ASH8

Mazda to cut vehicle fuel consumption 30 percent by 2015.

- By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup.
- Through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms, aim to reduce the weight of new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more, from 2011.
- Unique Smart Idle Stop System to be introduced in 2009 with fast, quiet restart.
- Mazda to introduce a more advanced version of the unique Three Layer Wet Paint System in 2009.
- Mazda aims to have carbon neutral bioplastics ready for use in vehicles by 2013.


HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it is setting its sights on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average 30 percent by 2015. This determined commitment will entail a holistic approach which includes using lightweight technologies, the upgrade of almost all of Mazda’s gasoline engines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide. By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup and, from 2011, through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more.

Mazda is driven by its long-term vision to provide all its customers with first-rate environmental and safety features as well as driving pleasure. This means that Mazda owners are assured of driving cars that continue to provide the 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.

But, this focus on the environment is not a new concept for Mazda. In the seven years from 2001 to 2008, the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold in the Japanese market increased by approximately 30 percent. In 1991, the company embarked on a long-term project to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen technology, thereby participating in the search for sustainable transportation solutions, which still continues today.

Mazda saw its hydrogen powertrain efforts progress positively forward in June 2008 when the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid received the green light from the Japanese government to begin testing on public roads. The Mazda5 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 kilometers. It will be available for commercial lease in Japan during the 2008 fiscal year. And, Mazda is already progressing well with the development of an all-new Hydrogen RE vehicle with dynamic performance equivalent to a 3.0-liter gasoline engine and a hydrogen range of 400 kilometers.

The next technological milestone for Mazda will be the introduction of the mass production version of its proprietary Smart Idle Stop System into one of its cars in 2009.

Mazda’s is the only idle stop system in the world that restarts the engine from idle by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to force the piston down, enabling a fast and quiet restart as well as an improvement in fuel economy by up to seven-to-eight percent. Demonstrating the extent of Mazda’s flexible R&D capability in developing alternative environmentally-friendly technologies, the system will initially appear in Japan and Europe; however, it will be rolled out worldwide.

Mazda’s future powertrain line-up has much to excite current and future Mazda customers. In 2009, an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine will be introduced into the Northern European and North American markets. From 2011 onwards, with new gasoline 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 approximately 20 percent.

Beginning in 2011, Mazda plans to introduce new diesel engines worldwide that meet the strictest future exhaust gas regulations in each market. These engines will feature next generation direct injection technology, turbocharging systems and NOx reduction technology, which will enhance fuel economy by 20 percent and produce cleaner exhaust gases, while still providing a true Zoom-Zoom experience.

A fundamental part of Mazda’s heritage, the gasoline 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 use of Direct Injection Spark Ignition and high-speed combustion technology, enfolded in new rotary dimensions.

Mazda’s environmental efforts are not only focused on its cars. The plants in which they are built have also received a lot of attention to ensure that they contribute to a sustainable future.

In FY2007, the volume of CO2 emissions from production activities in Japan was reduced by 15.4 percent compared to FY1990 levels. Expressed as CO2 emissions volume per unit of revenue, the reduction was 24 percent.

In 2005, Mazda was the first auto manufacturer to introduce a Three Layer Wet Paint System which reduces VOC emissions by 45 percent and CO2 emissions by 15 percent. Mazda now plans to introduce a more advanced version of this unique Paint System in 2009 as it finalizes the development of an innovative water-based paint technology that reduces VOC emissions by a further 57 percent without increasing CO2 emissions. Producing around 25 percent fewer CO2 emissions than common water-based paint, this new technology is intended to make Mazda’s paint shops the cleanest in the world.

Mazda is also making itself known in the area of carbon neutral bioplastics. Developed in collaboration with government, industry and academia, Mazda intends to expand the applications of this new source of eco-friendly material. Already, bioplastics are used in the new Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and, in June 2008, Mazda commenced the Mazda Bioplastic Project to develop a bioplastic made from non-food-based cellulosic biomass. The project aims to have the bioplastic ready for use in vehicles by 2013.

ASH8

Unique Smart Idle Stop System to be introduced in 2009 with fast, quiet restart

I think this system will be introduced in the new Mazda 3... to conserve gas when the cars engine stops at a traffic light or when your car is idling for a set period of time.

I hope this can be overridden?

kvndoom

Is this in response to the new CAFE standards, I wonder?

robrecht

What exactly do they mean by "high-speed combustion technology"?

bcmzr23

That caught my attention also. Would they add a 3rd spark plug maybe?

HeavyMetal699

Who knows, probably marketing lingo. It could be something like a high psi fuel system or something like that.

If the car they stick the 16x fills the same niche as the RX-8 does I will probably end up purchasing it. I don't even care about gas mileage much anymore.

mysql

this is good news. I am not currently mazda when i buy another car because the fuel economy for most of their stuff tops out at 25 mpg.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Next Gen Rotary tech ... its very temping .... but Mazda dealership's service really scared me off ...

consider some of them still telling ppl synthetic is not good cuz it melts seals ... some doesnt even know how Rotary engine works ...

learycd

iTrader: (1)

so 30 percent increase of 16 mpg is 20.8 mpg (if my math is right)

damn really closing in that gap on honda haha, i just gave up looking at my fuel gauge, its better that way

mysql

most of us can now get 20 mpg with the accessport. So 30% brings us up to 26 mpg. Assuming of course they use 20 as the baseline. It's also possible they mean 30% overall across the fleet, in which case you might see a lot less than 30% gains for the new rotary.

learycd

iTrader: (1)

yeah i get 20 if i drive like a normal human being, but its less fun that way

its just a cost of doing business

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I would assume 30% across the fleet.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

*sigh*

Read people READ !!! DAMN IT !!!!

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=12170

ITS FLEEEEEEEETWIDEEEEEEEEEEE !

Red Devil

They *should* be able to get better consumption out of the rotary just by different pakcaging.

If the 16X is designed for more torque, they can lower the final drive ratio. And if they are in fact going with lighter cars across the board, those two together could yield a 25-30mpg highway rating...

superglue

Don't forget direct injection is also a nice way to improve mileage.

Detrich

probably comes with 30% drop in bhp across the board, which the article doesn't mention... hahahaha. we're screwed either way.

RXLogic

Not entirely true. There are a couple of Win-Win equations at work here:

More hp with the same fuel = better mpg

Lighter weight with the same hp = better mpg


Of course, getting those equations to work comes at some cost -- but NOW it's worth it.

Symbioticgenius

Any clue to when the 16X will be released and where its going? I have a feeling its not the RX8 seeing the new facelift doesn't include it, but most are saying otherwise.

Edit, asked that ^^, did research, found this
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/949
http://www.nextautos.com/car-buying/...s-16x-renesis/

2011, hmm.

Razz1

They have been saying for years they are going to make smaller cars.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

something tells me they won't try this on the rotary .....

Gish

Perhaps if they used a 6th gear ratio that was a whole lot longer, thus allowing us to drive on the highway and not be close to 4,000 rpm, the mileage would increase...

learycd

iTrader: (1)

i agree if im on the highway and i want to TRY to get good fuel milage i drive at 73 mph which keeps the rpms right below 3750 (where the secondary port opens) in an attempt to have less fuel going into the engine. anyone else do this?

but like i said before, its much more fun to not think about gas haha

rotarygod

You don't need a longer 6th gear. You need to get rid of that crap 4.44:1 (or 4.77:1 now) rear end and put something useful in such as a more reasonable 4.10:1. You won't be any slower as you need to shift way too often now.