SkyActiv


Skyactiv is a brand name for a series of technologies developed by Mazda that increase fuel efficiency and engine output. The initial announcement of the Skyactiv technologies included new engines, transmissions, body, and chassis, which appeared in Mazda products from 2011.

The Mazda Sky concept

The precursor of Skyactiv, which featured a Mazda Sky-G 2.3-litre direct injection petrol engine, a Mazda Sky-D 2.2-litre diesel engine, a Sky-Drive automatic transmission, a Mazda Kiyora with Sky-G 1.3 engine and Sky-Drive automatic transmission, was unveiled at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2008. The Skyactiv concept features a revised suspension geometry, improved automatic and manual transmission, and various improvements to Mazda's L- engine such as direct injection, upgraded exhaust manifold, increased compression ratio for cleaner burn and higher thermal efficiency, etc. Mazda's previous chassis for the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 were carried over to the new vehicles.

Skyactiv-G

The Skyactiv-G or formerly Sky-G is a family of direct injection petrol engines. The engine compression ratio is increased to 14.0:1 To reduce the risk of engine knock at high compression, residual gas is reduced by using 4-2-1 engine exhaust systems, implementing a piston cavity, and optimizing fuel injection. In addition, combustion duration is shortened by intensifying air flow, increasing injection pressure, and using multi-hole injectors.
It features an all-aluminum construction with chain-driven dual overhead camshafts with VVT and gasoline direct injection; with direct ignition, it meets ULEV emission standards. Skyactiv-G engines for the U.S. market have a lower compression ratio of 13:1 allowing them to operate on standard instead of premium fuel with an approximate 3-5 percent reduction in torque and fuel economy.

Generation 1

1.3 L

The Skyactiv-G 1.3 is a variant with engine displacement and features a bore and an stroke. The engine was unveiled at the 2011 Automotive Engineering Exposition.
Five Mazda engineers were awarded the 2011 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal on April 20, 2012 specifically for the "development of a petrol engine with a super-high compression ratio and achieving fuel efficiency of 30 km per litre ". The engine was first used in the Mazda2 13-Skyactiv.
It is rated at 62 kW and 113 N·m.
Applications:
The Skyactiv-G 1.5, or ' for RWD applications and ' for FWD applications, is a engine with a bore and an stroke.
This 4 cylinder engine was introduced in the 14MY Mazda3 for the Asian and European markets, it develops at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. This new petrol engine added to the Skyactiv line-up achieves a high compression ratio of 13.0:1. It greatly improves dynamic performance and fuel economy over the MZR 1.5 engine of the previous model. The Mazda MX-5 version of the engine in the Australian market with the same 13:1 compression ratio requires 95 RON fuel, has a higher redline and is rated at at 7,000 rpm and at 4,800 rpm. It also produces slightly more emissions and has slightly less fuel economy as a result.
Applications:
The Skyactiv-G 2.0 or was the first engine in the Skyactiv-G family to be produced.
This engine features an engine displacement of, with a bore X stroke of. The U.S. version has a compression ratio of 13.0:1 producing at 6000 rpm and of torque at 4600 rpm. In some markets, the and of torque with Flexifuel E85 is available.
According to Mazda, it is more fuel efficient than the engine it replaces. Versus the engine in the 2011 Mazda3, they improved fuel economy from to in town, and from to on the highway compared to the 2011 model.
The MX-5 ND2 2019 facelift received an updated engine producing with maximum RPM raised from 6800 to 7500 rpm and includes a larger intake manifold, increased injection pressure and a new exhaust system that scavenges the cylinders quicker.
Applications:
The Skyactiv-G 2.5 or ' is a engine first used in the 2013 Mazda 6 and features an bore and a stroke.
The U.S. version with a 13.0:1 compression ratio produces at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The turbocharged version or ' produces and.
Applications:
Mazda's next-generation Skyactiv-X engine will use HCCI to reach a compression ratio of 16:1 instead of 14.0:1 of previous generation and is planned to be available before 2020.

Skyactiv-D

Skyactiv-D is a family of turbocharged diesel engines, designed to comply with global emissions regulations.
To eliminate the need of NOx and particulate treatment in contemporary diesel engines, the cylinder compression ratio is reduced to 14.0:1. Cold engine start is achieved via multi-hole piezo injectors with 3 programmable injection patterns, and adoption of ceramic glow plugs. Engine misfiring is prevented via variable valve lift at exhaust, which opens exhaust valves during the intake stroke, which increases engine air temperature. The Skyactiv-D also uses a two-stage turbocharger, in which one small and one large turbo are selectively operated, according to driving conditions.

S5-DPTS/S5-DPTR

Also known for Skyactiv-D 1.5 engine was first introduced in the fourth generation Mazda Demio/Mazda2. It features a compression ratio of 14:1.
Applications:
Also known for Skyactiv-D 1.8 was introduced in the 2018 facelifted Mazda CX-3.
Applications:
Also known for Skyactiv-D 2.2 engine is the first Skyactiv-D engine used in production vehicles. It was first used in the Mazda CX-5. In the Mazda6, it produces and. An upgraded version of the Skyactiv-D was run in the 2013 Rolex Sports Car Series season and helped Mazda win the GX manufacturer's championship. The engine is slated to be used again in two Lola LMP2s in the United SportsCar Series.

Unique Technology

The Skyactiv-D is the first low compression diesel in a production car, having a significantly lower compression in the first generation of 14:1 rather than higher compression ratios of 16:1 and higher. Numerous university studies have investigated the benefits of low compression diesel for decades, with the major benefit noted in single cylinder university tests of being a drastic reduction in NOx emissions, while also reducing particulate matter and combustion noise. These studies all concluded that while there were noticeable reductions in emissions, this came at the expense of difficult cold starts. Mazda resolved this in the Skyactitv-D by using piezoelectric fuel injectors with multiple nozzles that changes the pattern depending on operating conditions. Furthermore, exhaust valves are left slightly open as the engine starts causing exhaust gases to be sucked into the cylinders helping the engine to warm up quickly.

Early Issues

The CX-5 with Skyactiv-D engines were reported to have oil levels rising earlier than expected upon release, which required owners to check the vehicle's engine oil every 1000 kilometres or every month and return to the dealer if the oil appeared over the level of the dipstick. This procedure was initiated by Mazda worldwide as a precaution. Mazda did however resolve the issue in the first few months of the engine being available, with the resolution being a software change and a change of dipsticks with a corrected level.

Emission Standards

At launch in 2012, Mazda claimed the Skyactiv-D engine would only comply with Euro 5 emission standards, and further work was required to achieve stricter emission standards. As a result, Mazda did not export the vehicle to the US.

Emissions Tested

In the aftermath of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the Japanese government performed testing of all diesel engines produced in Japan to ensure Japanese manufacturers were not falsifying emissions as had been done by Volkswagen. It was determined that the Skyactiv-D engine was the only engine which tested at or near the standard.

Achieving US EPA emission standards

At the 2019 New York Motor show, Mazda announced that it would commence pre-sales of the 2019 CX-5 with the Skyactiv-D 2.2L engine. To achieve the US EPA emissions standards though has resulted is significant performance and economy penalties in comparison with the Euro 5 compliant engine. The Australian version of the engine is a good comparison with that in the US, with both countries requiring identical diesel quality and using the higher specification of the engine.
The Euro stage V compliant Australian Skyactiv-D 2.2L has the following specifications:
The US EPA compliant US Skyactiv-D 2.2L has the following specifications:
In September 2016, Mazda recalled 130,000 vehicles in Japan over a defect that could lead to diesel engine failure.
Although most problems were fixed later on the 2.2 suffered from bad carbon build up that would block the intake manifold. Other faults include the turbo diversion valve failure that required replacement of the complete twin turbo unit.
Mazda recalled 2012 to 2018 diesel Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and CX-5 because of carbon deposits build-up.

Skyactiv-Drive

The Skyactiv-Drive is a family of automatic transmissions, named SKY-Drive.
Mazda rejected dual-clutch technology in automatic transmissions, because the dual-clutch behavior in certain situations was sub-optimal. Instead, Mazda chose to re-design the conventional automatic transmission, making the torque converter take less duty while a multi-plate clutch disengages the torque converter most of the time. The new Skyactiv automatic transmission was designed to have six gears forward, one reverse gear, a short torque converter and a clutch integrated with the torque converter.

Skyactiv-MT

The Skyactiv-MT is a family of manual transmissions.
To achieve lighter shift effort with a short shift lever stroke, the lever ratio is increased. However, to overcome the shorter internal stroke, a small module spline is used. Shift throws are reduced by 15 percent, making it the shortest shifting of any passenger car.
To allow weight reduction, the triple-shafted gear train is made with reverse and first gears on the same shaft, and the use of a shorter secondary shaft.

Skyactiv-Body

The Skyactiv-Body is a next-generation, lightweight, highly-rigid car body, with improved crash safety performance. The Skyactiv-Body is 8% lighter and 30% more rigid than previous generations.

Skyactiv-Hybrid

The Skyactiv-Hybrid technology is an electric hybrid engine technology using Skyactiv-G engine with technology from Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, originally licensed for use with Sky engine for vehicles sold in 2013.
The first retail Mazda Skyactiv-Hybrid vehicle, a Mazda3 Skyactiv-Hybrid with Skyactiv-G 2.0 engine with 14:1 compression, was unveiled in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

Skyactiv-CNG

The Skyactiv-CNG engine is powered by compressed natural gas.
The first retail Mazda Skyactiv-CNG prototype vehicle, a Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG Concept, was unveiled in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

Skyactiv-R

The Skyactiv-R engine is Mazda's new generation rotary engine. However, the engine has never been shown to the public to prove its existence.
The Mazda RX-Vision Concept, powered by a Skyactiv-R rotary engine, was unveiled in 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.

Skyactiv-X

Skyactiv-X is the first commercial petrol engine to use compression ignition, in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously when compressed by the piston. This allows it to operate much leaner than a spark ignition engine, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
This engine targets 20-30% greater fuel efficiency by utilising homogeneous charge compression ignition technology. In order to handle ignition problems caused by compression ignition, each cylinder also incorporates a spark plug featuring Spark Controlled Compression Ignition technology.
SPCCI works by drawing in a lean, homogenous air-fuel mixture, it then compresses the mixture until it approaches the point at which it would spontaneously detonate. A second injector then adds a secondary charge of fuel directly on the spark plug. This secondary charge is ignited by the spark plug, causing the cylinder pressure to very quickly rise to a point where the rest of the fuel undergoes compression ignition. The presence of the spark plug allows the engine to also operate as a spark-ignition engine under some operating conditions, such as high-speed high-load situations. Revealed June 5, 2019, the output is and.
Initial reception of Skyactiv-X is above the 25-30% level Mazda originally forecasted, it was reported in November 2019, 60% Mazda3 and 40% of CX-30 are installed with Skyactiv-X engine.

e-SKYACTIV

e-SKYACTIV is the battery electric powertrain.