News that Mazda develops a new SkyActiv-X engine isn’t fresh. Still, it seems like we are finding out new details about it every day. Unlike the most of carmakers that insist on the new electric ways of moving their cars, Mazda is consistent on sticking to internal-combustion engines. The reasons are numerous. While the electric motors are usually seen as CO2-free units, things are a little bit different. Moreover, people in Mazda’s management are pretty sure that further modification will make future gasoline units as clean as electric motors. So, what’s the catch?
Mazda Insist on “Well to Wheel” Measurement
This carmaker doesn’t take current measurement techniques for a grant. As you may know, the current methods can measure emission only during driving. Still, things are far more complex. So-called “well to wheel” principle includes not only driving but also process of making the electricity, as well as the process of car making. If we consider that a big majority of today’s electricity is coming from plants that use brown coal, it seems pointless to speak about environment-friendly electric cars. In most of the cases, electric cars are as dirty as those with internal combustion engines.
Here is some basic calculation:
Let’s say that an average electric car needs around 20 kWh for 100 km. If an EV uses the electricity for the plant that uses brown coal, it turns out that it is actually “good” for about 200g per 100 km. with petroleum, things are a little bit better – 156g/km; while the cleanest way is with LNG (liquefied petroleum gas) – 100g/km. So, an average emission of an EV would be around 128g per 100 km. For comparison, the current Mazda’s SkyActive G engine marks around 142g per 100 km. This means for about 10 percent more.
Considering these basic calculations, Mazda’s claims sound pretty logical. If the new-generation manages to cut CO2 emission for just 10 percent, it would be equally clean as any EV. Not to mention the driving experience that is definitely on the side of the internal-combustion engine.
Mazda SkyActive-X will be the first petrol engine to use compression ignition, which spontaneously ignites the fuel-air mixture when compressed by the piston
The new engine from the Japanese manufacturer will take the best from gasoline and diesel engine. It will be the first petrol engine to use compression ignition, which spontaneously ignites the fuel-air mixture when compressed by the piston. What this actually means? Well, it means that the so-called SPCCI technology means combining the spark ignition of a petrol engine with compression ignition of a diesel. It actually means a variable air-to-fuel mixture, which provides much better efficiency.
In reality, this actually means a far better number of the new SkyActive-X engine. Compared to current-generation gasoline engines, it will have up to 30% more torque, as well as 20-30% better efficiency, which will actually mean even better fuel economy than the current SkyActive-D diesel engine.
When could we expect to see a new SkyActive-X engine?
All these claims from Mazda sound great on the paper. Still, we will see how the things will be going in real-time conditions. Fortunately, we will not have to wait for a long period. According to some reports, the new engine will be completely finished in about two years. Some sources suggest that the first car to get this new engine would be a new Mazda 3, one of the company’s bestsellers. Another thing that could bother many potential drivers would be a price of the car with such engine. Still, Mazda assures us that the price will be in a range with the current SkyActive-D diesel engine.