Skyactiv Technology Offers New Perspectives To Mazda’s Fleet Development

Industry-leading developments that focus on new generation gasoline and diesel engines, improved model aerodynamics, vehicle weight reduction, new chassis and transmission developments are all embraced within Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology.

For fleet operators and company car drivers the technology translates into reduced whole life costs, lower fuel bills and tax savings with many European countries linking motoring-related taxes to emission levels.

SKYACTIV technology offers:

■New generation SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine efficiency that delivers a 15% increase in fuel economy and torque,
■The introduction of new SKYACTIV-D diesel engine technology that delivers a 20% fuel economy improvement thanks to the world’s lowest diesel-engine compression ratio,
■The introduction of new six-speed automatic transmission available on both gasoline and diesel as well as a new lightweight compact six-speed manual transmission which deliver fuel economy and therefore emission improvements,
■An all new platform providing highly rigid body and chassis that achieve outstanding crash safety performance while being 100 kilos lighter than predecessor.
The low compression ratio diesel technology also allows meeting Euro6 emission regulations to be met without the aid of expensive NOx (Nitrogen Oxydes) after treatment systems. This was recently acknowledged by the German automotive professional magazine Automobilwoche (June 27th 2011): “Mazda recently showed how to reach stricter emissions standards in a more economical way with its SKYACTIV-D engine which also fulfils Euro6 standards”.

A number of influential motor industry commentators have already driven SKYACTIV-equipped Mazdas including Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager at UK-based automotive information provider CAP. After driving four different SKYACTIV cars, he said: “Mazda proved beyond any doubt just how good SKYACTIV is - especially the diesel automatic. It is a brilliant piece of engineering. With the technology debuting in the CX-5, Mazda has a winner on its hands. The technology should help Mazda in its quest to improve fleet sales. Mazda is definitely a brand to watch.”

Crucially SKYACTIV sees Mazda defying current industry thinking that significant fuel economy and emission breakthroughs can only be achieved with alternative technology.

Christian Blank, Director of European Fleet Operations, said: “Research tells us that only 10% of new cars sold in 2020 will be fully electric. So we believe that the strategy we are pursuing is the right one – first launching breakthrough technologies for gasoline and diesel engines while continuing to work on hybrid and electric vehicles as well as hydrogen-powered models.”

Fleet decision-makers and company car drivers across Europe will be able to sample the full range of SKYACTIV technology for the first time on Mazda’s all-new compact crossover SUV, the CX-5. Scheduled to launch in the majority of markets at the beginning of 2012, the model achieves best-in-class sub-120g/km CO2 emissions* and will make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show.

“The technology delivers a winning combination of cost-effective motoring and excellent environmental performance with no compromise in driving dynamics. This will enable our cars to reach the top quartile of our competitor set in terms of residual values and further extend our European fleet customer base”, saidMr Blank.