Mazda3

[parakitoJDM]

Mazda SkyActiv technology, an AutoWeek Flash Drive Car Review
By: Mark Vaughn on 8/05/2011

Read more: Mazda SkyActiv technology, an AutoWeek Flash Drive Car Review - AutoWeek

What is it?

Mazda's coming SkyActiv technology is not just a couple of engines, a torque converter or a transmission--it is a whole new, more efficient way of engineering cars. Really.

While every carmaker is eventually going to have to make electric cars, hybrids and maybe even fuel cells, Mazda thinks that, for the more or less immediate future, we're going to continue using internal combustion. So Mazda tweaked the heck out of internal-combustion processes that have been in place for more than 100 years, coming up with solutions that make you wonder why no one else has done this stuff.

The neatest of the technologies we saw was the pair of engines, one gasoline and one diesel, and the neatest thing about them is the compression ratios. Both gasoline and diesel engines will get compression ratios of 14:1.

Yes, 14:1.

Let's start with the gasoline version. While a normal gasoline engine gets a compression ratio of maybe 10:1 (even a Ferrari 458 Italia has only 12.5:1), Mazda will soon offer 14:1. At least outside of the United States. Because of our insistence on regular gasoline or death, Mazda SkyActiv gasoline engines in the United States will only have a 13:1 ratio. And the first application of this, the Mazda 3 this fall, will have only 12:1 because the required 4-2-1 longer exhaust header won't fit into the current 3. But even at 12:1, it's still pretty cool stuff.

Normally high compression would result in pre-ignition, or knock, blowing holes in pistons. The longer 4-2-1 header manages backflow and reduces the amount of hot exhaust gas getting back into the combustion chamber, which in turn reduces temperature and helps prevent knock. The lower temp mixes the air and fuel more completely. A uniquely shaped piston crown also helps. As a result, torque goes up by 15 percent from 1,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm, and fuel economy goes up 15 percent, to 40 mpg highway. Peak output for the 2.0-liter gasoline engines we drove was 165 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.

The diesel is different. Diesels need high compression of about 18:1 to operate efficiently, right? But Mazda found that by lowering compression to 14:1, the fuel and air could mix better and therefore burn more completely. High-pressure, multihole piezo injectors, a two-stage turbo and variable valve timing on the exhaust further cleans up combustion. Oxides of nitrogen and soot are both lower than in a conventional diesel without requiring urea injection.

For more on these technologies, visit MAZDA: SKYACTIV-D | ENGINE | SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY.

Torque is routed to new transmissions. The SkyActiv-Drive automatic has a multiclutch torque converter that locks up quicker and more often. The SkyActiv-MT manual has a shorter-throw shifter and a more efficient routing of torque through the gearsets.

Other SkyActiv changes include a lighter, tighter chassis and greater use of aluminum in the suspension. The Mazda 6-size platforms we drove are 220 pounds lighter by efficiently designing the body and adding more high-strength steel.

What is it like to drive?

We got to pilot some new SkyActiv gasoline and diesel powertrains packaged inside several riveted-together engineering mules (officially called Technology Prototype Vehicles, or TPVs) sporting the bodywork of current Mazda 6 sedans and the chassis and drivetrains of new SkyActiv vehicles that we assumed were Mazda 6-size. The first thing we noticed was that the new torque converter on the automatic did, indeed, make for faster, tighter shifts, both up and down. It rivals dual-clutch automatics but with greater versatility. The manual shifter felt light and tight, too, though we didn't quite get the promised the "feel of an MX-5."

The 2.2-liter diesel engine revved beyond its incredible 5,200-rpm redline and pulled strong the whole way. Most conventional diesels drop off much sooner. The diesel makes 310 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 rpm and 173 hp at 4,500 rpm. It felt as strong as the conventional 2.5-liter Mazda 6 we also piloted. Mazda says the SkyActiv-D makes 20 percent better fuel economy, too. It still had that somewhat rattly diesel sound to it, though.

The 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G gasoline engine also felt about as strong as the conventional 2.5-liter in a Mazda 6 we got to drive back-to-back.

Do I want one?

The proof in the pudding will be fuel mileage--which we weren't able to measure on our short drives--and engine durability. Mazda said the difference in fuel efficiency between 13:1 and 14:1 compression in the gasoline engine is "a minor impact" and that, even with regular gasoline, fuel economy is still between 12 percent and 13 percent better. Whether Mazda will actually offer 14:1 diesels and 13:1 gasoline engines will also remain to be seen. But this early look at such potentially revolutionary technology for everyday cars is highly promising.

Engineers said the cost of SkyActiv technology is no more than conventional cars, too.

The Mazda 3 will get a 2.0-liter SkyActiv gasoline engine this fall, perhaps as early as October. The new CX-5 will get it next, in early 2012. Look for SkyActiv-D diesel engines in late 2012 or early 2013.

And that's not all.

"This is the first step," an engineer said. "We've already started on the next stages."

[mikehunter1980]

i have cylinder head for mazda 3 1.6 with intake manifold
pm me...

[jrjuan]

Is this time of the year a bad period to buy the mazda3? I mean it is due for a refresh right? Kaso the prices are really tempting!

[dyran_blue]

Hi guys, Im new here in the forum, I want to ask does anybody here owned a BLUE limited edition of 2011 model Mazda 3 1.6L V A/T Sedan? Im just curious when did it starts to come out. Does anybody have inputs. Salamat po...

[imogen]

tanong lang po, may nakapag idle learn na po ba sa inyo sa mga mazda 3 nyo? how is the procedure? may distributor parin po ba mga mazda or electronically controlled narin ang spark plugs? maraming salamat po

[fiesta_sedan]

Hello Guys,

Pabenta lang ng freind ko...


FOR SALE
Mazda 3 Sports mode 1.6 2011 model
Automatic
Blue
15k km only

670K only....

please txt me for faster transaction....0917 8858826
or email me (framemaker_99*yahoo.com) ...for picture of the car...

thank you....

[hench7]

Is this time of the year a bad period to buy the mazda3? I mean it is due for a refresh right? Kaso the prices are really tempting!

Sir, may I ask kung gaano ka tempting yun offer nila?

Kung ok pa naman yun porma ng Mazda sayo, and swak sa budget, it doesn't matter kung due for new generation na siya... million dollar question is, how much discount are they giving right now???

[dragon21]

A year ago, I was able to get a discount of P109k for the M3 2.0l from Ryan Ramos of Mazda GH from P1.039M to 930k. Paid cash. I'm pretty sure you can get at least 50k discount for the 1.6.

Then I got 65k discount for the CX9, earlier this year.

[euro_c]

Anyone know where I can get an extra remote flip key for our M3? The dealer was quoting me a 20k-ish price! =S

I didn't believe the service guy so I'm asking around.

[speedtrap]

Hi! Anu-ano po ang models/variants ng Mazda 3 dito sa atin?
Ang may nakikita lang kasi ako na specifications ay sa:

1.6V
1.6S
2.0R

Then lahat AT right? ok naman po ba ang transmission nito hindi po kaya madaling masira lalo na kung used car na 2003-2004 models?

may nakikita rin kasi ako na 1.6L? or 1.6 Liters lang ibig sabihin nun?

[paolo37]

Yes sir.. 2 lang clase ng engine displacement ng mazda 3 dito satin sa pinas... 1.6 v and s variant and 2.0 r variant...

[remleseyer]

Hi Mazda folks, I need help. My 6yr old MZ3 2.0 rear tail lights started to mist and store water. I was told hindi na repairable yun . Please advise. Kaya pa ba ma-repair yun? If not where is the best place to buy replacement rear tail lights for an MZ3?

Also I think my fan belt needs replacing na rin saan ba ok magpa-palit ng fan belt?

Thanks!

[King12]

Guys Planning to sell my MZ3, 1.6... Bought in 2007 and in pretty good condition... What is the going rate? TY

[GTS925]

How is the FC of the 2.0 Mazda 3?

[GTS925]

Guys how much toh and san nakakabili?

[GTS925]

Tail lights.

[Bravoexo]

Try C3 4x4

[popoy78]

hi guys, if buying a 2nd hand mazda 3 say model 2005-6, what would be the things i need to check and watch out for? Things/ parts that i most probably need to fix/ replace. I guess one would be the shock absorbers

[germs]

I don't know if this has been posted here already, but I saw the pricing for the new Mazda3, and here it goes:

2.0 Hatch P1,290,000.00
1.6 Hatch P1,098,000.00
1.6 Sedan P999,000.00

Apparently, the first batch will come from Japan, ala Civic kaya mahal.

[euro_c]

Yup, saw the 2.0 version in the flesh but its actually a sedan. Same engine and same 4 speed at pa din.

But the interior is nice and has a lot of toys. Cruise control, paddle shift, multi info display etc.

The color gray is nice. Mazda Makati has a white one on site as well.