Mazda's New Sky Engine Lineup Uses Unique Technology to Crank Up the MPGs

Mazda, a company well known for its vehicles that offer a fun-to-drive experience, will begin to offer cars and SUVs that also boast best-in-class fuel efficiency ratings. Mazda's approach to developing vehicles has always been a bit one-sided. The company focused on performance, sporty handling and an overall supreme driving experience. It comes as no surprise then that many of the company's vehicles failed to compete with other makes in regards to overall fuel efficiency. With Mazda focused on the driving experience, companies such as Honda, Hyundai, Ford and Toyota all pulled away in terms of efficiency. But Mazda's focus on sporty offerings gave the company distinction and won over a fair share of buyers.

Now, as new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations are just six years away, AutoBlogGreen reports that Mazda's focus is shifting. Mazda will still develop and market products that focus on offering fine handling and strong performance, but even Mazda can't escape from the requirements to produce more efficient vehicles. In order to reach required miles per gallon rating, Mazda engineers have decided to develop an entirely new lineup of engines. Mazda's Sky engine lineup promises to offer best-in-class fuel efficiency while also providing Mazda products with the performance that's expected of the brand.

Mazda is currently developing two engines with the Sky moniker attached. The gasoline powered variant, the Sky-G, boast just 2.0 liters of displacement and is expected to help the upcoming Mazda3 achieve at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The Sky-G engines utilizes a rather high 14:1 compression ratio that improves its low-end torque. Additionally, the Sky-G engine sports an over-sized 4-2-1 manifold, which furthers boosts power, but requires more packaging space.

Mazda is also developing a diesel-powered engine which will join the Sky engine lineup. Called the Sky-D, this diesel-powered mill meets Euro 6 emissions standards, yet Mazda claims that it costs less to produce than many of the diesel engines manufactured today. Mazda employs a low (for a diesel) 14:1 compression ratio and does not use any particulate traps, as they are not required and add a considerable cost to the engine design.

As AutoBlogGreen reports, Mazda boasts that its Sky-G engines will help many of its vehicles achieve up to 40 miles per gallon, but the company claims that its Sky-D engine will be the real economy champ and help propel some its products to around 45 miles per gallon. Unique designs and new technology will help Mazda catch up to and, in some cases, exceed the efficiency rating of competitors' product.

Source: AutoBlogGreen