MAZDA IS WORKING on a range of improvements for its petrol and diesel engine line-up in a bid to improve fuel efficiency. The first engine in the improved range due to launch sometime in 2011.

Mazda is targeting a 30 percent improvement in efficiency across its entire model range by 2015 - a figure that does not include gains from start stop systems, regenerative braking or hybrid powertrains, although Mazda will continue to develop those technologies.

Greater use of direct injection and variable valve timing will be responsible for much of the fuel economy gains, and the development of a new range of automatic transmissions will also help lower fuel consumption.

Mazda will be concentrating its efforts on the company's volume-selling four-cylinder petrol engines, opting not to fiddle with the Ford-sourced V6 motors used in some of its vehicles. Diesel models will also get some attention in the form of new automatic transmissions specifically designed for use with diesel-powered engines.

A new direct-injected rotary engine is also rumoured to be in the offing, and could be fitted to the RX-8's successor. The 16x rotary reportedly boasts a greater than 30 percent improvement in fuel economy over the current 13B-MSP used by the RX-8, and also weighs less.

The new engines will be gradually introduced across Mazda's line-up, and the Japanese automaker has no intention of marketing them specifically towards eco-conscious buyers.

The first models to receive the new efficiency-optimised petrol engines will likely be the next-generation MX-5 and Mazda5 people mover. According to Mr Kanai, the entire Mazda range will feature the new engines by 2015.

Mazda currently only offers two direct-injected petrol engines: the naturally-aspirated MZR 2.0 DISI used by the Japanese-market Mazda5, and the turbocharged MZR 2.3 DISI used by the latest Mazda3 MPS.

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• reply ” like !

  

  Joe says,
  3 years ago

  Long live the Mazda Rotary!
• reply ” like !

  

  FrugalOne says,
  3 years ago

  @Joe^
  
  Yeah, long live rotary/***el donks!
  
  Lets hope [needs to be] the new 16X does NOT
  
  1/Flood when you try to start it as per current RX8
  2/Burn oil as a normal operational procedure as per RX8
  3/Guzzle fuel at a alarming rate as per RX8
  4/Have some DECENT performance, BETTER than the 370Z
  
  Other engines look interesting and good to see they will be std. production and not special expensive optional like most are now
  
  Cheers,
  
  F-0
• reply ” like !

  

  Dale says,
  3 years ago

  IMO Wankel's are only suited to the race track. All top end power and need re-builds every few thousand kms. And that is where the very low weight of the engine would really come in handy.
  
  If there is an engine that will be kept for racing purposes once electrics take over it will be the rotary.
• reply ” like !

  

  trex says,
  3 years ago

  Lets hope Mazda stop skimping on their gaskets and seals next time around with the rotary engines then...is the only reason they always need rebuilds....
  
  TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.
  Simples.
• reply ” like !

  

  Stuart says,
  3 years ago

  Even if the new motors became as efficient as electric motors ( unlikely ) I would prefer an all-electric vehicle because of escalating petrol prices and the freedom of being able to fuel my car from solar panels on my own roof.
• reply ” like !

  

  georgepitt says,
  1 year ago

  The brand new name of the game for car makers is making vehicles more efficient. Ford officials have confirmed something brand new in this pursuit. Seven- and eight-speed transmissions are the newest thing for Ford. Transmissions that use a high number of gears are already being used in many different cars. Lexus, Audi, Bavarian Motor Works, and many other highly costly automobiles are already using these transmissions. The proof is here: Quest for fuel efficiency leading to more high-gear transmissions.