SKYACTIV and the zen of zoom-zoom

MANILA, Philippines - The first time I encountered the term “SKYAKTIV,” I was deep in the heart of Mazda—no less than the company’s nerve center right smack in Hiroshima, Japan. (Yes, that Hiroshima.) It was two years ago and we were there to take advance peeks at the then-preproduction Mazda CX-5 as well as a clay model of the upcoming BT-50 pickup (not to mention the spectacular Shinari concept car).   

Fast forward two years later and SKYACTIV is fast becoming the buzzword of the zoom-zoom crowd. That’s because Mazda Philippines is set to introduce SKYACTIV technology in the all-new Mazda CX-5. Simply put, SKYACTIV technology is designed to increase fuel efficiency and engine output while providing optimum driving pleasure, and environmental and safety performance.

“We are thrilled to bring SKYACTIV technology which will revolutionize the driving experience of our local Mazda customers,” said Janinna Mendoza, Mazda’s AVP for Marketing.

SKYACTIV is a blanket term for Mazda’s innovative next-generation technologies that are being developed under the company’s long-term vision for technology development—sustainable zoom-zoom. With SKYACTIV technology, three vital areas will dramatically improve in the next generation of Mazda vehicles:

Highly efficient engines

With today’s automakers working on engine refinement by making engines smaller and using various other methods, Mazda’s contribution is the recent development towards an ideal engine configuration which offers the combined advantages of both gasoline and diesel engines.

As a result, Mazda has attained the world’s highest gasoline engine compression ratio of 14:1. “Thanks to a number of technological breakthroughs, Mazda has succeeded in dramatically improving fuel efficiency, power, exhaust gas emissions and other attributes. Mazda managed to meet stringent exhaust gas emissions regulations in every country where Mazda vehicles are sold,” said Hideaki Tanaka, SKYACTIV Program Manager.

Highly efficient transmission

Given that vehicle transmissions are not only extremely important for improving fuel economy, but also exert a major influence on driving performance, the performance demands on automatic transmissions vary greatly depending on the market. And since there is not a single gearbox in existence that satisfies all these varied demands, automakers deploy a variety of systems, each matched to a particular market.

“Employing the world’s most commonly used combination—a torque converter and stepped automatic transmission as the basic structure, and by using technology that substantially reduces slip in starting devices—Mazda has brought together the benefits of each system and developed a highly efficient automatic transmission with a substantially direct drive feel that will be perfectly suited to conditions in numerous global markets,” added Tanaka.

Highly rigid body and chassis

Mazda has always placed the highest priority on offering driving pleasure, and is therefore strongly focused on weight. Reducing vehicle weight does not simply boost fuel economy, combined with the innovative engines described above, it complements the engine’s performance potential, and vastly improves the vehicle’s core performance attributes when driving, turning and stopping.

To gain maximum benefit from the complete redesign of its base technologies, Mazda also set itself the challenge of reducing the weight of its vehicles by approximately 100 kilograms through a process of “comprehensive weight reduction,” which was focused mainly on the next-generation body and chassis.

“This all-inclusive process aimed to achieve a lightweight and highly rigid body with excellent crash safety performance by pursuing an ideal body structure, adopting new production technologies and substituting new materials,” said Tanaka.

The all-new Mazda CX-5 to be launched this weekend at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global Center will be Mazda Philippines’ first vehicle to be equipped with this groundbreaking technology.