Mazda has just announced its new “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030” vision for long-term, environmentally conscious technology development. Consumers can thus expect to see a next-generation SKYACTIV-X engine produced by the Japanese automaker by 2019. The new engine will be the first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition in the world.
The new long-term plan is not Mazda’s first such initiative: the first Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision in 2007 outlined the company’s dual-pronged strategy for enhancing the driving experience while improving overall safety.
According to Mazda, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 reflects the company’s mission of bringing positive changes to both society and the planet that harbours it. Measures will include steps to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions, and in fact emissions produced by its vehicles over their entire lifespan, to 50% of 2010 levels by 2030, through cleaner emissions, more-efficient engines and further development of electric technologies.
Other priorities of the new initiative outlines include the development of more advanced safety technologies (part of the Mazda Proactive Safety vision), working toward creating more harmonious traffic systems that reduce and even eliminate road accidents, and continued advances in i-ACTIVSENSE safety features.
As early as 2019, the company plans on introducing the next-generation SKYACTIV-X engine as well; the new technology will feature advances that up to now have impeded the production of compression ignition, in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously when compressed by the piston. According to Mazda, the new engine will combine the advantages of gasoline and diesel engines for improved environmental performance, power and acceleration.