The New York International Auto Show saw Mazda showcase a series of new engine and transmission concepts that improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Known as the SKY Concept engines and transmissions, they will be rolled out from 2011. The SKY-Drive six-speed automatic transmission offers a driving feel comparable to a dual clutch while improving fuel economy by five per cent. Meanwhile fuel economy improves by 15 per cent on the SKY-G (petrol) compared to current petrol engines; and 20 per cent on the SKY-D (diesel) engines, compared to today’s 2.2litre diesel. Torque is also improved.
The products benefit from weight reductions, improved aerodynamic design and the fuel-saving start-stop system known as i-stop. This will help as the company aims to meet Mazda’s global 2015 fuel economy improvement goal of 30 per cent and its objective to slash CO2 emissions by 23 per cent compared to 2008 levels.
Making the announcement, Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s president and CEO, stated that the SKY-D engine will launch in the US in 2012 and revealed that Mazda’s next generation mid-sized diesel car will achieve fuel economy of 43mpg – placing it ahead of today’s mid-sized hybrids. The engine will later be rolled out to global markets along with the SKY-G.
The plans to introduce the fuel economy conscious engines come shortly after Mazda reached an agreement with Toyota on the supply of the hybrid system technology used in the Toyota Prius. Mazda will combine the hybrid system with the SKY-G direct injection petrol engine to develop and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan.
