SKYACTIV® Tech on Mazda Vehicles
The word “SKYACTIV®” gets batted around a lot in Mazda circles. Most Mazda shoppers know it has something to do with engine technology, but what does it mean, exactly? Is it just an empty label used to sell more Mazda cars? Or is there something more to it?
SKYACTIV® is actually a process that encompasses the entire vehicle in an attempt to make it as fuel-efficient as possible; it’s about more than just the engine. Mazda has reworked their design of many key parts of their models in order to improve efficiency while still delivering the incredible performance they’re known for and keeping prices reasonable.
So, enough hype- does it work? Is SKYACTIV® technology actually worth it?
SKYACTIV® tech is definitely worth it if you’re deciding on a new vehicle. Whereas conventional internal combustion engines only use around 30% of potential energy from their fuel, SKYACTIV® engines are able to compress the air-fuel mixture in their cylinders to an entirely new degree, squeezing out far more energy.
SKYACTIV Engine Enhancements
For example, the SKYACTIV-G gas engine boasts a record compression ratio of 14:1, an unprecedented figure for a mass production gasoline engine. This helps the engine to deliver not only a great fuel economy, but improved performance- both fuel efficiency and torque are improved by around 15%. Torque performance is especially enhanced at low and medium speeds. This means the enhancements better serve real-world daily driving needs, as opposed to astronomically high speeds that most drivers will never realistically reach.
The two current SKYACTIV® engines are the SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine and the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine. The latter offers a 20% improved fuel economy over conventional diesel engines, along with a world-leading compression ratio of 14:1. It provides excellent fuel efficiency without sacrificing clean emissions.
Other Optimizations
Besides the engines, SKYACTIV® also provides optimizations to transmissions, the vehicle body, the chassis, and more. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to go into that today, but you can read more here. Until then, stay SKYACTIV®!
Would like updated information on which Mazda’s have Skyactive -G or -D engines (or other cars with equivalent engines), and are the newer ones better (?).
Thanks.
06/06/2020