Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
8/29/11 2:03 p.m.

I've heard some mixed reports on this.

Is the Skyactiv engine suite coming for 2012 in the Mazda 3 and 5, or is it further off? The latest issue of Zoom-Zoom had nothing for me. NOTHING!

RexSeven
RexSeven SuperDork
8/29/11 4:44 p.m.

Last I checked the SkyActiv gas engine and transmissions were to debut in the Mazda3 in the US late this year, in the MY2012 cars. No word on the diesel or if/when the engine will spread to other models, though the diesel will be coming to the US.

njansenv
njansenv HalfDork
8/29/11 5:45 p.m.

I'm pretty sure I want a diesel Mazda3, but time will tell...

Jay_W
Jay_W Dork
8/29/11 6:19 p.m.

'Specially if it's gonna twist 340 ftlb

integraguy
integraguy SuperDork
8/29/11 9:05 p.m.

I read in a magazine with a name that abbreviates to C & something else, that the Mazda3 will get an OPTIONAL SkyActiv engine in 2012. In the Sport model (I think), it may not be available, but in the Touring models it will be.

Don't look for it in the 2, a better bet is in the 6. It appears to be poised as an alternative to the 2 liter engine in the cars that use that engine. Also wouldn't look for it in the 5.

As far as the diesel? Mazda keeps "hinting" that it's almost here, perhaps in 2013? I'm not holding my breathe. Too bad that Mazda won't take the diesel leap...it would be yet another point that sets them apart from other cars and a diesel in the 6 would make that car even more competitive with the Passat. BTW, Mazda has at least as much experience with diesels as VW.

RexSeven
RexSeven SuperDork
8/29/11 9:55 p.m.

The SkyActiv-D passes the US's uber-strict diesel regulations, so it WILL make it to the US, it's just that I've only heard of the SkyActiv-G making it to the US in time for MY2012.

The Mazda Demio (JDM Mazda2) now has a 1.3L version of the SkyActiv-G that gets 55.8mpg on the Japanese cycle. It's rather down on power compared to the current USDM gas engine (est. 86hp SkyActiv vs. 100hp 1.5L), so it's not likely to make it to the US without some serious revisions.

Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
9/10/11 7:36 p.m.

It might make sense to offer it as an option at first, so they can work the bugs out without affecting the entire fleet line.

If they still made the 6 wadon, it would be a better fit, but since that option is RIGHT OUT, it is likely the next car purchase options will look like this:

  1. Mazda 3
  2. Mazda 5
  3. Jetta Diesel Wagon
  4. GTI
Rufledt
Rufledt HalfDork
9/10/11 9:12 p.m.

A salesman I talked to (dangerous starting words, I know) said the 2 will get a skyactiv engine for 2012, but only the second half of 2012. Sounded like a dumb plan, and he agreed, saying how hard it would be to move a 2 with the old engine when the new ones were coming so soon.

integraguy
integraguy SuperDork
9/11/11 7:41 a.m.

AutoWeek says that the new CX-5 (Mazda's answer to the CR-V and RAV-4) will have the SkyActiv engine and that the name also applies to the tech in the newest Mazda transmissions. (Some Mazda models may get the transmission before the engine?) The CX-5 is also slated to get the diesel...but again, probably "sometime in 2013".

Other markets, probably NOT the U.S. MAY be offered CX-5s with diesel, manual transmissions, AND AWD. AutoWeek tested Euro and Russian spec CX-5s...but no U.S. spec CX-5s.

carguy123
carguy123 SuperDork
9/11/11 9:09 a.m.

I've never heard of a SkyActiv engine is it one of the new crop of turbo charged smaller engines manufacturers are using to meet Cafe requirements like Ford's Ecoboost?

tuna55
tuna55 SuperDork
9/11/11 11:11 a.m.
carguy123 wrote: I've never heard of a SkyActiv engine is it one of the new crop of turbo charged smaller engines manufacturers are using to meet Cafe requirements like Ford's Ecoboost?

Nope, just a super high compression 4 cylinder that should bring the 3 from 33 hwy to 40. Big deal for Mazda, their fuel economy needs to catch up.

Schmidlap
Schmidlap HalfDork
9/11/11 1:00 p.m.

Super high compression ratio for the gas engines. The diesel SkyActives actually have a relatively low compression ratio (compared to other diesels it's low, I think it's around 14:1), to keep NOX in check, and to cut the weight pretty dramatically. And they'll make power up to 5200 RPM!

Here's Mazda's SkyActiv page with info about the engines, transmission and platform.

Bob

Knurled
Knurled GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
9/11/11 2:00 p.m.
Schmidlap wrote: Super high compression ratio for the gas engines. The diesel SkyActives actually have a relatively low compression ratio (compared to other diesels it's low, I think it's around 14:1), to keep NOX in check, and to cut the weight pretty dramatically. And they'll make power up to 5200 RPM!

The gas engines are about 14:1 too.

What blows my mind about the diesel is that they plan on using deliberate reversion to allow the thing to run at idle. Kinda like an inverse of the Miller Cycle. Sounds pretty scary as far as robustness is concerned.

This is also the company that made a stop-start engine that would stop the engine at the top of a compression stroke, and then restart it by knowing which spark plug to fire. Didn't work all that well in practice, I gather.

nderwater
nderwater Dork
9/11/11 8:25 p.m.

Great article: http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/2105/131-compression-and-40-mpg-on-87-octane-fuel-introducing-mazdas-skyactiv-technology.aspx

RexSeven
RexSeven SuperDork
9/27/11 10:57 p.m.

Hate to necropost (I'm not a canoe, I promise! I don't float very well, for starters...), but for anyone who is interested, Mazda made a Facebook post that says the SkyActiv Mazda3s will be launched at select Mazda stealerships starting October 15th. A dealership in Palm Beach, FL confirms this:

http://royalpalmmazdablog.com/delray-mazda-fans-will-see-skyactiv-earlier-than-expected/

bastomatic
bastomatic Dork
9/28/11 7:44 a.m.

If Mazda brings the skyactiv to the 5 with the 6-speed manual, I'll be there.

Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
9/28/11 9:50 p.m.

Interesting tidbit about select dealerships. Pity the 2012 Mazda 3 colors pretty much suck.

RexSeven
RexSeven SuperDork
9/28/11 10:38 p.m.

In reply to bastomatic: Probably won't happen till the next product cycle or unless the CX-5 and Mazda3 see big boosts in sales. The current platforms aren't compatible with the SkyActiv gearboxes and the Mazda5 isn't the sales leader the Mazda3 is.

Interestingly, the CX-5 cute-ute, which will have the SkyActiv transmissions and lighter monocoque, is projected to get 40mph highway, same as the 2012 Mazda3 which will only get the SkyActiv engine. I wonder what mileage a 200lb-lighter Mazda3 with the SkyActiv 6-speed would get...

In reply to Brett_Murphy: TRUTH. If something happens to my MS3, I might go shopping for a Metropolitan Gray Mica or Cosmic Blue 1st gen. MS3. My MS3 wears its appliance silver pretty well, but CB and MGM look stunning in person. The current color choices? Meh.

Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
9/28/11 10:44 p.m.

I read somewhere that the North American Mazda 3 isn't going to make all of the the power it can because it 4-2-1 header won't fit past the firewall or past the right hand drive configuration or something.

RexSeven
RexSeven SuperDork
9/28/11 10:59 p.m.

Yep:

http://www.insideline.com/mazda/cx-5/2013/2013-mazda-cx-5-prototype-first-drive.html (third section, third paragraph)

4-2-1 header won't fit so the compression is reduced even further to 12:1. Still, 40mpg highway for the sedan is competitive in its class, and it needs it since the Joker grin and so-last-year 35mpg are scaring away buyers.

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