Yeah well I don't smell it inside. Sorry if you're sitting next to me at the light and I leave you in a black cloud

HMT
01-14-2013, 11:53 AM
The smell? Yeah well I don't smell it inside.

Actually, you do if your car is a convertible (don't dare to call it "Roadster" with a Diesel)...

Unk577
01-16-2013, 09:36 AM
You're wrongly underestimating the performance of a diesel. Audi prototyped a diesel in the R8 but have shelved the idea due to finding a reliable transmission to handle the torque