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Mazda to Cut Vehicle Fuel Consumption 30 Percent by 2015

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that its sights are set on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average of 30 percent by 2015. Mazda intend to achieve this goal through the renewal of (almost) its entire powertrain li


Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that its sights are set on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average of 30 percent by 2015. Mazda intend to achieve this goal through the renewal of (almost) its entire powertrain lineup by 2015 and via the upgrading of its platforms from 2011 - both safety and weight saving being high on the agenda. Mazda plan to reduce the weight of their new vehicles by at least 100 kilograms each.

New powertrain additions will include the addition of Smart Idle Stop System to its engine lineup, a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide.

Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom philosophy is not being lost with the manufacturer confirming that their cars will remain fun to drive, while providing the peace of mind that comes with being environmentally-friendly and safe.

This focus on the environment is not a new concept for Mazda. In the seven years from 2001 to 2008, the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold in the Japanese market improved by approximately 30 percent. In 1991, the company embarked on a long-term project to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen technology, thereby participating in the search for sustainable transportation solutions, which still continues today.

Mazda saw its hydrogen powertrain efforts progress positively forward in June 2008 when the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid received the green light from the Japanese government to begin testing on public roads.

The Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid (known as the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in Japan) offers 40 percent more power and an extended hydrogen driving range of 200 kilometres. It will be available for commercial lease in Japan during the 2008 fiscal year. And, Mazda is already progressing well with the development of an all-new Hydrogen RE vehicle with dynamic performance equivalent to a 3.0-liter gasoline engine and a hydrogen range of 400 kilometres.

The next technological milestone for Mazda will be the introduction of the mass production version of its proprietary Smart Idle Stop System into one of its cars in 2009.

Mazda’s is the only idle stop system in the world that restarts the engine from idle by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to force the piston down, enabling a fast and quiet restart as well as an improvement in fuel economy by up to eight percent. The system will initially appear in Japan and Europe.

In 2009, an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine will be introduced into the Northern European and North American markets. From 2011 onwards, new petrol engines will incorporate next generation Direct Injection Spark Ignition and other systems to boost power by 15 to 20 percent and improve fuel economy by approximately 20 percent.

Beginning in 2011, Mazda plans to introduce new diesel engines worldwide that meet the strictest future exhaust gas regulations in each market. These engines will feature next generation direct injection technology, turbocharging systems and NOx reduction technology, which will enhance fuel economy by 20 percent and produce cleaner exhaust gases.

Direct Injection Spark Ignition and high-speed combustion technology will be introduced to Mazda’s rotary engine with substantially improved performance and economy expected to be the result.

Bioplastics will also be feature in Mazda’s future. Developed from what Mazda call “non-food-based cellulosic biomass” or plants for us laymen, the plastics have been developed via collaboration with government, industry and academia.

Mazda is aiming to have plant based bioplastic ready for use in vehicles by 2013.

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