Mazda briefly offered a disappointing diesel enginein its CX-5, but it was axed after two short years on sale.

The Japanese automaker has played it safe since then, only offering a range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines and the all-electric MX-30. In other markets, Mazda is a bit more ambitious with its powertrains.

The CX-60 crossover (not sold in the US) is now available with a 3.3-liter inline-six diesel engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system called the e-Skyactiv D.

We know this diesel engine would be incredibly efficient, but now Mazda has published the official figures. This is one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world, with a thermal efficiency of over 40%, and it's capable of achieving up to 56.5 mpg on the WLTP testing cycle (53.3 mpg in its more powerful guise).

The CX-60 Exclusive-Line trim with the e-Skyactiv D engine starts at £42,990 ($47,901) in the UK.

This base trim sends 197 horsepower to the rear wheels, though a 250-hp version with all-wheel-drive is also available for £45,630 ($50,842). Mazda will offer the £48,380 ($53,907) Homura and £50,730 ($56,525) Takumi trims exclusively with the higher output engine and AWD. Keep in mind that European vehicle prices do not directly correlate with prices in the US.

This new inline-six diesel is not the only exciting engine to be offered in the CX-60. Mazda will also sell the crossover with a 3.0-liter e-Skyactiv gas engine and an e-Skyactiv plug-in hybrid that produces 322 horsepower. The US may receive this PHEV powertrain in the upcoming CX-70 or CX-90 models.

Mazda has not announced any of its new rear-wheel-drive platform vehicles in the US, instead selling more conventional products like the 2023 CX-50, based on the older front-drive architecture.

"While the PHEV will be the biggest selling CX-60 in the UK, the new six-cylinder diesel is a fantastic example of Mazda's long-standing reputation for engine innovation, and it will be a superb choice for many retail customers looking for a high-quality large premium SUV with a clean and efficient diesel engine," said Mazda Motors UK Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson.

After the CX-60, Mazda will introduce five new electrified models over the next three years, including a larger CX-80 three-row model in 2023. A new Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture will make its debut in 2025, hopefully improving on the MX-30's pitiful 100-mile driving range.