Future Mazda Petrol Engines Won't Have Spark Plugs

Mazda is reportedly working on an 'HCCI' engine for the next 3 hatchback, which will use compression for ignition rather than spark plugs
Future Mazda Petrol Engines Won't Have Spark Plugs

It’s pretty clear Mazda likes to do things its own way with engines. Its history is littered with unconventional rotary-powered cars, and while almost all of the motoring world - for better or worse - switches to downsized turbo engines, Mazda’s petrol engines are still of the naturally-aspirated variety.

The latest sign of the company forging its own path is arguably the most intriguing however, as Mazda is reportedly working on a petrol engine that does without spark plugs.

According to a report in Nikkei - picked up this week by Autoblog and a few other outlets - Mazda will incorporate a new ‘homogeneous charge compression ignition’ engine into the next Mazda3 hatchback next year. So what the hell is HCCI?

Remote video URL

Our friend Jason - aka Engineering Explained - provided the helpful video above a few months ago. But to break it down to its most simple level, HCCI uses compression rather than a spark for ignition, much like a diesel.

Crucially though, it’s more efficient than diesel engines and conventional petrols, leading to a potential 30 per cent drop in emissions for the next Mazda3.

HCCI engines are already a thing, but they’ve yet to make it into the world of production cars. Assuming Mazda and other manufacturers can get over a few hurdles (the high pressures involved make wear an issue, for instance), HCCI technology might well be the future of the internal combustion engine, providing a stepping stone of sorts before the inevitable rise of the electric car.

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Comments

Norbert Taraszka

So Mazda invented petrol powered diesel :D

01/17/2017 - 17:13 |
446 | 0
Anonymous

And after a few months Mazda would announce that they have no plans for it, just like Rx9

01/17/2017 - 17:16 |
6 | 4
Formula_Azurewolf

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Unlike the RX-9, an HCCI petrol engine actually fits the SkyActiv motto that Mazda currently adopts, and is actually a good idea.

01/17/2017 - 19:33 |
6 | 0
SupercarClub

Is Mazda gonna dump this idea like how they dumped the RX9?

01/17/2017 - 17:18 |
66 | 4

No because this is actually a good idea. Ist actually an eficient, cost effective, marketable and scalable engine. It would probably need only minor retooling and redesing of engine heads to work.

01/17/2017 - 17:28 |
22 | 4

The rx-9 isnt dead yet even though they say it is. Some companies in the past have a history of saying they canned and idea for a car but really they come oit a few years later witha production car

01/17/2017 - 21:05 |
12 | 2

This concept is under academic research since 1980’s and a lot has been done. It’s not like mazda invented this tech or took it from concept to production.

Though, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll dump spark plugs altogether.

01/18/2017 - 04:21 |
6 | 0
TheCopenGuy

Can’t wait for the next Mazda 2. I’m not really interested in the larger mazda 3. And also the next miata, can’t wait for that too. Mazda is like the only brand I’m really looking forward to, since most manufacturers are going turbo in the future.

01/17/2017 - 17:19 |
38 | 0

Why does Mazda seem to eschew turbo engines?

06/12/2017 - 16:04 |
0 | 0
Jonathan

So, HCCI rotaries anyone?

01/17/2017 - 17:24 |
150 | 0
Dzonny the e36 maniaq

In reply to by Jonathan

Double the reliability issues XD

01/17/2017 - 17:31 |
226 | 6

Impossible due to low compression in rotary engines.

01/17/2017 - 18:09 |
26 | 0
Anonymous

FOR BETTER OR WORTH!!!!

01/17/2017 - 17:25 |
0 | 8
Callum Scoular

So I take it they will have some form of heater (glow plugs) for the fuel on a cold start. This is quite an exciting engine tbf, I can’t wait to see one if and when they make them

01/17/2017 - 17:29 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Forget about this, just do a rotary powered RX9

01/17/2017 - 17:36 |
18 | 4
Minh-Dang

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

But what if the rotary didn’t have spark plugs? Illuminati confirmed.

01/17/2017 - 21:22 |
16 | 2
[Flux]

Soooo….diesel, but not diesel?
I’m interested! :D

01/17/2017 - 17:43 |
16 | 0
6-6 Ginger

It’ll definitely be interesting to see how this turns out.

01/17/2017 - 18:42 |
2 | 0