Mazda's Clever 175bhp Petrol Engine Does 52mpg And Emits Only 96g/km
When Mazda launched its all new 3 not so long ago, there was a conspicuous absence from the engine line-up: the much-anticipated SkyActiv-X high compression engine. But it’s due to join the range soon, and now Mazda has confirmed the specs.
The 2.0-litre engine is good for 175bhp at 6000rpm and 165lb ft of torque at 3000rpm, and yet, it’ll do 52.3mpg according to the much more stringent WLTP cycle, dropping to 50.4mpg if you spec the 18-inch wheels. In terms of CO2 emissions, it puffs out just 96g/km.
The SkyActiv-X uses a concept called Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition. It works with a much leaner fuel/air mix than other petrol engines, which under normal conditions wouldn’t ignite. This is then compressed almost to the point of ignition, at which point the spark plugs fire, causing an expanding fireball which triggers the correct conditions for combustion to occur.
Clever tech, in other words, and it’ll be used in the creation of Mazda’s all-new straight-six.
To increase efficiency further, Mazda has added its ‘M Hybrid technology’ - a 24-volt mild-hybrid system which recovers energy when the car is decelerating, ready to deploy once it’s on the move again. This tech appears on all 3s.
The SkyActiv-X-powered Mazda 3 will be on sale later this year for a yet-to-be-revealed figure. To give you some idea of how it might cost, the entry-level, 120bhp SkyActiv-G hatchback starts at £20,595.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
The front gives off some Lagonda Taraf vibes or is it just me?
Dammit! Not I can’t unsee it lol. A Japanese Aston-Martin :P
whoa yeah…
Mazda was first
I really wanna drive one just to see the future of the petrol engine
Apparently it’s still really good to drive, even with the torsion bar rear suspension
There are very few applications where a bigger grill has made a car look a lot better. This is one of them. It’s still the MX-5 with a trunk that we’ve come to know and love but it’s still a very humble and I love that. It doesn’t go out of it’s way to make a show for itself, it just does what it knows how to do
I don’t see how a 3 is an MX-5. Have you driven one?
The real question here is how wheel size affected the MPG by so much. Presumably, the overall circumference (i.e. gear ratio) is the same for both options…
It should be, but larger wheels are heavier and if you have larger wheels, you have thinner sidewalls which might require changes to the tyre that increase rolling resistance.
The 3 is so beautiful!
i agree with you on the front but the rear is far better in the photos than in the metal
this engine doesn’t even meet the average fleet wide emissions placed by the eu for 2021 (albeit by 1 g). It doesn’t mean that this engine is already obsolete, but it gives you a good idea of how tough those emissions standards are and how the life of the ICE may be coming to an end.
I have so much respect for Mazda. They have climbed up to be one of my favorite brands.