HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

The 2014 Mazda6 wagon is gorgeous and not coming to the USA; a factoid already reported.

However, it seems, the capacitor regen system is also not coming here, at least according to this article:

2014 Mazda 6 wagon makes Paris debut - Autoweek

zoom44

Mazda has not said the wagon is coming or not. that is pure speculation from press

as for the Siss and Eloop systems not being used in the US because they are not taken into account in MPG testing- ive decided that answer is bullshit. Yes they arent currently and Mazda has been petitioning the EPA to include them( You can't advertise the efficiency increase if the EPA doesnt allow for it) but other companies are already including the less efficient form of idle stop in their offerings so there is no reason Mazda should not. Except of course cost. I think that Mazda USA is not including those options because it would dig into their bottom line or if they tried to pass the full cost down to the consumer their prices would wouldnt look good compared to competitors.

zoom44

my badi had seen others saying it without any direct quote from mazda usa. thats about as direct as it gets

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

Idle stop is more a matter of programming than hardware. Capacitor regen is both, thus likely more expensive. Still seems sad if it's not coming here.

ASH8

I viewed a vid of big Jim O saying at the Paris Motorshow that the new 6 Wagon was only for Europe..

Not correct, last time I checked Australia was not part of Europe.
The Sedan and Wagon will be launched here in Oz together.

My mail is the North America will get the 6 Wagon, but not in it's first MY launch...all depends on Hofu capacity...once and if production demand slows you will see the Wagon.

The i-Stop and i-eloop has not been spec-ed, one for cost, two for owner acceptance, particularly i-stop....It is very particular about batteries charge and condition, if Battery is low on charge 'i-Stop' will not work...can you imagine the complaints in USA.

CX-5 is showing up issues..

See TSB..

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

Very informative pdf, thanks!

Yeah, I can imagine the "I just bought a new battery at Walmart for $39.95 and this POS still doesn't work ...".

ASH8

Forgot the video....

Interesting part about charing Battery at a higher voltage to remove stratification, so electrolyte solution is mixed effectively (see Vid).

I was always understood it is very easy to cook a Battery if voltage is too high for too long and battery 'boils'....keep under 60 minutes.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

The real experts on batteries and their charging are sailors. It's a complicated subject, but to get max battery life and performance, the charging system needs to be matched to the type of battery used. Lead acid, AGM, TPPL, and Li all have different needs. The charging system on most cars (and power boats) is quite primitive which kills or degrades batteries well before their time. If it weren't such a PIA, and probably not cost-effective either, I'd consider do the charging more boat style. And yes, there are circumstances where a period of overcharging will improve or even fix, an aging battery (depending on its type). Here a a couple of example articles:

Hard Charging: A New Way to Charge Batteries | Sail Magazine

Hands-On Sailor: Replacing Batteries | Cruising World

ASH8

BTW...

I know it was talked about in here, but also read newer article on Mazda and CEO, he said there will be 8 models with Skyactiv by 2016.
CX-5
Mazda 6
Mazda 3 (old)
MX-5
Mazda 2
Mazda 5
CX-9?
MPV (Mazda 8)?

Long term I am not so sure about the CX-9, the 3.7 V6 is finished by 2016, I cant see Mazda making an all new engine just for the CX-9, and even the 2.2 Diesel is not big enough for a 4000+ lbs car.

MPV (Mazda 8, Hong Kong), again, I am not so sure this will be renewed for domestic market, has not been a huge success.

Possibility of a smaller CX...like a CX-3.

BTW: Jim O said there was some 'new' exciting news next year that he could not talk about, but you (WE) will know around Detroit MS in 2013.??