As Mazda continues the current rollout of its still-new Skyactiv technology, this 5th largest Japanese car brand by volume is already looking at improving its family of engines for even better fuel economy and emissions reductions. With stricter global (especially Europe) fuel economy and emissions regulations planned for 2020 and 2025, Mazda will likely release engines with next-generation Skyactiv 2 technology by the end of this decade, and Skyactiv 3 engines just five years later.
The latest Skyactiv engines will focus on improved engine cooling and lessening energy losses and the next-gen Skyactiv 2 engines will use Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition or HCCI. This type of ignition is very similar to how a diesel engine operates (with high compression and using the compression stroke for fuel combustion rather than spark plugs), a method said to provide a cleaner and more efficient fuel burn with results of up to 30% improvement in fuel economy compared to current Skyactiv engines.
Equipped with HCCI technology, Mazda figures to be able to compete with larger automakers in terms of fuel economy and emissions without resorting to hybrid powertrains, continuously variable transmissions or automatics relying on more forward gears (eight or more) for optimal efficiency. Some of the challenges of HCCI will include the need for better engine cooling, risk of misfire at high and low rpm and uneven engine performance based on fuel properties.
