All-New Mazda3 Becomes First Model To Receive Skyactiv-X Engine
What is the Skyactiv-X engine and what does it mean for the future of Mazda vehicles?
October 04, 2019
The latest generation Mazda3 has become the first production-ready car from the Japanese car manufacturer to be fitted with a Skyactiv-X powertrain and it’s available to order at a Sandicliffe near you.
But what does this mean and how does it differ from the existing Skyactiv engine being used at the moment? In other words, what is the value of X?
This is a huge moment for car engineering worldwide and despite manufacturers from all over the world trying to achieve something this substantial, Mazda succeeds as the first to bring it to life and into production.
The Skyactiv-X is a petrol engine that implements Mazda-patented technology called Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) to achieve low emissions, high power and a sensational drive.
Mazda explains: “An extremely lean mix of fuel and air are compressed to an extremely high pressure. A spark then ignites a very small, dense amount of fuel, which further raises the heat and pressure in the cylinder, causing the remaining fuel to ignite under pressure (like a diesel). The fuel burns more quickly and more completely so you get better performance and fewer emissions than a conventional engine.”
It’s no secret that Mazda advocates for cars with better fuel economy and thanks to the sheer passion that goes into creating genuinely innovative engine technology, Mazda has concocted something worthy of your undivided attention.
The first production cycle of the Skyactiv-X comes in the form of a 2.0-litre unit capable of a powerful 178bhp with 244Nm of torque. When compared to the conventional Mazda petrol engine, torque is considerably higher in the Skyactiv-X than it is in the other. Additionally, peak torque is reached at a much lower rev range than the comparable powertrain.
Fuel economy on a combined cycle achieves 52.3mpg with CO2 emissions being as low as 99g/km (using WLTP testing). The Skyactiv-X also manages to run a 16:3:1 compression ratio which turns out to be the highest of its kind and higher than most diesel powertrains.
That means, so far you have outstanding power and acceleration, smooth traction, strong responsiveness, and exceptional real fuel economy… So, what’s the catch? Surprisingly, there isn’t one. Mazda describes the revolutionary powertrain as “a high-revving, powerful petrol engine” that “sips fuel like a diesel.”
Put simply, the Skyactiv-X takes all the good from a petrol engine and all the good from a diesel engine to create a powertrain that ticks all the boxes. For example, through SPCCI, the Skyactiv-X is able to enjoy the high torque responsiveness of a diesel engine with the high-power output of a petrol engine and does so whilst emitting low carbon emissions and returning strong fuel economy.
This means you’ll be able to switch between a diesel-like powertrain and a typically-petrol combustion cycle seamlessly, making every journey you take revolutionary.
The Skyactiv-X engine-fitted Mazda3 hatchback is available to order at your local Sandicliffe Mazda dealership today. Choose from Sport, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech trims with either manual or automatic transmissions and experience the evolution of engine technology first-hand.
