The North American International Auto Show isn’t even in the record books yet but already plans are being made for the next major motoring showcase.
Step forward the Geneva Motor Show in March, where the Mazda Motor Corporation will make the world premiere of its new Minagi compact crossover concept that combines SKYACTIV technologies.
The Minagi comes with a SKYACTIV engine and a SKYACTIV transmission and chassis that allow for weight reduction and ample safety features. There will also be a host of exhibits devoted to the SKYACTIV technologies.
If you’re not familiar with SKYACTIV, it is set to be included in the new Mazda2 that will first go in sale in Japan later this year. There are actually six SKYACTIV technologies in total:
- SKYACTIV-G: A next generation efficient direct-injection petrol engine that results in 15 per cent increases in fuel efficiency and torque.
- SKYACTIV-D: A next generation clean diesel engine that meets Euro 6 emission regulations with 20 per cent better fuel economy.
- SKYACTIV-Drive: A highly efficient automatic transmission that achieves excellent torque transfer efficiency thanks to a wide lock-up range and the best attributes of all transmission types. It also delivers a four-seven per cent fuel economy improvement compared to current transmissions.
- SKYACTIV-MT: A next generation manual transmission optimised for front wheel drive layouts with improved fuel economy thanks to reduced friction.
- SKYACTIV-Body: A next generation highly rigid body with excellent crash safety performance.
- SKYACTIV-Chassis: A next generation high performance lightweight chassis that is around 14 per cent lighter than the previous version.
