Mazda betting on fuel economy

Mazda is preparing a so-called “green” revolution aiming to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions in its cars until 2015. Mazda wants to have these values equivalent to today’s supermini standards.

Improving aerodynamics, improved powertrains, vehicle weight reduction, introduction of new technologies as i-stop (Smart Idling Stop System) are some of the ways Mazda will find to deliver first-class environmental and MPG performance for all the brand’s models.

The Skytech is a fuel-sipping, emissions-busting technology that is being developed by Mazda in order to improve fuel economy by 30 percent by 2015, comparing to 2008 levels. As fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions are directly linked, the efficiency enhancement will also reduce tailpipe emissions. This technology should start featuring in Mazda vehicles in less than two years time.

This is a different approach than the one made by other brands. Instead of opting for the development of hybrid vehicles or alternative fuel solutions Mazda is focusing in improving efficiencies delivered through a traditional internal combustion engine platform.

According to Mazda’s Fleet and Remarketing Director Peter Allibon, “The first vehicles from the SKYTECH programme we expect to start reaching fleets in 2012. The indications are that the emission levels on some Mazda C/D segment models will drop below 100 g/km, while all models will be below 120 g/km.”

“While Mazda is working behind the scenes on technological alternatives to petrol and diesel engines with research and development on hydrogen vehicles continuing apace, we expect that the internal combustion engine will remain the dominant and economic choice for fleets and company car drivers into the foreseeable future”, he added.

Another feature of Mazda’s so-called “green” revolution should the introduction of a new six-speed automatic transmission that will raise fuel economy by 5 per cent to models compared with the current five-speed transmission.