What is Mazda SKYACTIV?

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Mazda's SKYACTIV encompasses the whole car through the use of an advanced engine, transmission, body and chassis technology and lightweight engineering. SKYACTIV will provide class leading environmental and safety performance combined with driving enjoyment and will feature in every new Mazda model from 2012.

There are three key focuses areas for SKYACTIV:

1) Advanced engines with world-beating compression ratios -----Because up to 80% of energy contained in fuel can be lost within the powertrain, Mazda engineers used a back-to-basics approach to improve efficiency. The new petrol powered SKYACTIV-G engine's compression ratio of 14:1 - higher than a Formula 1 engine - provided a 15% increase in fuel efficiency and 15% drop in CO2, resulting in lower road fund licence and benefit in kind kills. Torque is also increased 15% across the rev range. The diesel SKYACTIV-D engine also boasts a 14:1 compression ratio and utilises two turbo chargers resulting in 20% more fuel efficient than the model it replaces and therefore reduced fuel costs and lower road fund licence and benefit in kind costs.

2) Highly efficient transmissions ----- The SKYACTIV-Drive six speed lock-up automatic transmission combines the advantages of conventional step automatic transmissions, variable transmissions and dual clutch transmissions. The result of which is a smooth and efficient gearbox wit up to 7% improved fuel consumption with a quick shift pattern. The second transmission is the SKYACTIV-MT, a lightweight six speed manual transmissions designed to provide quick and short gear changes. The system uses a common second and third input gear and has the reverse idle shaft removed, which reduces the number of moving parts, resulting in 3kgs lighter overall weight.

3) Sophisticated lightweight chassis technology for high levels of crash safety performance and driving pleasure.----- Mazda SKYACTIV engineers wished to create a stiffer and stronger body to present improved dynamic performance and enhanced impact protection. Basic chassis principles were revisited, and the SKYACTIV-Body results in a straight and continuous basic framework, with each chassis section functioning in co-ordination with other sections which results in a structure capable of dispersing impact forces throughout the entire framework. Combine the chassis design with a 20% per cent increase in the amount of high tensile steel, a high proportion of weld-bonded sections and a higher number of spot weld points results in a 30% stiffer body compared to the current models in Mazda's range, allowing for improved precision for steering and suspension and meeting the top tier criteria for crash safety assessments. The SKYACTIV-Chassis is 14 per cent lighter than before, with suspension and steering systems which have been redeveloped from a blank page. The strut front and multi-link rear layout features a lightweight construction with optimised linkages and bushes providing enhanced agility and improved ride comfort. A high steering ratio features in the new electric power steering set up and a new lightweight, rigid cross member provides high levels of steering precision and feedback.

Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright ©2011 AOL