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The new Mazda TAKERI and CX-5 , both with SKYACTIV technologies , will be on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
SKYACTIV Technology will make it possible for Mazda to reach its goal of a 30 percent improvement in the global average fuel economy of its vehicles by 2015 compared with 2008 levels. By 2015, about 80 percent of Mazda passenger vehicles will employ SKYACTIV Technology.
Mazda is also launching its new ‘KODO — Soul of Motion’ design theme.
SKYACTIV Technology and KODO design are fully integrated into the Mazda TAKERI , a new-generation mid-sized saloon concept shown for the first time at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. It features the new-generation SKYACTIV-D, clean diesel engine. It has Mazda’s new proprietary regenerative braking system, ‘i-ELOOP’, designed to maximise energy efficiency.
The new-generation Mazda CX-5 compact SUV will also be making its Japanese debut. This is the first commercially available model to employ SKYACTIV Technology throughout — from the powertrain to the bodyshell. The CX-5 is due to be introduced in Spring 2012 as a new model in the Mazda model line-up.
Mazda is undertaking the following activities to meet its goal of raising the average fuel economy of the Mazda vehicles sold worldwide by 30 percent by 2015 – compared with 2008 levels.
Through the introduction of its new-generation SKYACTIV Technology into its models from 2011, Mazda is making comprehensive improvements to its base technologies. These technologies enhance the efficiency of powertrain components — engines and transmissions — reduce vehicle body weight and improve aerodynamics.
Step 1: Battery management technology (‘i-stop’ idling stop system)
The i-stop system automatically shuts the engine off temporarily when the vehicle is stopped to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption. The use of i-stop alone can improve fuel economy by 7-10 percent (as measured in Japanese models). Mazda installed i-stop in the Mazda3 in 2009 and has been rolling the technology out to other models ever since. The upgraded Mazda2, which was introduced in Japan this year, was equipped with Mazda’s advanced i-stop system in combination with the SKYACTIV-G petrol engine. The SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, scheduled for release in 2012, is due to adopt the world’s first diesel i-stop system offering single-compression restart.
Step 2: Regenerative braking system ‘i-ELOOP’
Mazda’s i-ELOOP regenerative braking system for passenger cars is capable of improving fuel economy by approximately 10 per cent. The new system, the first of its kind in the world to use a capacitor, will begin to appear in Mazda vehicles from 2012.
i-ELOOP efficiently converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electricity as it decelerates, using the electricity to power the climate control, audio system and numerous other electrical components. The unique capacitor technology in i-ELOOP can store large volumes of electricity and, unlike batteries, can be charged and discharged rapidly and are resistant to deterioration through prolonged use.
Step 3: Electric drive technologies (hybrid system)
This type of system improves efficiency by using an electric motor to assist petrol engines at times when energy efficiency is low, such as when a vehicle is running at low engine speeds or during low-load operation. In addition to the comprehensive improvement of base technologies for greater efficiency, the combination of this hybrid system with the systems in steps 1 and 2 can produce a substantial boost in overall efficiency.
Mazda is aiming to begin sales of hybrid vehicles by 2013, starting in Japan. The hybrid system will be licensed from Toyota Motor Corporation.
Electric Vehicles (EV)
Mazda is steadily promoting development of electric vehicles and is planning to start leasing an EV model based on the Mazda2 in 2012 for local governments and corporate customers in Japan. This EV is expected to have a driving range of at least 120 miles.
Development of the hydrogen rotary engine
Hydrogen is clean energy that can be generated from various sources. Mazda has already introduced two models incorporating the Mazda hydrogen rotary engine: the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (in 2006) and the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid (in 2009). When the hydrogen rotary engine runs on hydrogen fuel, it produces zero CO 2
emissions. Mazda is leasing these vehicles to users in Japan and Norway.
