Rather than investing in plug-in or hybrid technologies - the way pretty much all its rivals have been doing - Mazda has channelled its funds into conventional engine and transmission research, as well as into a string of measures to reduce the weight of its cars' architecture.
And now, after years of targeted development and design, a Mazda that has been kitted out with its much-improved so-called Skyactiv technologies has arrived with dealers, whose pre-order books have turned into waiting lists in recent months.
(h/t jwkozak91)
Bah I was just about to post this!
They now boast the highest MPG out of any gas/hybrid/diesel crossover or SUV.
The technology they use in the engine is interesting, a different form of direct injection, 14:1 compression, a very long 4-2-1 merge collector, and a domed piston with a cavity in the middle.
Here's a good link:
http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/skyactiv/engine/skyactiv-g.html
It's about bloody time!
Back in the 1980's,there were several small -engined diesel cars and small P/U trucks that would get over forty mpg. They disappeared in a sea of BIG gas guzzling V-8's.
Now the price of fuel is damned near double what it was in the early 80's,and we still can't find decent fuel efficient vehicles, just hybrid POS.
I test drove a little Mazda diesel P/U that was EPA rated at 47 mpg,small and sluggish off the line,but cruised well on the highway.It had a 4-speed standard.
Bring 'em back,with better trannys and give us a chance to save the planet our own way.
It's too bad we can't get the euro diesels here
High compression, turbochargers, etc.
That's narrow band torque in a highly stressed package.
Probably a multi gear auto transmission as well.
CVT action without the CVT worries.
.
Both my cars are Mazdas - regular oil changes, tire rotations, fluid levels, timing belt at 100K - that's it. No other maintenance.
It was in about 2005 that Ford quit the "engineering by bean counter", and now the F-150 I just bought has a 3.7 litre 6 that delivers good power and good gas milage. Maybe when GM fires Obamba they can quit the sparkies and get on with engineering the ICE
Boosted right outa sight....14.1 compression ratio...
They are claiming mileage similar to my 1100 Virago....
But then I can remember the original Austin Mini's and VW bugs which had similar displacement.
Lighter bodies helps as well....
Watch the same handwringers, who whine about CO2, whine about crash worthiness..........tell 'em to buy an F150......
sasquatch "tell 'em to buy an F150......"
I must have put a million klicks om a series of those puppies with nothing but tires and brakes.
Has Ford ever got around to engineering some repair dollars into the F-150?
That would be a million total, not each.
Well, I'm sorta all over MPg's...sorta. My Duramax will get ~ 23-24mpg - MT truck/hwy @ 65mph. That's with a programmer from Banks & and H2O/Meth injection. Not too shabby for a 7800 lb vehicle with a "streamlined" (brick), profile...but 61mpg....WOW.! better than a Jetta TDI..!
As for Mazda..Kudo's to them..I shall enjoy watching them take market share in leaps and bounds.! at 40K+ for hybrids and ~60k+ electrics...just who did they think was going to be buying them..???
As I have said on this blog before, if you do the math on electric cars you quickly realize that nearly every technical claim about them is grossly exaggerated.
Took a test drive in the CX5 days after it arrived at our local dealer.
Would definitely consider it for my next vehicle.
I wouldn't give the japs a penny, they don't allow competition into their crappy country. Besides, they stole most of the technology.
I have 2 Mazdas-a Mazda3 and a Mazda6. I love them both. I bought the 3 new in 2007, and it has literally had no mechanical problems of any kind. Both my cars are fun to drive due to their sporty handling, steering, and, in the 6's case, power.
Please demonstrate an example or two to back up your flapdoddle ... fiddle!
Look up Keiretsu. Basically, cartels.
You can read a little more here. They, basically, operate like the mafia minus all the illegal activity. Well, illegal here, not in japan.
http://www.multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/issues/1990/07/pickens.html
Other manufacturers have similar projects going on. There's coverage in the automotive enthusiast websites. The most likely scenario appears to be that within about 12-15 years internal combustion cars (burning gasoline, diesel or natural gas) will get about twice the mileage of similar-sized current models while emitting about half the pollution. (BTW a lot of people don't realize how much pollution has been reduced already.) This not a wind/solar type dream but rather an extrapolation of current trends. Of course, fuel may well cost twice a much by then ...
Twice the mileage in diesel pickups would just catch up with the 1980s. All the fancy electronic crap just adds cost. Similarly, there were cars in the '80s that got 50 and 60 mpg. I don't see much progress.
I fail to see how burning twice the fuel reduces pollution.
The most likely scenario appears to be that within about 12-15 years internal combustion cars (burning gasoline, diesel or natural gas) will get about twice the mileage of similar-sized current models while emitting about half the pollution.
Uh, I guess if vehicles burn half the fuel they would emit half the pollution, even without more pollution control crap.
...if we forget for a moment that Mazda is biodegradable with half-life of about 4 years, it's probably a good lease car.
For the rest of us who like to keep their vehicles for a decade or so, Mazda is crap.
Is this a plug for an electric car? My curiosity demands an outlet...
Check out the Revetec engine for a new type of internal combustion engine that should make even better fuel economy. Will be diesel as well.
The older Mazdas were bullet-proof. I had one a few years ago on lease, and the quarters rusted out of it before the third year. That seems to be a new problem with the 3's. Kind of like the old Civic's used to do where the horizontal seam is behind the rear wheels. No mechanical issues, but when the body starts to go after 3 years.....