You may notice Mazda in the news today, promoting a new type of "compression-ignition" engine planned for production in 2019. This simply means the fuel is ignited spontaneously through extremely high compression in the cylinder, rather than ignited by a spark plug. Diesel engines currently ignite t
You may notice Mazda in the news today, promoting a new type of "compression-ignition" engine planned for production in 2019. This simply means the fuel is ignited spontaneously through extremely high compression in the cylinder, rather than ignited by a spark plug. Diesel engines currently ignite their fuel this way, and it's one reason they are more efficient than gasoline engines. Mazda would be the first to successfully apply this approach to gasoline engines. The results? Higher efficiency, lower emissions.
But what struck me most was Mazda's mission statement, which I would like to present here for a PuristS' consideration. It goes FAR BEYOND a fancy new type of engine, and expands upon their Zoom-Zoom slogan of a decade ago. Comments are welcome:
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1. SUSTAINABLE ZOOM-ZOOM 2030
Mazda believes its mission is to bring about a beautiful earth and to enrich people's lives as well as society. The company will continue to seek ways to inspire people through the value found in cars.
The Earth: Through conservation initiatives, create a sustainable future in which people and cars coexist with a bountiful, beautiful earth
Mazda's approach
- Expand measures for carbon dioxide reduction from a "well-to-wheel" perspective, considering emissions over the vehicle's entire life cycle
- Reduce corporate average "well-to-wheel" carbon dioxide emissions to 50% of 2010 levels by 2030, and achieve a 90% reduction by 2050
- Achieve this by prioritizing efficiency improvements and measures for cleaner emissions which apply in the real world
- Continue to perfect internal combustion engines, which will help power most cars worldwide for years to come and make the greatest contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, combined with effective electrification technologies
- From 2019, introduce electric drive technologies in areas that demand low-emission power generation or restrict certain vehicles to reduce air pollution
Our Society: Through cars and a society that provide safety and peace of mind, create a system that enriches people's lives by offering unrestricted mobility to people everywhere
Mazda's approach
- Develop more advanced safety technologies under the Mazda Proactive Safety philosophy, working toward the goal of eliminating traffic accidents
- Enhance safety fundamentals, such as correct driving position, pedal layout and good visibility, and standardize them across all models
- Promote i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features, which help drivers recognize and assess potential hazards; gradually make these technologies standard outside Japan starting in 2018
- Test autonomous driving technologies in line with Mazda's human-centered Mazda Co-Pilot Concept in 2020; make the system standard on all models by 2025
- Through connectivity, create a new business model that enables car owners to support the needs of people in depopulated areas and those who have difficulty getting around
Individual People: Enhance customers' mental well-being with the satisfaction that comes from protecting the earth and contributing to society with a car that offers true driving pleasure
Mazda's approach
- Pursue a "unity of horse and rider" driving feel that will unlock people's potential and revitalize them mentally and physically
- Based on the philosophy of "breathing life into the car" develop our KODO design, raising vehicle styling to the level of art to enrich the emotional lives of all who see it
2. SKYACTIV-X ENGINE
Technological innovations: SKYACTIV-X is the world's first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition, in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously when compressed by the piston
Our proprietary "Spark Controlled Compression Ignition" (SCCI) overcomes two issues: (1) maximizing the zone in which compression ignition is possible and (2) achieving a seamless transition between compression ignition and spark ignition.
Features
- This new proprietary combustion engine combines the advantages of gasoline and diesel engines to achieve outstanding environmental performance, power and acceleration performance
- Compression ignition and a supercharger deliver unprecedented engine response and increase torque 10-30 percent over the current SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine
- SCCI provides a super lean burn ratio that improves engine efficiency up to 20-30% over current SKYACTIV-G, and 35-45% over Mazda's 2008 gasoline engine
- SKYACTIV-X equals or exceeds the latest SKYACTIV-D diesel engine in fuel efficiency
- Efficient across a wide range of engine speed and load, this allows more freedom to chose gear ratios, providing superior fuel economy and driving performance
3. IN THE FUTURE MAZDA HOPES
- to help create a future in which people, the earth and society can coexist with cars
- to enrich people's lives through a car ownership experience that celebrates driving
- to become a brand with which customers feel a strong emotional connection
Personally, I like this statement.
Cazalea
