Just over half a year after the debut of the Madza3, customers can order the Japanese compact model with the unique Skyactiv X engine. The four-cylinder, a mixture of diesel and gasoline, should get by with significantly less fuel.
Among the Japanese automakers Mazda takes a special position for years. And in a positive way. The design is consistent across all models, it looks clear, reduced and elegant. The quality is above that of the Asian competitors and in terms of drive technology you do not follow the usual mainstream. The diesel engines are much lower compressed than those of the competition and can do without expensive AdBlue aftertreatment, but still meet the latest Euro emissions standard. The petrol engines run with the highest compression, are efficient and do not need a turbo.
However, Mazda shoots the bird off extravaganza with the so-called Skyactiv X engine. The unique four-cylinder makes its debut in the compact model Mazda3 and will be available in a few weeks in the new crossover CX-30. What is so special about this engine? The engineers succeeded in developing a combustion process that was ready for series production, bringing together the advantages of diesel and petrol. It's called "Spark Controlled Compression Ignition" (SPCCI), in German about: a running over the spark plug controlled compression ignition.
Mazda's engine always runs with high excess air, so extremely lean. Although the thin mixture would just ignite over the spark plug, the flame front would not spread. Mazda now injected in the compression stroke a microdose of gasoline directly to the surroundings of the candle. This small mixture cloud is ignited just before the maximum compression (16,3: 1) is reached and the rest of the mixture before the auto-ignition anyway. The result: Both provide for an enormous increase in pressure. The homogeneous mixture in the entire combustion chamber ignites abruptly and burns completely.
As a result, the Skyaktiv-X engine in real driving around 20 percent less consume, compared with the also used in the Mazda3 Skyactiv-G engine, a 122 PS strong mild hybrid four-cylinder. The X engine makes 180 PS. On a first test drive, although the unit was smooth and revving, but could not convey that portion of agility that one would expect from 180 PS. When accelerating, one or the other time must be downshifted to keep the Mazda3 in a good mood. This is also due to the not very lush torque of 224 Newton meters, which are not present until 3.000 revolutions. The normal everyday life is usually below.
However, it is highly creditable to the developers that they can keep the said SPCCI mode up to almost 4.500 rpm, covering practically the entire bandwidth. Only then, so when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, the engine changes to the conventional combustion mode. This is extremely rare.
The on-board computer showed after the test drive a consumption of 5,9 l / 100 km. Not bad considering performance and vehicle weight. Although the thirst is about 1,5 liters higher than Mazda promises after the new WLTP cycle, but we have the car quite sporty abused, especially since the Mazda3 is a well-tuned car overall, which is great driving and on winding country roads a lot of fun power.
Other manufacturers, such as Mercedes and Volkswagen, also tried the hermaphrodite combustion process, but have not gone beyond an experimental stage. Mazda should therefore keep this unique selling point for a few more years. It is hoped that 30 to 40 percent of Mazda3 customers will opt for the Skyactiv-X engine. With 26.790 euros, you have to pay exactly 3.500 euros more than for the almost 60 hp weaker G-motor. If you add another 500 euros, you will also get the economical Mix engine in the notchback version "Fastback".
Mazda3 Skyactiv-X - Specifications:
Five-door, five-seat compact model with hatchback; Length: 4,46 meters, Width: 1,80 meters (with outside mirrors 2,03 meters), Height: 1,44 meters, Wheelbase: 2,73 meters, Boot volume: 351 - 1.026 liters
Engine: 2,0-liter four-cylinder; 132 kW / 180 PS at 6.000 rpm, maximum torque: 224 Nm at 3.000 rpm, front-wheel drive, 6 gearbox, 0-100 km / h: 8,2 s, Vmax: 216 km / h, standard consumption: 4,4 - 4,5 Liters / 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 100 - 103 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A +. Price: from 26.790 Euro