Mazda has revealed the SKYACTIVE-G 1.3 engine destined for use in the Mazda2.

This engine is quite simply phenomenal. At first glance, what we have here is an inline-four developing 84 horsepower and around 85 pound-feet of torque. Not an awful lot of power, I will admit. But let’s look at it another way: this is a gasoline engine, without any electric motors to assist, which will be able to achieve 70 mpg when it’s put to use in the Mazda2 later this year. You heard that correctly, 70 miles per gallon, a figure capable of rivaling diesels and hybrids alike. The Mazda2 is a fun little car too, even if this engine is a bit down on power.

There’s no word on how its lack of power will affect performance, but if you’re looking for a fun and fuel-efficient vehicle, this is certainly an option you should consider. However, it is still unknown whether or not Mazda will fit the SKYACTIVE-G 1.3 to Mazda2s outside of Japan. We certainly hope they do.

But we do have one tip for Mazda: turbocharge it. More power with a minimal effect on fuel economy will work wonders for an engine like this.

Press Release

Mazda Develops Highly Efficient “SKYACTIV-G 1.3” Direct-Injection Gasoline Engine

– Mazda’s innovative combustion technology significantly improves fuel economy –

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the “SKYACTIV-G 1.3” direct-injection 1.3-liter gasoline engine will be the first of its next-generation SKYACTIV technologies to be introduced to the market. Mazda will unveil the engine at the Automotive Engineering Exposition that will be held from May 18 through 20, 2011, at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center near Tokyo, Japan.

The breakthrough SKYACTIV-G 1.3 achieves a record high compression ratio (for a regular gasoline mass production automobile engine) of 14.0:1 and exhibits high efficiency, especially under high load at low rpm. In order to avoid knocking – an unavoidable issue with conventional high-compression engines – the SKYACTIV-G 1.3 features a number of new technologies, such as piston cavities that are specially designed to support ideal combustion, and multi-hole injectors that enable precise fuel injection control.

Mazda plans to introduce the SKYACTIV-G 1.3 to the Japanese market in the facelifted Mazda Demio (known overseas as the Mazda2) during the first half of 2011. It will be the first ever 1.3-liter direct-injection gasoline engine to be equipped in a compact car manufactured in Japan. Combined with Mazda’s unique idling stop system, i-stop, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), SKYACTIV-G 1.3 will achieve fuel economy of 30km/L under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle.

 

Mazda has applied for over 130 patents in relation to the engine (as of the end of February, 2011).

SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is the umbrella term for Mazda’s range of next-generation technologies – including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, and a new body and chassis – that significantly improve vehicle driving dynamics as well as environmental and safety performance. The SKYACTIV-G 1.3 that is equipped in the facelifted Mazda Demio adopts all of Mazda’s SKYACTIV engine technologies except for the exhaust manifold. It also features other new components that are exclusive to the Demio, such as a cooled EGR^* system.

Under its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision, Mazda aims to deliver outstanding driving pleasure as well as environmental and safety performance, and is committed to increasing its global fleet fuel economy by 30 percent by 2015, compared with the 2008 level.

* EGR: Exhaust Gas Recirculation

Main features of the SKYACTIV-G 1.3 engine

• Highly efficient automobile gasoline engine and the world’s first to achieve a compression ratio of 14.0:1
• Multi-hole injectors enable precise fuel injection control for ideal combustion
• Mazda’s first dual sequential valve timing system (dual S-VT with electronically-operated intake) in combination with the high compression ratio achieves an unconventional Miller cycle (extremely delayed closure of intake valves) that improves efficiency
• Compact combustion chambers have a longer stroke for better efficiency
• Piston cavities are specially designed to support ideal combustion
• 30 percent less mechanical friction, due to a narrower crankshaft, new roller followers and low-tension piston rings that also reduce oil consumption
• Various countermeasures to prevent knocking, including a cooled EGR system
• An updated version of Mazda’s innovative idling stop system, i-stop, improves fuel economy by eight percent. It operates with a higher frequency, requires less fuel to restart, and achieves a smoother restart
• A lightweight and highly rigid aluminum alloy engine block

 

Major specifications of the SKYACTIV-G 1.3

Inline four-cylinder 1.3-liter direct-injection engine (with i-stop)

Engine displacement:	1.298Ｌ
Bore and stroke:	71.0mm x 82.0mm
Compression ratio:	14.0:1
Maximum output (net):	62kＷ@5,400rpm (84ps@5,400rpm)
Maximum torque (net):	112Nm@4,000rpm

Source: Mazda