Whats in the box? Mazda releases new SkyActiv Clean Diesel engine for Grand Am GX
 

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Mazdaspeed will tell us tonight :)

The new GX class announced by Grand-Am opens up "alternative fuels such as hydrogen, E-85, and diesel", as well as new technologies such as turbochargers and hybrids.

To me, this brings Speedsource's most likely selection for a new engine to be a SkyActive turbo diesel to change classes from GT to GX.

Frankly, I'm happy about the class addition. More mixup in the field, more "production car" video time, and a US based series that is getting serious about advancing technology. There is only advantages to be had for us, the consumers. Not to mention should lead to some great racing with the GT and GX field being relatively equal in speed, but not competing directly :)


But yeah, can't wait for the news to end the suspense!

Mazda releases new SkyActiv Clean Diesel engine for Grand Am GX
 

Not much info, but Mazdaspeed Motorsports page on facebook has coverage from the unveiling at Motown.



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Also found this article posted up just now.


http://www.racer.com/mazda-announces...rticle/243957/



Edit: More!

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_News...cid=6383&sid=1

aw hell----- this is something i didnt want to see.
Oh well--the market prevails.

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MORE PICS!


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1425562&type=1

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Twin turbos, smaller one up stream, larger downstream, both feeding the same intake track?

Feels odd. I know diesels run on detonation, but still a foreign look :lol:

Now who said Mazda Diesels will not be sold in North America!!??....glad to see you guys have joined the 21st century...

JOKE!...:)

Good news to see a racing program, just what is needed to promote Mazda in US..this will show the brand off really well..

NOW, guess what engine will be in the all new 2014 Mazda 6 (Takeri) next year?, and it won't be a V6.

Mazda SKYACTIV Diesel for Racing

Mazda to Make New SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel Engines Available for GRAND-AM's New Advanced Technology Racing Class

June 1, 2012 (DETROIT) Mazda Motorsports today announced that it will supply racing versions of its new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engines to customer teams competing in GRAND-AM's new GX Class for advanced/clean technologies, beginning with the 2013 season.

"This opens a new chapter in racing for us," said Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "We've won with rotary technology, and now we're looking to again put our customers in the winner's circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen."

The engines will be stock-block Mazda SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder, dual-stage turbocharged powerplants that, according to John Doonan, MNAO's Director of Mazda Motorsports, "will deliver outstanding performance and fuel economy coupled with the kind of quality, durability and reliability needed to produce great street cars and win endurance races."

Mazda remains the only Asian auto maker committed to bringing modern clean-diesel technology to the United States. The production Mazda SKYACTIV-D features include:
■14:1 low compression ratio
■New two-stage turbocharger
■A 5,200 rpm redline
■Compared to Mazda's current-production 2.2L MZR-CD diesel engine:
■Up to 20% reduction in fuel consumption
■20% reduction in internal engine friction
■10% reduction in weight

Mazda Motorsports is noted for many things, including grassroots dominance in road racing, and being the only Asian car company with an overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its David and Goliath approach -- supported by unique powertrains, devoted teams and drivers, and sales of parts to all who wish to compete -- has made Mazda one of the most successful brands in motorsports.

Since 2007, Mazda has been competing with great success in the GRAND-AM GT class with the rotary-powered RX-8. Mazda racers have secured manufacturers, team and drivers championships, along with 2008 and 2010 GT-class wins by the SpeedSource RX-8 in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. With the RX-8 no longer in production for the U.S. market, Mazda needed a new challenge.

SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY will allow Mazda to chart its own path in racing, showcasing the latest in fuel-efficient, powerful and clean powertrains.

The engines are being developed jointly by Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda North American Operations and SpeedSource Engineering. Dyno testing has already begun and on-track testing begins in late 2012. Engine pricing and terms will be announced at a later date.

The actual Mazda model in which the SKYACTIV-D racing engine will be installed will be announced after the conclusion of the 2012 GRAND-AM racing season.

John Doonan, Director, Mazda Motorsports, MNAO: "We operate our motorsports program as a business, selling everything from B-Spec performance kits for the Mazda2 to complete powertrains. We've won at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring with rotary power. While the SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine is all-Mazda, the teams will be independents. We look forward to taking customer orders later this year."

Sylvain Tremblay, SpeedSource Engineering: "As a motorsports engineering firm, we love a challenge, and starting a new program with a stock-block SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine gives us a wonderful opportunity. The ultra-low compression ratio stock engine has fantastic torque and fuel economy. Our job is to tune it such that it meets the needs of our racers. Once again, Mazda charts its own path, and we are pleased to be an integral part of this project."

About Mazda & MAZDASPEED

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world's largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda's success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Anyone care to speculate what body this new racer diesel will be in???

Perhaps the new Mazda 6..??

BTW..Other Mazda news, the Cosmo 110 turned 45 yesterday....happy birthday!!

The new 6 will be FWD right? Would the rules permit them to convert to RWD?

The Audi R8 is AWD, converted to RWD, so yes, I expect that it would be a RWD conversion. Although, if the next 6 had the SkyD engine offered in it in RWD or AWD configuration.... hmmm :)

maybe is a "silouhette" class....general exterior design would be a 6/takeri, but RWD and with a race,carbon made chassis...

it seems to me that this new class is between a true prototype DP and production derived GT...

Nice engine, tough...monster turbines...more than 300 hp for sure....

The diesel is 19th Century technology and predates the gasoline piston engine. :(
The Amish, back where I grew up, were allowed to have farm equipment with mechanical injection diesel engines. They aren't allowed electricity or gasoline tech.

^lol!

Won't be the same without the scream of the rotary. Sad day!

I bet the rotary is still raced by someone for multiple years. They are good until 2015 to race with Grand-AM.

Yes the 6 can be tube framed and converted to RWD. for more rules click below.

http://www.grand-am.com/portals/0/gr...2012GT-GCR.pdf


Stephen

No they don't. They run on controlled compression ignition. Big difference.

Pretty interesting engine design. 8 separate intake runners feeding 4 cylinders from a common plenum. No exhaust manifold. The runners are cast into the head. There is just one small straight pipe leading out of the block into the hot side of the small turbo. Interesting indeed.

Both are still compression ignition, no? One is controlled and the other isn't?

Yes and no. Don't confuse either with pre-ignition either.

I want to see it in an 8.

400HP FTW!

See it in an 8? :scratchhe

Paul.

And here she is, for le-mans 24 hour..

And Dempsey racing is the first customer...

So I guess this will also be the Grand Am GX class of race car?

If anyone want a copy High Res Image (3.29MB) of this race car below, please PM me your email address to send it to.
No other images of this race car are available at this stage.
Ash

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...2&d=1339839498

:Eyecrazy:

How can be a P2 car for Lemans????

with a diesel engine? they have changed the rules????

EDIT: rules changed for diesels in P2 by ACO

http://www.autohebdo.fr/endurance/we...lmp2-pour-2013

IF this engine can be competitive, and IF this car (and others) can win something, THEN Mazda will have created something uniquely worthy for marketing SkyActiv technology. They desperately need something newsworthy in the marketplace to hang their technology hat on, something GREAT and theirs alone. Right now their brand cred and message with consumers is in limbo, it's like Mazda has no story anymore, compared to all the other fancy technology marketing coming from the auto industry.

This just might be their BIG thing - IF they can translate it into a new high performance halo production vehicle. (Thinking) Would I buy a race-proven, race-winning, 350HP Twin Turbo SkyActiv powered diesel from Mazda? Damn straight I would!

Go Mazda!!

No Ash, the Grand Am GX class is production based only, and will be comparable in speed to the current GT class that the RX-8 runs in. In order for a car like that to be comparable to GT class speeds, they would have to have something like 250hp instead of 450, as that aero would make them ridiculously superior through the curves. Probably even faster than DP.

No, that is just lemans.


Some engine testing though :D:

Yes Spin9k, give Mazda a break, they are renewing ALL of their models over the next few years...
Remember back in 2003~, Mazda were on a high with all their new car releases...

Like all car brands they budget for a production schedule and time period for models, including face-lifts.

For their size Mazda really does punch above it's weight, sadly in the US they are not taken seriously enough...but I continue to blame their management and cheap marketing.

IMO this SA Diesel is special and will command respect...cred....yo!

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...gine-for-2013/

Next year huh? Ash, is that pic for next year or this year?

Mazda's press anouncement on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3685362&type=1