Traditional Stop/Start systems are becoming more widespread as a way to conserve fuel when the car is stationary; most manufacturers have or will be implementing these kind of systems on their newer models.
Mazda has taken this idea and developed an interesting variation by ineffect ‘pausing’ the engine rather than stopping it, the carmaker claims this further improves fuel consumption.
Seen on the new Mazda3 2.0 Sport the system uses combustion energy to restart the engine quickly with only a little help from the starter motor in some cases which means less fuel is used in the process. This system can then restart the engine in only 0.35 seconds much quicker than most start/stop systems.
Although the system can be deactivated the driver can drive the car normally and take little heed from the system – a green indicator lamp shows that the start/stop system has cut off the engine as planned.
Mazda has included a second battery into the Mazda3; the main battery delivers general energy supply while the second battery is solely to restart the engine. Therefore when iStop shuts off the engine other electrical requirements remain live, such as audio, lighting, even climate control.
