Mazda is working on its second generation of its Skyactiv fuel-saving technology which will double the efficiency achieved with the first generation which debuts this year.
"By 2015 almost all Mazda vehicles will use Sky technology," Seita Kanai, head of Mazda research and development told Headlineauto at the Geneva Motor Show. "This will make cars 23 per cent more efficient.
"Then, between 2016 and 2020, we roll out second generation Skyactiv which will reduce emissions by the same amount again," he said. This will be achieved by applying lean-burn technology to the engines – something not done with the first generation of Skyactiv – while continuing to reduce vehicle weight and improve transmission efficiency," he added.
"We have reduced weight by 100kg with generation one and will do the same again with generation two," he said.
Skyactiv is a blanket term for the car maker’s innovative next-generation technologies that are being developed under the company’s long-term vision for ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’. The name is intended to reflect Mazda’s desire to provide driving pleasure as well as outstanding environmental and safety performance in its vehicles. To achieve this goal, Mazda has developed optimised an transmission and fuel efficient, direct injection petrol engine and a low compression diesel engine. The Japanese car maker is also making use of electric devices such as regenerative braking to further boost the efficiency of its cars.
While hybrids can reduce emissions by between 40-45 per cent, the big advantage of Skyactiv will be that it can be applied to all models in the range so it is technology from which all customers benefit.
"Skyactiv is affordable but our yardstick is not just emissions and fuel economy but zoom-zoom – our cars must be fun to drive," Kanai said. "Many customers will sympathise with that."
The ultimate zoom-zoom is a sports car but the MX-5, with emissions of between 170g/km and 180g/km is not sustainable. "To make it sustainable we have to dramatically improve emissions otherwise it’s only available to a few customers – but we want everyone to enjoy it."
By 2015, nearly every Mazda will benefit from Skyactiv with the first car for Europe, the CX-5 crossover, unveiled yesterday at the Geneva show as the Minagi concept.
