This is the Skyactiv-D 2.2 L turbocharged diesel engine which has sequential dual turbochargers and common rail electric direct injection tech onboard. That allows it to put out 168 hp and a stout 290 lb-ft of torque. And that torque is delivered down low in the rev range which is exactly where you need it. Now acceleration is more like a steady continuous wave of power rather than going to warp 9 on the Starship Enterprise. Which is still fine to get you on the highway and around slower vehicles. The other thing that I have to say is that this engine is quiet by not only diesel standards, but by any standard. On the highway, it’s silent. In city environments you can barely hear the familiar rattle of a diesel if you go looking for it. To further underline this, I took four people in the CX-5D and simply told them it was a CX-5. One person was German and one was English. The reason why I am mentioning that is that those are places where diesel vehicles are prevalent. So they should be able to spot that this is a diesel. I then drove them for about 15 minutes and asked them to comment on how quiet the CX-5D was. They all reported that the vehicle was very quiet. That’s when I told them that this had a diesel under the hood. They didn’t believe me until I showed them this:
This is of course the nozzle for diesel fuel. On the right is the nozzle for the AdBlue liquid that helps to control emissions. Upon seeing that they were all floored that a diesel engine could be this quiet.
If you want a quiet diesel engine, this is it.
The six speed transmission that’s mated to this engine is well sorted and always seems to be in the right gear to power all four wheels. In fact the iActiv AWD system is one reason in my opinion that the CX-5D Signature is able to get the power to the road. Not to mention it will keep you on the straight and narrow when driving in inclement weather. Handling is one area where Mazda definitely improved things on the CX-5D Signature. There’s less body roll in the CX-5D Signature and it is extremely nimble. Likely because Mazda brings G-Vectoring Control Plus to the party as it helps you to carve corners like you’re on rails. The ride is solid without beating you up. And the steering, which for the record was already good is sharper and more direct. In short, this is the best handing and driving compact crossover that you can get without paying for a vehicle from Germany.
So let’s get to the part you care about. What’s the fuel economy? Before I give you what I am currently getting, let me tell you what the CX-5D is rated for. It’s rated fo 8.9 L/100KM city and 7.9 L/100KM highway. But you can do better than that. I am currently doing 8 L/100KM in mixed city and highway driving, but on a drive from Mazda Canada’s HQ to Cherry Beach Park on the lakefront to do the photoshoot for this review, I got this fuel economy:
Now this was 85% highway driving to be fair. But it is still impressive.
Tomorrow I will discuss the interior which can be described in two words: “Class Above.” Tune in tomorrow to find out why.
Classcraft Secures $10 Million CAD Series A Financing
Posted in Commentary on September 17, 2019 by itnerdClasscraft, a learning company focused on improving student motivation in the K-12 education market, has closed its Series A financing, raising a total of $10 million CAD. The funding round, led by Investissement Québec, will enable Classcraft to achieve its mission of making school more meaningful by promoting human connections between students and teachers. Classcraft’s existing investors — including Whitecap Venture Partners, Brightspark Ventures, and MaRS Catalyst Fund — also participated in the round.
L-R Lauren Young (CFO), and Classcraft co-founders, Shawn Young (CEO), and Devin Young.(president)
Classcraft’s Series A financing enables the company to deepen its ability to motivate students by harnessing the power of games. The company aims to build on its success offering its product to K-12 teachers — in 2019, Classcraft surpassed 6 million users since its debut — by partnering with schools and districts on large-scale implementations. To scale the company’s sales efforts, Classcraft has appointed its first-ever Chief Revenue Officer: Michele Shively, who most recently served as vice president of sales at Nearpod.
Classcraft’s approach to helping educators motivate students is rooted in the power of games, which have become a cultural phenomenon among young people — and which are designed to create intrinsic motivation.
For Investissement Québec, the investment represents the firm’s interest in making a lasting social impact through education and in supporting entrepreneurship in Quebec.
AI research partnership with University of Montreal professor
Classcraft’s efforts to foster meaningful personal connections come at a time when dramatic shifts in our society — including politics, the economy, and culture — have left many feeling disengaged. To help address this problem, Classcraft has broadened and deepened its ability to foster connectedness and belonging through technology and media.
Earlier this year, Classcraft announced a partnership with Thierry Karsenti, University of Montreal professor and Canada Research Chair on Technologies in Education to research the responsible use of AI to engage K-12 students in the U.S. and Canada.
In June, Classcraft debuted Story Mode, which pushes the boundaries of what it means to go to school by helping teachers recreate the type of shared experience delivered by popular TV shows and games.
Leave a comment »