Mazda Selects SkyActiv-G 1.3 DI engine as first one to arrive

20 May 2011 - Mazda has selected its direct-injected, 1.3-liter gasoline powerplant to head the launch of the automaker's SkyActiv engines. On May 18th, Mazda officially unveiled the 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine at the Automotive Engineering Exposition at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center near Tokyo, Japan.

The company plans to introduce the SkyActiv-G 1.3 domestically in the facelifted Demio (Mazda2) soon, making it the first ever 1.3 litre direct-injection gasoline engine to be equipped in a compact car built in Japan. It will offer 84 PS at 5,400 rpm and 112 Nm at 4,000 rpm for output.

The breakthrough block features 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 unit 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.

Other features include a cooled EGR system and Mazda’s first dual sequential valve timing system (dual S-VT with electronically-operated intake) – in combination with the high compression ratio, this achieves an unconventional Miller cycle (extremely delayed closure of intake valves) that improves efficiency. It also has 30% less mechanical friction, due to a narrower crankshaft, new roller followers and low-tension piston rings that also reduce oil consumption.

Partnered with i-stop, Mazda’s unique idling stop system, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the lump – with more than 130 patents applied for it – promises a fuel economy of 30 km per litre (under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle).

Mazda will launch the SkyActiv-G 1.3 in the facelifted Demio (Mazda2) in Japan. Combined with an updated version of automaker's idle-stop system and a continuously variable transmission, the Demio's fuel efficiency comes in at 30 kilometers per liter (70.56 miles per gallon U.S.) under Japan's 10-15 mode test cycle.