SKYACTIV Technology

Oct 24, 2011 by Admin    No Comments    Posted under: Mazda

While most automotive companies have focused their “green” efforts on hybrid and full electric technology, Mazda has once again taken a different path. The SKYACTIV technology focuses on improving existing systems by making them more fuel efficient and reducing emissions without sacrificing performance. The technology isn’t limited to what’s happening under the hood. In fact, the engineers at Mazda looked at every aspect of a cars construction to find improvements. Here are the major focus areas and what that means for drivers:

1. SKYACTIV-G – Arguably the most talked about aspect of the new platform, the SKYACTIV-G engine manages to increase power, provide better responsiveness and sip less fuel than its’ predecessor. The secret lies in the compression ratio. The compression ratio is a measure of the volume of the combustion chamber at its’ largest capacity to its’ smallest. As the ratio grows, so does power but this is not without a price. Using standard fuel (87-octane) with higher compression engines can lead to damaging engine knock. Engine knock occurs when the fuel/air mixture ignites too soon, putting pressure on the piston and other engine components. Mazda engineers worked tirelessly to find new solutions to this problem. They switched to a new direct injection system that more evenly distributes fuel in the cylinder at a higher pressure as well as developing a unique “volcano-top” piston. Both innovations give the engine a “cooler” fuel charge and more complete combustion. When combined with an exhaust manifold inspired by racing engines, the SKYACTIV-G is able to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 15%. Simply put, this is an standard gasoline engine with the fuel efficiency of a diesel engine without requiring special fuel and without sacrificing performance.
2. SKYACTIV-D – Going in the opposite direction from its’ standard gasoline sibling, the SKYACTIV-D has a lower compression ratio than most diesel engine on the market. This lower compression ratio means that it doesn’t produce the same harmful emissions as most diesel engines nor does it require a complex, expensive aftertreatment system. As a result, the engine considerably lighter, cleaner and close to 20% more fuel efficient than Mazda’s current generation engine. Unfortunately, this diesel with the efficiency of a hybrid isn’t currently available in North America.
3. SKYACTIV-DRIVE – Ruling out a Continuously Variable Transmission due to its’ disconnected feel and the Dual Clutch for control difficulties at low speeds, Mazda engineers decided to return to the drawing board and develop a new automatic transmission. Primarily, they focused on improving the torque converter, a part commonly inefficient at higher speeds. Instead of making the converter do all of the shifting work, they partnered it with a multi-plate clutch that handles higher speeds and a new control unit. This has resulted in an automatic transmission that has lower power losses of any competitive design and 4% increases in fuel economy when mated with the SKYACTIV-G.
4. SKYACTIV-MT – Manual transmissions are already very efficient but Mazda took theirs a step further by making a transmission that was lighter and more compact than the rest while keeping the sports car performance of shifting a MX-5 Miata. They also reduced shift stroke to 45mm; the shortest of any competitor.
5. SKYACTIV-BODY and SKYACTIV-CHASSIS – While making improvements to the engine and transmission are, by themselves, revolutionizing the way we look at non-hybrid technology, SKYACTIV wouldn’t be complete without comprehensive redesigns of the rest of the vehicle. The SKYACTIV-BODY is 30% more rigid than current models and 8% lighter as well. The frame is straighter (using new manufacturing methods such as laser welding and weld bonding) and disperses impact energy along the frame and away from the occupants, keeping the driver and passengers safer. Mazda engineers also increased the amount of high tensile steel in the frame, also contributing to the lighter weight and improved strength. Meanwhile, the SKYACTIV-CHASSIS improves low-speed agility and high-speed stability with changes to the suspension geometry and lighter, more rigid materials.

So, to recap, SKYACTIV technology allows you to enjoy hybrid-like fuel economy in a standard gasoline automobile without requiring you to sacrifice pure driving enjoyment or additional cash. Beginning this month, Mazda3’s equipped with the SKYACTIV-G engine and your choice of SKYACTIV-DRIVE or SKYACTIV-MT will hit the stores, including Walker’s Renton Mazda. In February 2012, you can expect to find the all new Mazda CX-5, an exciting new Crossover that utilizes the full suite of SKYACTIV technology, from engine to chassis. And stay tuned for future announcements on the Mazda lineup and its’ use of this ground-breaking tech.

(Originally Posted on Walkersrenton.com, Oct 18, 2011)

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