Tokyo 2009: Mazda's Sky G and Sky D engines should come with straws for sipping
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 23rd 2009 at 4:29PM 
Mazda Sky D and Sky G engines -- Click above for high-res image gallery
The Mazda Sky D diesel and Sky G gasoline engines are meant to bring "everlasting blue sky" to oversee "sustainable Zoom-Zoom." Both utilize low-friction engine blocks, direct injection and piezo-electric injectors. The Sky G is fitted with a "highly functional variable valve timing mechanism," and the Sky D gets a 2-stage turbocharger besides.
Together with technologies such as the Sky Drive 6-speed transmission, i-stop, regenerative braking and lighter vehicles, these lumps will form the core of Mazda's goal of a 30% increase in fuel economy in the coming years. You can read more about them after the jump, and check them out in the gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mazda Sky D engine
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mazda Sky G engine
Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
Mazda Global Premiere of Eco-Friendly and Powerful Next Generation 'SKY-G' and 'SKY-D' Engines at Tokyo Motor Show 2009
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of its next-generation engine lineup and automatic transmissions at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, to be held from Saturday, October 24 through Wednesday, November 4, 2009. Mazda will exhibit the 'Mazda SKY-G' direct injection gasoline engine, the 'Mazda SKY-D' clean diesel engine and the 'Mazda SKY Drive' high-efficiency automatic transmission. The Tokyo Motor Show, to be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, will also mark the Japan debut of the Kiyora concept car as an exhibit of Mazda's next-generation environmental and safety technologies.
Mazda's theme for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is "The Mazda SKY concept -- Providing driving pleasure and environmental and safety features for all customers!" Under the headings of "Today," "Tomorrow" and "The Future," Mazda will display advanced technologies designed to improve the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally 30 percent by 2015 compared to 2008 levels. This is one of the goals of Mazda's long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.
Mazda is committed to significantly improving the core aspects of its vehicles that affect performance – engines, transmissions, and lighter vehicle weight – in order to achieve elevated driving pleasure together with outstanding environmental and safety features. The Mazda SKY concept defines Mazda's approach to developing next-generation powertrains that will significantly improve the eco-friendliness and dynamic performance of all Mazda vehicles. The SKY concept embodies Mazda's desire to ensure an "everlasting blue sky" under which drivers will always be able to enjoy the fun-to-drive pleasure afforded by owning a Mazda. The concept also reflects the "sky's the limit" aspirations of Mazda's engineers as they employ unconventional thinking to achieve optimal performance in every vehicle that bears the Mazda nameplate.
Based on the SKY concept, Mazda's "Technologies for Tomorrow" display at this year's Tokyo Motor Show will include the next-generation direct injection gasoline Mazda SKY-G engine and the Mazda SKY-D clean diesel engine. Both offer improved eco-friendliness and torque thanks to optimized combustion efficiency. Mazda will also reveal the first next-generation automatic transmission, the Mazda SKY-Drive, which offers first-rate fuel economy and a direct driving performance feel.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hike15 4:39PM (10/23/2009)
So why aren't more automakers doing this? and can they send a few diesels over to the U.S. so there are more options than a Jetta?
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waiownsyou 4:53PM (10/23/2009)
It's the same reason why BMW doesn't offer V4s here or why you can't sell an overpriced Toyota unless it's called Lexus.
Welcome to the American mindset.
zamafir 4:57PM (10/23/2009)
Because it costs money. Car makers CAN do things like this, they can improve fuel efficiency by double digit numbers, it just takes R&D and a concerted focus to do so. Most that stammer about efficiency increases (regardless of anyone's political opinion on the matter) simply do not want to invest in this sort of research and production, other product lines being too lucrative or the organization being too tapped out with a limited focus down the road.
Mazda, VW, fiat with their awesome multiair engines, GM eventually with the Volt (though this mazda solution sounds a lot cheaper and a lot more encompassing) all provide proof that it can be done; but like the headlight, seatbelt, abs, often times it won’t be done until the status quo apple cart is shaken up.
naggs 6:41PM (10/23/2009)
actually in america we like clean air and european diesels would have a dramatic effect on urban and suburban air quality
to meet our higher air quality standards, diesels have to come with miniature chemical factories on board that cost as much or more than a hybrid drivetrain
thats why
Jimbo 9:22PM (10/23/2009)
naggs: The cost of that little chemical factory is still cheaper than a huge battery pack. In most countries, diesels are generally cheaper than hybrids and even in the U.S., diesels pay for themselves long before hybrids do. And diesels sold in Europe are even cleaner than the ones in the U.S.
Hybrids are popular in the U.S. because they have an instantly identifiable green cred and there are several affordable models. The only affordable diesels are the VW Jetta and Golf. That's it. All the other ones are >$30k. Consumers like choice and you don't get that in the U.S. if you want a diesel. Nonetheless, VW can't keep them on dealer lots.
The biggest problem is that the emissions standards for diesel engines are drastically different in the U.S. compared to Europe and elsewhere. Emissions standards for gasoline engines are pretty similar world-wide. Because of that, the mass-produced and efficient European diesels would need to be redesigned for the U.S. market. That is an extremely expensive proposition and when paired with the uncertainty of market acceptance, it is too much of a financial risk for most automakers. The only way we're going to see more diesels is if the U.S. and Europe standardizes their emissions standards. I give that about a snowball's chance in Hell.
naggs 11:41PM (10/23/2009)
cheaper than a li-ion pack maybe
apples to oranges
Jimbo 12:18PM (10/24/2009)
naggs: cheaper than Li-ion AND NiMH, not to mention the added cost of the electric motor. If the diesel emissions technology weren't cheap, it wouldn't be applied to even the cheapest European models. But it is.
Particulate filters and urea injection systems cost roughly the same as a catalytic converter, which happen to be present on every gas vehicle, including hybrids. By the transitive property of mathematics: if (diesel + emissions) = (turbo, DI gas + cat) and (turbo, DI gas + cat) < (gas + motor + battery), then (diesel + emissions) < (gas + motor + battery). I'm not sure how that's even remotely apples to oranges?
Ross 4:55PM (10/23/2009)
Relatively speaking, Mazdas have been guzzlers up to now, so this is perhaps more a catch-up move than a case of breaking new ground.
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Kitko 5:29PM (10/23/2009)
They haven't. You just need to know how to drive them. And I'm not talking hypermilling, I'm talking being dynamic. You can drive a 2.5 liter MZR with the VW 1.9 TDI fuel economy + 10%. And you can drive current Mazda 2.2 MZR-CD with better economy than comparable VW diesels while enjoying higher torque.
Jimbo 9:06PM (10/23/2009)
I call bull$hit. You can't get VW 1.9 TDI fuel economy + 10% from the 2.5 L MZR even if you're driving down hill with the wind in a straight line. And certainly not in the dynamic way a Mazda is meant to be driven.
Visnick 4:56PM (10/23/2009)
A turbo diesel Mazda 3 hatch would sell like hotcakes!
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Frank 4:57PM (10/23/2009)
These guys are incredible. They help bail out the US economy with their product innovation and still deliver technology like this.
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Roundaboutway 5:06PM (10/23/2009)
Great, but when will they be in U.S. products? Maybe I should delay my miata purchase...
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naggs 6:44PM (10/23/2009)
they are promising lower weight on the next miata
maybe DI 1.6, 150 hp 2200 lbs
saucymott 5:13PM (10/23/2009)
More like 30% more boring
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SumideXE 5:17PM (10/23/2009)
If you haven't been looking, there are a few chevrolet gas engines out there with direct injection. More automakers are working on DI engines for the US market thankfully.
The DI 2.0 from mazda should be killer. I really doubt we'll get the diesel though.
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Patapon 6:44PM (10/23/2009)
Is Mazda working on hybrid tech? I wasn't aware of it... The post mentions regenerative braking, but the press release doesn't.
A hybrid wouldn't interest me (without a lot of convincing), but a US-spec turbocharged Mazda(speed)2 with the Sky D would. Or something along those lines.
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Jimbo 8:19PM (10/23/2009)
Regenerative braking does not necessarily mean "hybrid". It can also be used to supplement the vehicle's electrical system, allowing the use of a smaller alternator, which would produce less drag on the engine and could result in a slight increase mileage.
igotzzoom 7:16PM (10/23/2009)
I'd love to see a diesel option for the Mazda 3. But I think a lot of companies are still taking a "wait and see" approach.
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Snowdog 7:30PM (10/23/2009)
Awesome give me the gas version with 6 speed manual in the Mazda 3 hatch (and make it stop grinning like an idiot) and we have sale.
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