VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Mazda introduced us to its new SKYACTIV technology, which is best described as a major rethink & redesign of what most of us are currently driving, a vehicle powered by some form of internal combustion engine. It also involves a fair amount of weight-saving innovations that could be readily adapted for use on almost any mode of transportation, including some of the so-called Eco-friendly vehicles.
I say that tongue-in-cheek because what is an Eco-friendly mode of transportation? After all, I have two Eco-friendly horses living in my back yard, yet if I were to ride one downtown each morning, I think I’d upset more than one or two Toyota Prius owners!
Then of course, we have those who claim the environmental impact involved in the production of battery-powered vehicles turns these into planet-killing monsters.
It’s all rather confusing, and the more you listen to one viewpoint or another, the more confusing the subject gets. At the end of the day, we’re probably best to play the old wait and see game, because consumer demand will finally determine the outcome for us. Until then, most of us will have to soldier on with the tried & trusted internal combustion engine. So, why not try to get every ounce of energy out of these gasoline/diesel powerplants?
Well, that’s precisely what Mazda plans to do, and to showcase what they have already achieved, the company allowed us to compare its current line-up vehicle-to-vehicle with their new SKYACTIV models.
As you will see from the photographs, these vehicles were what are known in the industry as “mules”, which are simply older models fitted with new technology strictly for testing purposes. So don’t worry, your new Mazda6 will not be delivered covered in ugly pop rivets, nor will it be available only in right-hand drive (these units came directly from Japan).
SKYACTIV-G (Gasoline)
Now, we’ll start off by comparing the current Canadian Mazda6 with a version equipped with the new SKYACTIV-G powertrain.
Together with an almost unheard-of 13:1 compression ratio, this new motor boasts a totally redesigned 4-2-1 exhaust, piston cavity, multi-port fuel injection and continuously variable sequential valve timing (dual S-VT).
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| Photo: Kevin ''Crash'' Corrigan/Auto123.com |
I say that tongue-in-cheek because what is an Eco-friendly mode of transportation? After all, I have two Eco-friendly horses living in my back yard, yet if I were to ride one downtown each morning, I think I’d upset more than one or two Toyota Prius owners!
Then of course, we have those who claim the environmental impact involved in the production of battery-powered vehicles turns these into planet-killing monsters.
It’s all rather confusing, and the more you listen to one viewpoint or another, the more confusing the subject gets. At the end of the day, we’re probably best to play the old wait and see game, because consumer demand will finally determine the outcome for us. Until then, most of us will have to soldier on with the tried & trusted internal combustion engine. So, why not try to get every ounce of energy out of these gasoline/diesel powerplants?
Well, that’s precisely what Mazda plans to do, and to showcase what they have already achieved, the company allowed us to compare its current line-up vehicle-to-vehicle with their new SKYACTIV models.
As you will see from the photographs, these vehicles were what are known in the industry as “mules”, which are simply older models fitted with new technology strictly for testing purposes. So don’t worry, your new Mazda6 will not be delivered covered in ugly pop rivets, nor will it be available only in right-hand drive (these units came directly from Japan).
SKYACTIV-G (Gasoline)
Now, we’ll start off by comparing the current Canadian Mazda6 with a version equipped with the new SKYACTIV-G powertrain.
Together with an almost unheard-of 13:1 compression ratio, this new motor boasts a totally redesigned 4-2-1 exhaust, piston cavity, multi-port fuel injection and continuously variable sequential valve timing (dual S-VT).
 |
| Photo: Kevin ''Crash'' Corrigan/Auto123.com |