Mazda Introduces the SKYACTIV-X Engine. Does It Will Beat the Diesel Engine?!
Mazda disclosed plans to introduce a next-generation engine called SKYACTIV-X in 2019. The SKYACTIV-X engine will be the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition.
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| Mazda SKYACTIV Technology |
The compression ignition is character part of the diesel engine which doesn’t have ignition sparks. The air is compressed in the chamber and an injection nozzle plumbed into the combustion chamber sprays a mist of fuel. The compressed air has latent heat and with the sprayed fuel there is a process of burning which runs the engine.
However, Mazda is going to use this diesel engine technology for the very first time in its gasoline engines. The SKYACTIV-X is the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition, in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously compressed by the piston.
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| Mazda CX-9 SKYACTIV engine |
However, Mazda is going to use this diesel engine technology for the very first time in its gasoline engines. The SKYACTIV-X is the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition, in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously compressed by the piston.
It’s Mazda proprietary combustion method called Spark Controlled Compression Ignition overcomes two issues that had impeded commercialization of compression ignition gasoline engines: maximizing the zone in which compression ignition is possible and achieving a seamless transition between compression ignition and spark ignition.
The SKYACTIV-X combustion engine combines the advantages of gasoline and diesel engines. It has to achieve outstanding power, acceleration and environmental performances.
Comparing the current SKYACTIV-G and the new SKYACTIV-X engine, the new one has to increase the torque with 10-30% and to improve fuel economy with both compression ignition and a fitted supercharger. Mazda says that the SKYACTIV-X engine will deliver unprecedented engine response.
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| 2014 Mazda 6 Sport SKYACTIV engine |
The SKYACTIV-X compression ignition makes possible a super lean burn. It’s a condition in which the ratio of gasoline to air is reduced to a level that wouldn’t ignite in a spark-ignition-engine. Thus the engine efficiency is increased up to 20-30% over the current SKYACTIV-G engine and from 35-45% over Mazda’s 2008 gasoline engine of the same displacement. Probably the SKYACTIV-X engine will equals or exceeds the latest SKYACTIV-D diesel engine in fuel efficiency.
The SKYACTIV-X engine is going to be highly efficient across a wide range of rpms and engine loads. It’s going to allow much more choose in the selection of gear ratios, providing both superior fuel economy and driving performance.
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| 2017 Mazda 6 SKYACTIV engine |
I wish I had such a technology in my 21-year-old car which has 1.8 L gasoline engine. Its average fuel consumption is about 12 l/100km in city driving and about 8 L/100km extra-urban driving. Using this SKYACTIV-X technology the fuel consumption has to be reduced to about 10.8-8.4 l/100km city and at least 7.2 l up to 5.6 l/100km extra-urban driving. It’s not about the fuel consumption it’s all about a technology which could beat the low consumption of diesel engine.
