The diesel story is the best part of it all. The Sky-D engine will come to Canada and the U.S. in 2012, boasting the same level of fuel economy as mild hybrids, but at considerably less cost. Hybrids are surely coming, but first Mazda wants new engines and ever-lighter cars to be the focus of a smart and economical “green†push. Eventually, and certainly with Toyota's help, Mazda will introduce some sort of hybrid powertrain. Then EVs.
“We will be ready,†said Yamanouchi in New York. “We have electric vehicle research under way at the moment – and remember Mazda launched its first EV 40 years ago.â€
But it's the new Sky-G and Sky-D engines that have everyone at Mazda so excited. They think that super-refined, highly advanced internal combustion engines will give Mazda a clear edge over all its rivals – from Toyota to Honda to even BMW.
We know this: the first Mazda diesel coming to North America will be a mid-sized vehicle. Yamanouchi, the CEO, has said that, though he has not said whether it would be the redesigned Mazda6 or a crossover such as the CX-9.
Robert Davis, Mazda's North American R&D expert, says Mazda's proprietary catalyst system does not require urea systems to meet emissions standards. The 2.2-litre Sky-D is expected to boost fuel economy by 20 per cent, while increasing horsepower and torque by some 50 per cent. The direct-injection 2.0 Sky-G, for the record, will initially boost fuel economy by 15 per cent. It will be the core gasoline powertrain in future Mazdas.
“Out technology is not about jumping directly to electric vehicles,†said Kanai, adding, “We believe technology should be affordable for all customers.â€