Auto Trader NZ
Published 3 September 2020
It will use lightweight technologies, upgrade almost all its petrol engines, introduce a Smart Idle Stop System, a new petrol rotary engine and new diesels.
By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain line-up and, from 2011, through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100kg or more.
It says Mazda owners are assured of driving cars that continue to provide a fun-to-drive feeling that will keep them coming back for more, while still having the peace of mind that their Mazda is environmentally-friendly and safe to drive.
Since 2001, the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold in Japan improved by about 30 percent. In 1991, the company embarked on a long-term project to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen.
This June the Mazda 5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid received the green light from the Japanese government to begin testing on public roads.
The Mazda 5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid (known as the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in Japan) offers 40 percent more power and an extended hydrogen driving range of 200 kilometres. It will be available for commercial lease in Japan during the 2008 fiscal year. Mazda is well advanced on the development of an all-new Hydrogen RE vehicle with dynamic performance equivalent to a 3.0-litre petrol engine and a hydrogen range of 400 kilometres.
It will introduce a mass production version of its Smart Idle Stop System into one of its cars in 2009. Mazda’s idle stop system restarts the engine from idle by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to force the piston down. That enables a fast and quiet restart and a fuel economy improvement of up to eight percent. The system will initially appear in Japan and Europe.
In 2009, an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine will be introduced in Northern European and North American markets. From 2011 onwards, new petrol engines will incorporate next generation Direct Injection Spark Ignition and other systems to boost power by 15 to 20 percent and improve fuel economy by around 20 percent.
Beginning in 2011, Mazda plans to introduce next generation direct injection diesels, turbocharging systems and NOx reduction technology, which will enhance fuel economy by 20 percent and produce cleaner exhaust gases.
The rotary engine, will be substantially upgraded in the early 2010s. Currently referred to as the 16X, the next rotary engine will offer substantially improved performance and economy through Direct Injection Spark Ignition and high-speed combustion technology.
See all Mazda cars for sale
