Introducing the SKYACTIV-X Engine to West Michigan
Borgman Mazda in Grand Rapids is pleased to announce that Mazda has unveiled their latest breakthrough in fuel efficiency - the SKYACTIV-X engine. Mazda turned the conventional gasoline engine on its head to achieve fuel efficiency numbers 20% to 30% better than even their own 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine.In a gasoline engine, air and fuel are mixed at typically a 14.7 to 1 ratio. This mixture is compressed and ignited by a spark plug, and the explosion pushes the piston down and turns the engine. In a diesel engine however, there are no spark plugs: the fuel-air mixture is squeezed so hard it combusts. The SKYACTIV-X engine incorporates both in the combustion chamber. The spark plug starts the reaction, and the wave of pressure squeezes and combusts the rest of the fuel. Mazda calls this "Spark-Controlled Compression Ignition."
What's amazing here is that the engine is capable of running and producing power at ratios exceeding a 30 to 1 air/fuel mix. That is an enormous leap in efficiency over traditional engines, but if you're worried about losing that spirited driving experience Mazda is known for, don't worry. The engine can dial this feature up or down depending on the driving situation. For a more in-depth look at exactly how this engine works, head over to the EngineeringExplained YouTube Channel.The following is an article published on Inside Mazda explains some things to know about the new engine. Here are some highlights:
Even after more than 100 years of internal combustion engine technology, Mazda believes there’s plenty of progress still to be made. That’s why engineers at Mazda have spent decades working toward developing an internal combustion engine that has the power and efficiency of a diesel but can run on much-more-common gasoline.
With high efficiency across a wide spectrum of engine speeds and engine loads, this revolutionary engine provides drivers with the exhilarating driving performance they expect from a Mazda with the superior fuel economy they deserve, operating more efficiently whether cruising along or being used in higher-performance driving scenarios.
Mazda has announced that it will be creating hybrid and electric technologies as markets and regulations continue to evolve. But rather than stick an electric motor onto any old gas engine, Mazda’s engineers felt it was necessary to “max out” the gasoline engine. As Mazda has done for decades upon decades, its mighty team of engineers continue to tinker with technologies, improving when others give up and never tiring of challenging convention.
You can read the full article by visiting InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com.