In a press release today Mazda have announced a major overhaul of their power-train and chassis systems under their new SKYACTIV Technology banner…
CEO Takashi Yamanouchi, expressed his desires when he commented that, “Mazda is renewing its entire power-train and platform lineup at the same time as revolutionizing every manufacturing process from R&D through to mass production. There have been no compromises in addressing conflicting goals. Instead, we have implemented a ‘breakthrough’ approach to technical innovation in all areas that has produced incredible, unexpected results. One of our success stories is the next-generation engine that will first appear in the Mazda Demio which goes on sale in the first half of 2011. Achieving an outstanding 30 kilometers per liter fuel economy, the SKYACTIV Demio will be a fun-to-drive fuel sipper that will satisfy anyone’s desire for driving pleasure. And there will be many more exciting new products coming to the Mazda lineup in the years ahead.”
30 km’s per liter is simply outstanding fuel economy in anyone’s language and there’s no sign of the word “hybrid” in sight! 7tune can’t wait to sample the new developments.
As for the engines, they will come in the following configurations:
( Click on the thumbnail for enlarged Hi-Resolution images )
1. SKYACTIV-G
A next-generation highly-efficient direct-injection gasoline engine that achieves the world’s highest gasoline engine compression ratio of 14.0:1 with no abnormal combustion (knocking)
* The world’s first gasoline engine for mass production vehicles to achieve a high compression ratio of 14.0:1
* Improved engine efficiency thanks to the high compression combustion, resulting in 15 percent increases in fuel efficiency and torque
* Improved everyday driving thanks to increased torque at low- to mid-engine speeds
* A 4-2-1 exhaust system, cavity pistons, multi-hole injectors and other innovations enable the high compression ratio
* Improved engine efficiency thanks to the high compression combustion, resulting in 15 percent increases in fuel efficiency and torque
* Improved everyday driving thanks to increased torque at low- to mid-engine speeds
* A 4-2-1 exhaust system, cavity pistons, multi-hole injectors and other innovations enable the high compression ratio
2. SKYACTIV-D
A next-generation clean diesel engine that will meet global emissions regulations without expensive NOx aftertreatments — urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or a Lean NOx Trap (LNT) — thanks to the world’s lowest diesel engine compression ratio of 14.0:1
* 20 percent better fuel efficiency thanks to the low compression ratio of 14.0:1
* A new two-stage turbocharger realizes smooth and linear response from low to high engine speeds, and greatly increases low- and high-end torque (up to the 5,200 rpm rev limit)
* Complies with global emissions regulations (Euro6 in Europe, Tier2Bin5 in North America, and the Post New Long-Term Regulations in Japan), without expensive NOx aftertreatment
* A new two-stage turbocharger realizes smooth and linear response from low to high engine speeds, and greatly increases low- and high-end torque (up to the 5,200 rpm rev limit)
* Complies with global emissions regulations (Euro6 in Europe, Tier2Bin5 in North America, and the Post New Long-Term Regulations in Japan), without expensive NOx aftertreatment
3. SKYACTIV-Drive
A next-generation highly efficient automatic transmission that achieves excellent torque transfer efficiency through a wider lock-up range and features the best attributes of all transmission types
* Combines all the advantages of conventional automatic transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, and dual clutch transmissions
* A dramatically widened lock-up range improves torque transfer efficiency and realizes a direct driving feel that is equivalent to a manual transmission
* A 4-to-7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current transmission
* A dramatically widened lock-up range improves torque transfer efficiency and realizes a direct driving feel that is equivalent to a manual transmission
* A 4-to-7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current transmission
4. SKYACTIV-MT
A light and compact next-generation manual transmission with crisp and light shift feel like that of a sports car, optimized for a front-engined front-wheel-drive layout
* Short stroke and light shift feel
* Significantly reduced size and weight due to a revised structure
* More efficient vehicle packaging thanks to its compact size
* Improved fuel economy due to reduced internal friction
* Significantly reduced size and weight due to a revised structure
* More efficient vehicle packaging thanks to its compact size
* Improved fuel economy due to reduced internal friction
5. SKYACTIV-Body
A next-generation lightweight, highly-rigid body with outstanding crash safety performance and high rigidity for greater driving pleasure
* High rigidity and lightness (8 percent lighter, 30 percent more rigid)
* Outstanding crash safety performance and lightness
* A “straight structure” in which each part of the frame is configured to be as straight as possible. Additionally, a “continuous framework” approach was adopted in which each section functions in a coordinated manner with the other connecting sections
* Reduced weight through optimized bonding methods and expanded use of high-tensile steel
* Outstanding crash safety performance and lightness
* A “straight structure” in which each part of the frame is configured to be as straight as possible. Additionally, a “continuous framework” approach was adopted in which each section functions in a coordinated manner with the other connecting sections
* Reduced weight through optimized bonding methods and expanded use of high-tensile steel
6. SKYACTIV-Chassis
A next-generation high-performance lightweight chassis that balances precise handling with a comfortable ride feel to realize driving pleasure
* Newly developed front strut and rear multilink suspension ensures high rigidity and lightness (The entire chassis is 14 percent lighter than the previous version.)
* Mid-speed agility and high-speed stability — enhanced ride quality at all speeds achieved through a revision of the functional allocation of all the suspension and steering components
* Mid-speed agility and high-speed stability — enhanced ride quality at all speeds achieved through a revision of the functional allocation of all the suspension and steering components
These are significant developments within Mazda and they are certain to cause plenty of discussion but one thing I didn’t see any of in this press release was in regards to what Mazda is planning to do with the Rotary engine… could it be that the little rotary isn’t in Mazda’s plans for the future?
Adam Zillin
Source – Mazda Japan
Pictures – Mazda Japan