Mazda groups suite of new technologies under the “SkyActiv” umbrella

Filed under: Budget, Technology, Hatchback, Mazda, Diesel

Mazda’s SkyActiv technologies – Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps Mazda was given a chance to play with Mercedes-Benz’s nomenclature machine, but the Japanese firm has adjusted the name of its Sky technologies to SkyActiv. These represent the updated components that will appear in Mazda’s next generation of cars, and represent six particular advances, from engines to bodyshells.

The engines formerly known as Sky-D (diesel) and Sky-G (gas) will be the first to contribute to what Mazda calls “sustainable ZoomZoom.” The clean diesel lump has a compression ratio of 14.0:1, touted as the lowest in the world, while the DI gasoline engine has the same ratio, touted as the highest in the world and as having “no abnormal knocking.” The increased engine efficiency is said to result in a 15 percent fuel economy improvement. The Mazda Demio (Mazda2) will be the first to get the SkyActive-G, and the company claims it will get 30 km/l, which equals 70 miles per gallon by our math (read more about this car here).

The rest of the line-up includes SkyActiv-Drive, an automatic transmission with a wider lock-up range, SkyActive-MT, a compact, manual transmission with less weight and a “short stroke and light shift feel,” SkyActiv-Body, a body-in-white that’s eight percent lighter yet 30 percent more rigid, and SkyActiv-Chassis, a 14 percent lighter chassis with a revised suspension. Follow the jump for the full info, and high-res shots of your SkyActiv fantasies are in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mazda’s SkyActiv suite of technologies