What Is SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY?

SKYACTIV® Engines

While Mazda is working on alternative energy solutions, the automaker also wanted to maximize the capability of the naturally aspirated gasoline engine. There are certainly some great hybrid and electric cars on the market right now, but they’re either too expensive for the average driver or can’t deliver the same driving dynamics as a traditional gasoline engine.

With the SKYACTIV®-G GASOLINE engine, Mazda has raised the compression ratio with a direct-injection system, reduced friction, and raised oil and water pump efficiency. The end result is an engine with more torque and higher levels of efficiency. There are currently two versions—a 2.0L 4-cylinder and 2.5L 4-cylinder, with a 2.2L diesel machine coming later in 2017.

SKYACTIV® Transmission

A transmission is important for both driving dynamics and fuel economy. With its six-speed automatic transmission, Mazda wanted something with the control of an automatic mixed with the connected nature and great fuel economy of a manual. The Mazda SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC is a transmission that takes a torque converter from an automatic and a clutch from a manual, managed by an advanced control model. Essentially, it’s a manual transmission that does the shifting for itself. But for manual purists, there’s also the SKYACTIV®-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL.

SKYACTIV® Body and Chassis

Another method of improving fuel economy is to reduce weight in a car by lightening its load. The Mazda chassis proves humble at low speeds and stable at high speeds, and the frame is built from ultra-high tensile-strength steel for a lighter, stiffer, stronger vehicle.

i-ELOOP

When driving, the engine builds up kinetic energy. Most of this is lost when you brake, though, which traditionally is wasted as heat escape from the brakes. i-ELOOP is a regenerative braking system that takes that kinetic energy and changes it to electricity. Once the car is stopped, the energy rescued by i-ELOOP is used to power the car’s electronics, including the headlights, climate control, and MAZDA CONNECT® infotainment system. This lessens the burden on the engine and in turn improves fuel economy.