Mazda uses new technology to give spark to gasoline engine

Mazda Motor Corp, Japan’s automaker has zoomed past its global rivals to develop an engine which ignites gasoline using combustion ignition technology which is a fuel saving process and considered as a holy grail of efficient gasoline engines. With the global emissions regulations getting tougher, not only could this technology prolong the life of internal combustion engines, but also improve the greener engines as they can be used to produce more efficient gasoline hybrid and plug in hybrid vehicles.

Mazda will showcase the Skyactiv-X technology during the week at the Tokyo Motor Show. It will launch the engine in 2019 and will deliver as much as 30% fuel efficiency over the Skyactiv-G engine, which is already one of the most fuel efficient gasoline engines in the market currently. Mazda accounts for only a sliver of global car sales and churns out around 1.6 million in annual vehicle sales. Its R&D budget is about a tenth that of Toyota Motor Corp. The company is betting big on this technology. Various automakers with huge spending budgets have invested in the development of a host of new technologies, which include gasoline hybrids, fuel cell vehicles and battery electric cars as a significant fuel alternative to gasoline and diesel vehicles.

Mazda believes that fuel sipping engines are a better way to reduce the carbon emissions than cars powered by fossil fuel generated electricity. The latest technology is a variant of homogenous charge combustion ignition technology which carries the clean burning qualities of gasoline engines and the fuel economy. The engineering team of Mazda began the development of the engine around the time it concluded developing its Skyactiv-G engine which was introduced in 2011. Engineers at other automakers have struggled with the development of a cost effective way to control the HCCI process which requires precise timing inside the engine chamber to achieve efficient ignition.

The Skyactiv-X engine consists of three additional components as compared to Skyactiv-G, it includes a high pressure fuel system to create the right fuel mix and a supercharger and an in cylinder sensor to monitor the combustion process. The cost of this new engine will fall between a gasoline and a diesel engine. Mazda could win the customers who are looking for an inexpensive, fuel saving option that does not require battery recharging time or infrastructure. It is simple, inexpensive and straight forward.

The automaker could bring about a significant change in the automobile industry with this engine. While various major automakers are trying to build a fuel efficient engine, Mazda has come out as a clear winner for now.