At a press event for ASEAN media last week, Mazda outlined its product update strategy for 2018, which will encompass the aspects of powertrain, safety, comfort and quality. More than just a facelift, these revisions will give buyers a taste of Hiroshima’s next-generation features and technologies before the introduction of all-new models in 2019 at the earliest.
Dubbed “6.5 Generation Technology,” these updates will provide a bridge between the current lineup and upcoming models like the next Mazda 3. They will incorporate and showcase some of the concepts and technologies that will be found on new-generation Mazdas.
Some of the models that have already received these changes this year include the new Mazda 6 – which underwent a significant nip and tuck, its second since the third-generation model was unveiled back in 2012 – as well as the CX-5 and Japan-only CX-8. Next on the cards is the facelifted CX-3, set to be introduced in Japan in the coming months.
Mazda says that the updates are intended to create a feeling of effortless performance, with the ultimate goal of providing a stress-free driving environment. This is spearheaded by improvements made to the SkyActiv-G petrol and SkyActiv-D turbodiesel engines, which are torquier and more fuel efficient.
On the 2.0 and 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G mills, there’s a 15% increase in efficiency and low- to mid-range torque, the latter for a more “nimble and torquey” performance. The biggest change is the inclusion of cylinder deactivation on the 2.5 litre unit, which enables the engine to run on two cylinders and ensures that its renown combustion efficiency is maintained even at low loads.
Other tweaks include improved knock resistance and reduced mechanical resistance, as well as a coolant control valve for better thermal management. More advanced multi-hole fuel injectors have also been incorporated to allow the engine to pass the more stringent Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) adopted in Europe.
Meanwhile, the 2.2 litre SkyActiv-D oil burner now utilises rapid multistage combustion, made possible through the use of ultra-high response, multi-hole piezo fuel injectors that create a finer fuel spray – again, to make the engine WLTP-compliant.
The sequential twin-turbocharged engine also gets a new large variable geometry turbocharger for increased mid- to high-end torque output, as well as smoother performance at higher revs. There are also improvements to real-world fuel economy and engine noise reduction.
Output figures for the petrol engines are all but identical – the 2.0 litre makes 156 PS at 6,000 rpm and 199 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the 2.5 litre produces 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 252 Nm at 4,000 rpm. But it’s the 2.2 litre diesel that gets the biggest increases, with power jumping by 15 PS to 190 PS at 4,500 rpm and torque by 30 Nm to 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm.
Mazda has also paid attention to the dynamic quality of its updated models, particularly the new Mazda 6 and the upcoming facelifted CX-3. The company has incorporated a human-centric approach to this, with particular emphasis on the way they hear. In simple terms, the improvements will provide a linear improvement in comfort and noise reduction, which would not be noticed by the driver or passengers.
In terms of safety, Mazda intends to make its i-ActiveSense driver assistance systems a standard feature on all models, as it has already done in Japan. A new feature in the arsenal is Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), now with a Stop & Go function that will allow the car to come to a complete stop on its own in a traffic jam. A 360-degree View Monitor has also been introduced.
Last but not least are improvements in perceived quality, with the two models highlighted by Mazda being the CX-8 and Mazda 6. The CX-8, the company claims, features an interior of a much higher surface quality than previous models, while the new Mazda 6 incorporates a dashboard and cabin design that previews those of future Mazdas.
Mind you, Mazda is saving its big guns for next year, with its pioneering SkyActiv-X petrol engines with spark-controlled compression ignition (SPCCI) expected to finally enter production. Mild hybrid and battery electric vehicles are also set to be introduced in 2019, as are a new MZD Connect infotainment system, next-generation SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture and phase two of the Kodo design language.
GALLERY: Mazda CX-8 in Japan
GALLERY: 2018 Mazda 6
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so much hype but in the end the skyactiv engine power output is still lower than honda’s 1.5 turbo.
Honda don’t have to boast a lot, the performance tells the whole story.
power is power. But fuel efficiency is like diesel. Super economical. Japanese work hard
P1 cam profiling turbo engine, higher performance.
Pls go n read latest Chinese complains about crv 1.5 torbo…engine oil overflows and mixup with gasoline, breaking system problem unsolved…thousand of drivers asking money refund…Honda is in deep shit
NA vs Turbo. Hmmm I wonder ~~~
If u compare 1.5T Petrol with 2.2T Diesel, It makes me wonder as well ~~~
You are comparing NA with turbo lol. Different engine type.
Like: Mazda
Dislike: Honda
Meanwhile elantra sport has much higher power and torque than civic. Not to mention it’s faster and handle better too.
The fact is, Mazda as a small company can bring NA engine performance to a whole new level. Honda Vtec engine cant match skyactive anymore
Very true indeed. Toyota mazda to next frontier
That fella absolutely knows nuts abt engines… which car mgf is using cvt pair w Turbo huh? Only honda..gd luck. All conti dropped that matchup esp. Audi. 1.5 turbo will have high fc or on par w Mazzy 2.0 NA or higher
What story? Mazda3 can easily keep up with Civic turbo straight. Cornering no need to say at all. When hit 200kph say bye bye cause civic speed cut lol shit cvt.
Mazda people work hard. That is why they can better the petrol engine and invent skyactive.
Now even better. They gonna improve the Skyactive even further. 15% efficiency now.
Our Campro….still drink petrol like 6.3 AMG engine.
Okaylar at least have comparable performance. Mivi engine drink petrol like 10L engine but perform like asthmatic lembu.
Campro is more than 13 years old (debuted in the 2004 Gen2) . If you compare Skyactiv with Mazda own engines from 13 years ago, of course the old engines would always lose. I am not defending Proton, but you should compare Skyactiv to its contemporaries such as Honda’s Earth Dream, Toyota’s Dynamic Force and Nissan’s Variable Compression engines.
Mazda tieup with Toyota led to the world’s most thermally efficient engine. 40% efficiency Wow!
WOW. Just when I tot diesel is dead. Mazda comes out with the 2.2 litre SkyActiv-D oil burner utilises multi-hole piezo fuel injectors can pass the more stringent Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) adopted in Europe. Bravo Mazda.
Talk about comfort and engineering, amazingly the subtle and most basic thing has skipped their minds, i am talking about the dreaded non-adjustable armrest and if you are an Asian that sits closer to the steering wheel, you will not have an arm rest (elbow rest perhaps!)…
What about mazda 2? no news at all?
Currently, most JDM use CVT gearbox pair NA or turbo matchup. Only honda n sabaru match cvt w turbo. Honda uses 1.5 honda turbocharger roars like an elephant n less efficient FC. Additionally, cvt lifespan is shorter vs. Convenentional GB. Performance cars never use CVT GB.
Where is cx 8?
aiyo…need to wait 2019 for new mazda3….so by time reach malaysia it be close to 2020? (4Q of 2019) :(
Mazda 2 the most underrated car in msia (DOHC, FUN, EFFICIENT)
Honda City, Jazz, BRV, HRV the most expensive in price range 70k – 99k (SOHC, EFFICIENT, LEMBAB) ONLY HYBRID MODEL ARE GOOD but less honda boi buy.. pity
Bermaz, oh Bermaz! Oversea already got the 2.2D with twin-turbo (450Nm of torque) but we still got the old one (420Nm). Oversea got the MRCC but we are not. Debating with Mazda salesperson in Penang, he said oversea give MRCC as an option unfortunately we don’t. He said because of shitty Malaysian drivers. I countered, then how come Honda, Volvo or even Proton can give ACC? He couldn’t answer. He then said that introducing MRCC could cost more and I said I don’t mind to pay more. Silence. Finally, he told me that there are a lot of incidents in Europe and US about the failure of their MRCC. Their Lane Keeping Assist does not center the car in the middle of lane (unlike Honda). I love the effectiveness of Honda Sensing AND OpenPilot but I hate CVTs. I’m in the middle of selecting CR-V 1.5 TCP or CX-5 2.2D T (only the old one, single turbo with 420 Nm of torque).