While Mazda's 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D diesel four-cylinder remains in development for the U.S. market—it'll eventually launch in the Mazda 6 sedan—the automaker has released some neat technical details about its new smaller diesel. The engine displaces just 1.5 liters but shares the Skyactiv-D moniker. It's headed for the Japanese and European markets, where it will power the next-generation Mazda 2, previewed here by the hot Hazumi concept from this year's Geneva auto show.
Skyactiv is the marketing name for Mazda's weight-shaving and fuel-economy-enhancing technologies, and it has been applied to everything from engines and transmissions to entire body structures. In the case of the 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D, it adds "clean emissions" to that repertoire. Mazda claims the little diesel will sail through Euro 6 and Japanese emissions certification, and that it will do so without the aid of cost-adding NOx after-treatment systems such as urea injection.
To clean up the engine, Mazda applied an aggressive regimen of combustion temperature–reducing measures like high- and low-pressure exhaust-gas recirculation systems (the exhaust replaces some oxygen into the combustion chamber, reducing heat and limiting NOx production), high-dispersion fuel injectors and dished pistons, an air-to-water intercooler, water jacket spacers that concentrate more coolant flow toward the head, and a low 14.8:1 compression ratio. In the Mazda 2, the clean-burning engine also will be paired with Mazda's fuel-saving i-ELOOP brake-energy recuperation and engine stop-start technologies.
Despite its low emissions, the 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D makes decent grunt, pumping out 103 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Suffice it to say, when bolted into a light vehicle like the 2, that's should be plenty—consider that the current Mazda 2's gas-fed 1.5-liter four puts down a measly 100 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque and is still fun to drive. With nearly twice as much torque—available as low as 1500 rpm—the Skyactiv could take the 2 to a whole new level. Interestingly, Mazda points out in its press materials for the new engine that the diesel's torque output matches up to that of its 2.5-liter gas four, which is found in everything from the Mazda 3 to the CX-5. We don't see why Mazda couldn't drop the 1.5-liter into, say, the 3 and instantly create an adversary for Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost-equipped Focus.
- 2014 Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0 Automatic Tested: Thrift AND Fun
- 2014 Mazda CX-5 2.5 AWD Tested: Small Power Bump, Big Payoff
- Mazda 2 Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Reviews, and More
While Japan and Europe are definitely getting the new diesel, there's no word of a U.S. version. That's probably not an accident, given the issues Mazda's having here with the larger 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D. From what we've gathered, Mazda could meet emissions in the states with the 2.2-liter even without exhaust after-treatment, but that it isn't satisfied with the engine's drivability. (Thereby implying that tuning changes to achieve the desired character compromises emissions compliance.) Given that, we're not holding our breath for a stateside arrival anytime soon.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
Put the internet to work for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment