Mazda: Can They Do It?

[SLegacy99]

Mazda is planning a 30% fuel economy increase across its lineup by 2016 through new engines, transmissions, and weight reduction, the automaker announced at a press event in Monterey.

With its next-generation 2.0L gasoline engine and six-speed automatic, Mazda plans to match the fuel economy of its current diesel powertrain. Seita Kanai, Mazda's research and development head, is looking at 32 mpg city and 42 mpg highway from the new engine, up from the current engine's 22/32 mpg, Automotive News reports.




The new transmission, through the expansion of its lock-up and a minimization of clutch slippage, will make a 4-7% increase in fuel economy. Mazda attributes a new catalyst material in its catalytic converter for an increase as well.

Another target is weight. Mazda aims to reduce more than 220 lbs. from new models, which should net a 3-5% improvement in fuel economy, according to the automaker. Mazda is perusing the program through new manufacturing processes (hydro-forming, hot stamping), material replacement (magnesium, plastic), and the optimization of vehicle architecture.

How about diesel? Mazda is looking, and sees two problems. For one, the automaker doesn't have an automatic transmission suited for its line of diesels, and two, Mazda believes the U.S. market is still hesitant to accept the powerplant as an alternative to gasoline.

Stop-start technology could make an appearance as well. Mazda says its system, called i-stop, is good for a 10% fuel economy improvement in big cities. The hurdle is EPA testing, which doesn't account for the system's benefits. Mazda and other automakers are in talks with the EPA, seeking an addendum to fuel economy ratings.

Source: Mazda, Automotive News (Subscription required)

http://wot.motortrend.com/6572570/gr...ion/index.html

[SLegacy99]

Mazda will introduce a more fuel-efficient powertrain by 2011, kick-starting its pledge to increase fuel economy across its model line 30 percent by 2015, Automotive News (subscription required) reported today.

Mazda is developing a range of four-cylinder and rotary engines that are expected to result in higher fuel economy ratings.

For example, Seita Kanai, head of Mazda's R&D department, said a redesign of Mazda's best-selling 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with a new six-speed automatic transmission will see city fuel economy increase to 32 miles per gallon from 22. Highway fuel economy would increase to 42 mpg from 32.

"We want to provide this technology to all owners, not just through a few eco-friendly vehicles," Kanai said in a media briefing in Monterey, California.

Mazda did not say which engine or vehicle would be the first to market with the increased efficiency. But Robert Davis, senior vice president of Mazda North American Operations R&D, said the new powertrains cannot be retrofitted to an existing product line.

Given Mazda's product cadence, the redesigned MX-5 convertible or Mazda5 small minivan likely would get the new engines first. The entire model lineup will be equipped with the new engines by 2015, Kanai said.

The 30 percent improvement in fleet fuel economy does not include improvements from idle-stop, regenerative braking or hybrid powertrain development, he said. And although hybrids are a part of Mazda's future, such technology is minor compared to the company's concentration on improving internal combustion engines.



Mazda also is concentrating its R&D resources on rotary engines. The next-generation 1.6-liter rotary is expected to have a "greater than 30 percent" fuel economy improvement while saving weight.

Mazda will not seek in-house improvements in V-6 engines, which are supplied by Ford Motor Co. Those powerplants represent such a small percentage of total Mazda volume that the automaker would prefer to continue sourcing the V-6s from Ford rather than wring improvements from the engines in-house, Kanai said.

In four-cylinder and rotary engines, Mazda said new gasoline direct-injection technology, combined with a high-pressure fuel pump and variable intake and exhaust valve timing, will bring combustion closer to an ideal level in a wider rev range.

Another part of the powertrain efficiency gains come from improved automatic transmissions that are smaller and lighter, yet have more gear ratios and can handle more torque, said Akiro Iwamoto, Mazda staff manager of powertrain technology development.

Mazda also is studying bringing its next-generation diesel engines to the United States. Currently, none of Mazda's diesels are mated to automatic transmissions, a feature generally regarded as necessary in the United States. Mazda also sees significant marketing hurdles in selling diesels to U.S. customers.

Mazda is still studying bringing its idle-stop technology to the United States, Davis said. But the automaker is having a difficult time marketing the fuel-efficiency benefit, mainly because EPA testing does not take idle-stop's efficiencies into account.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradv...e-in-2011.html

[PhilipMSPT]

Good to hear. Lots of ideas being thrown about.

Hopefully, they continue to provide more enthusiastic vehicles in the American market.

[IS-SV]

I think they can do it.

[SLegacy99]

30% seems like a long way to go without hybrids or diesels.

[Blackraven]

Hehe indeed their engineers and technicians will indeed be put to the test here

Nevertheless, if they succeed by 2020, then that would be real impressive IMO

[Jetfire]

Go Mazda, my previous car was a mazda. As long as they do something rather than talk about something like Acura, Mazda will do well. P.S. get rid of the smiley LOL face, please.

[1SICKLEX]

I want Mazda to do it. I can't understand how fuel economy is just stuck where it is. More cars should get 30 MPG or higher.

Sadly it seems Mazda doesn't have any leading mojo here. They simply are a blimp on buyers radar. Hopefully this will help.

They are by far my favorite non luxury car brand.

[SLegacy99]

Weight has really gotten out of control. Safety features are great, but power seats are heavy, with heating and cooling. I think the cooled seats in my dad's IS are pretty pointless.

[Fizzboy7]

I'll believe it when I see it. How many times have we heard this same promise by other manufacturers? (All the time in the last ten years.) It's customary to make grandiose promises and build up interest whether one delivers or not.
What they really need to concentrate on is getting rid of the silly smiley face on all their cars. Can't even take them seriously as a company until their products become more adultlike and less cartoonish.

[jwong77]

Originally Posted by Fizzboy7

I'll believe it when I see it. How many times have we heard this same promise by other manufacturers? (All the time in the last ten years.) It's customary to make grandiose promises and build up interest whether one delivers or not.

They are not Acura. This is the first time I recall Mazda making any big claims.

[UDel]

I doubt Mazda can achieve 32mpg city and 42mpg highway from a normal 4 cylinder unless it just has 80hp and is in a car that weighs only 2000lbs. I hope Mazda still sees a future in the rotary and tries to develop it more and work out the bugs in the design.

I really hope with all of this fuel economy push that companies don't start cutting corners in safety and build quality just to get cars lighter to pass CAFE regulations. I will take a heavier car with worse fuel economy that is safer and better built with durable materials over a lighter more fuel efficient car where safety is compromised to save weight and light cheap plastics was used on parts that should be using stronger more durable materials.

[SLegacy99]

Originally Posted by UDel

I doubt Mazda can achieve 32mpg city and 42mpg highway from a normal 4 cylinder unless it just has 80hp and is in a car that weighs only 2000lbs.

Seems like they would have to run Atkinsons/ottos cycle.

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by SLegacy99

Seems like they would have to run Atkinsons/ottos cycle.

Honda started using modified Atkison for their R series engine (4-cyl). Seems to be working well. Plus, I wonder if MB is making headways in their DIESOTTO project.

HCCI would be good enough right? (the reaction is mostly exothermic I think)

[sleeper408]

A little pressure from future CAFE standards?