In a world of plug in hybrids and electric powered cars, the humble petrol engine really looks long in the tooth by comparison. Mazda hasn’t lost faith and has claimed that the 2018 Mazda 3 will boast 30% improved fuel economy over the current model which is an incredibly bold claim to make, as this is a giant leap forward for the 19th century technology.
How has Mazda achieved this?
By taking a step in a new direction and removing a spark plug induced ignition cycle favouring high pressure similar to a diesel engine to get the job done. The technology is called homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI for short, and the effects may be profound as it gets integrated into the second generation of SkyActiv engines. A flat 30% improvement would have a Mazda 3 able to sip just 3.3 litres of fuel per 100km. Loaded with a 51 litre tank this would bring the total range to a timezone jumping 1,530km.
There certainly seems to be life left for petrol engines but even so, Mazda have hedged their bets by actively working with Toyota to continue joint research on electrically powered options. Plans exist within the Hiroshima based company to offer an electric vehicle by 2019 and a plug-in hybrid in 2021.
