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Mazda aims for the Sky

Getting a jump on the competition, Mazda has announced its line-up for next month's Tokyo Motor Show, which includes the Kiyora concept car, two new engines and a new transmission.

Sky-G will put less nasty stuff in the sky proper.
(Credit: Mazda)

Usually concept cars are the show highlight, but in this case it isn't, because the Kiyora (pictured below) was already shown at last year's Paris Motor Show. The real news will be the more efficient powertrains that Mazda's developed, although these lack the glamour of an all-new, out-there concept car.

The company's powertrain tech, however, will have a more realisable effect on its vehicles and how we drive them. This line of powertrain tech goes by Mazda's new eco sub-brand, Sky. The Sky-G is a direct injection engine with a newly designed block. The design reduces friction and delivers a more efficient fuel burn. Mazda claims that the 2-litre version will produce 15 per cent more torque, with a similar improvement in fuel economy, compared with the current 2-litre petrol engine.

Mazda will also unveil the Sky-D, which is a turbo-charged diesel engine with efficiency improvements of 20 per cent over Mazda's current 2.2-litre diesel engine, with a commensurate reduction in exhaust emissions.

Also on display at the Mazda stand will be Sky-Drive, a new automatic transmission featuring a torque converter. This has been refined by Mazda to reduce friction and slip, delivering a feel comparable to a dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Mercedes-Benz has already done an impressive job refining its automatic transmissions for more direct gear engagement, and we anticipate that Mazda's Sky-Drive should deliver a similar experience. Mazda says its new auto gearbox delivers a 5 per cent increase in fuel efficiency.

The Kiyora concept debuted way back in 2008 at the Paris Motor Show.
(Credit: Mazda)

Mazda's theme for this line of Sky powertrain technology at the Tokyo show will be "The Mazda Sky concept: providing driving pleasure and environmental and safety features for all customers!" The grammar may be amusing, but the overall import is that Mazda intends to increase its fuel efficiency by 30 per cent by 2015 from its 2008 figures.

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