Thursday 6th June 2019

180hp and 52mpg from Skyactiv-X Mazda 3

Compression and spark ignition 2.0-litre petrol on sale soon - who wants a turbo anyway?

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Mazda has already been praised on PH for its commitment to naturally aspirated engines, the 2.0-litre MX-5 unit in particular singled out for its effervescent nature and laudable efficiency. Now Mazda is taking its development of petrol engines one step further, with the Skyactiv-X Mazda 3.

Skyactiv-X has been discussed for a while now, drives having taken place of prototypes with the Spark Plug Controlled Compression Ignition technology that combines - you guessed it - both spark and compression ignition. The ignition technology also works with Mazda's M Hybrid tech to reduce emissions, recycling kinetic energy from braking to supply an electric motor that assists the engine. Today's newss is the announcement of production car specs, and they're as impressive as we've come to expect from Mazda's innovative engine range.

In a Mazda 3 on 16-inch wheels, the 180hp, 165lb ft 2.0-litre Skyactiv-X will return 52.3mpg on the WLTP cycle and emit just 96g/km of CO2. That's unprecedented for a petrol engine; the fact that peak power is delivered at 6,000rpm would suggest it's not simply a turgid petrol tuned for economy, either. With the optional 18-inch wheels, those numbers fall to 50.4mpg and 102g/km. With all-wheel drive, automatic gearboxes and different bodystyles available, not all will sneak under that 100g/km threshold, but it's a mighty achievement nonetheless.

The Skyactiv-X engined cars will go on sale later this year, with UK prices and specs to be released in July. It sounds like fascinating technology, potentially a huge leap forward for petrol engines and promising a future for non-turbo'd or hybridised power units. Wonder if it'll go in an MX-5?

[Grrbang]

I think PH'ers will be more impressed by 224Nm / 3000rpm from an NA 2 litre petrol, than slightly better fuel economy.

Edited by Grrbang on Thursday 6th June 14:29

[Grrbang]

Max_Torque said:

So in any given gear, that's half the performance.........

Aaannd then the diesel has to change up, losing a ton of acceleration. The petrol keeps going for another 2000rpm with acceleration continuously increasing. Diesel and petrol are very different definitions of performance.