A ceramic comprising predominately a cordierite-type phase approximating the stoichiometry Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈ and having a coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800 C.) of greater than 410^-7/ C. and less than 1310^-7/ C. and a permeability and a pore size distribution which satisfy the relation 2.108 (permeability)+18.511 (total pore volume)+0.1863 (percentage of total pore volume comprised of pores between 4 and 40 micrometers)24.6. The ceramic is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow, diesel particulate filters having a pressure drop in kPa that at an artificial carbon soot loading of 5 grams/liter and a flow rate of 26 scfm is less than 8.9-0.035 (number of cells per square inch)+300 (cell wall thickness in inches), a bulk filter density of at least 0.60 g/cm³ and a volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.67 J cm^-3 K^-1 as measured at 500 C.