Mazda at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show

Sustainable Zoom-Zoom moves forward

Energy diversity and safety will be front and centre at Mazda’s exhibit at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. Highlights include the world premiere of the Mazda3 SKYACTIV-Hybrid. Mazda’s all-new compact is thus the first model in Japan available with petrol, diesel and hybrid drives. Yet another alternative will be on stage, too, as the company unveils its Mazda3 SKYACTIV-CNG concept. Finally, with the Mazda6 ASV-5, Mazda will showcase one the world’s most advanced traffic safety concepts ever. Innovation is the future, and the future is here.

Table of contents

1. Mazda3 SKYACTIV-Hybrid

2. Mazda3 SKYACTIV-CNG concept

3. Mazda6 ASV-5 Advanced Safety Vehicle

Mazda3 SKYACTIV-Hybrid

Mazda’s first hybrid: It’s another major milestone for Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda’s vision to deliver the best of all motoring worlds. The electric-petrol drive will initially power the all-new Mazda3*, which is also making its Japanese debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

The latest addition to the SKYACTIV family, the SKYACTIV-Hybrid uses an electric motor to assist the SKYACTIV petrol engine, especially at low engine speeds and during low load operation. The engine, a specially modified SKYACTIV-G 2.0, features ultra-high 14:1 compression, a 4-1 exhaust manifold and unique control systems for more efficient combustion over a wider operating range. It also utilises exhaust gas recirculation, recovering exhaust heat to reduce warm-up times and allow more fuel-saving engine stops.

So much for efficient power production. To get it to the front wheels, a transaxle splits output from the SKYACTIV-G into drive power and generator power. In doing so, it transfers the most effective combination of output from the petrol engine and electric motor. The result: seamless, linear acceleration. A power control unit, meanwhile, steps battery power up and down to supply the electric motor, auxiliary equipment and auxiliary battery, in the process optimising the electricity supply the motor and elsewhere. Computer monitoring of the nickel-metal hydride battery’s current, voltage and temperature, among other things, helps maintain the ideal battery status and enhance its durability.

The upshot: The all-new Mazda3 SKYACTIV-Hybrid is remarkably frugal, consuming only 3.2l/100km according to Japan’s JC08 test cycle. And with a total system output of 100kW (136PS), it is also exceptionally fun to drive.

Down to the details

An uncompromising hybrid from an uncompromising carmaker: The engine sound is even tuned to match engine speed and acceleration for a genuinely Mazda Jinba Ittai rider-and-horse-as-one driving experience. Yet another highlight is the SKYACTIV-Hybrid’s cooperative brake energy regeneration setup, which consists of regenerative brakes employing an electric motor as well as hydraulic brakes.

The two systems work together not only to ensure outstanding linear braking, but also to maximise the recovery of energy, which is then converted to electricity to further improve fuel economy.

Of course, the all-new Mazda3 SKYACTIV-Hybrid comes with the same cutting-edge

safety technology, connectivity, interior design and layout as any other Mazda3. And the same head-turning “KODO – Soul of Motion” exterior, lightweight SKYACTIV-Body, and the superb handling of the SKYACTIV-Chassis. So it’s just as safe, just as enjoyable, and even more fuel efficient. Mazda continues to defy convention, and it’s quite exciting. .

* Mazda Axela in Japan

Specifications: Mazda3 SKYACTIV-Hybrid

Fuel economy & weights: Mazda3 (models available in Japan)

* Measured according to Japan’s rigorous JC08 test cycle

** Mazda in-house figure

Mazda3 SKYACTIV-CNG concept

It’s the spirit of Sustainable Zoom-Zoom: Having the right models suited to the widest possible range of customers. This is why, alongside the SKYACTIV-Hybrid, Mazda is also unveiling its Mazda3* SKYACTIV-CNG concept in Tokyo.

Like all its new-generation models and model variants, SKYACTIV Technology provides the basis for Mazda’s dual-fuel compact. Another link in the chain of potential customer needs, the Mazda3 SKYACTIV-CNG concept features a special dual-fuel SKYACTIV-G 2.0 with separate petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks. It thus delivers outstanding flexibility while also extending range. And, as always, 100 per cent Mazda driving fun.

With its 14:1 compression ratio, the unconventional SKYACTIV-G is ideal for alternative fuels like natural gas and ethanol that have higher octane values than petrol, since it requires little additional development or even tweaking.

Adaptability is the keyword here for Mazda. Since all its main models are global models, the company is taking a multi-solution approach to be ready for different markets with different policies and preferences in terms of fuel.

Flexible Zoom-Zoom

After petrol, diesel and hybrid power, CNG was the logical next step. With the recovery of unconventional natural gas sources like shale gas becoming commercially viable around the world, natural gas is a truly feasible alternative to petrol and diesel. Particularly in compressed CNG form, which has a higher energy density than, say, liquefied natural gas. And with no compromises, either, since an engine running on CNG produces some 20 per cent less CO₂ than a petrol-burning unit while at the same time releasing more energy.

Currently, CNG is most popular in places like Iran, South America, India and Pakistan. But it is growing in popularity in Europe, too, with Italy leading the way both in terms of the number of cars on the road as well as the CNG infrastructure.

Specifications: Mazda3 SKYACTIV-CNG concept

Mazda6 ASV-5

Advanced Safety Vehicle

A world without car accidents: Uncompromising safety is a core element of Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, and Mazda is tireless in its efforts to continually advance this aspect of its vehicles. Reinforcing its position as a world safety technology leader, Mazda will display one of its key projects – that Mazda6* ASV-5 – in Tokyo.

Short for advanced safety vehicle, the ASV-5 combines the Mazda Proactive Safety concept with Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies. Mazda Proactive Safety encompasses the array of technology and design features available with Mazda models to minimise accident risks. These ranges from the advanced i-ACTIVSENSE range of sensor-based safety systems available on all-new Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 to the company’s intuitive cabin-based human-machine interface (HMI), which helps the driver effectively and safely handle all the information provided by such systems.

ITS now takes it one step further. Developed by a consortium of Mazda, the University of Tokyo, Hiroshima Electric Railway Co. and Japan’s National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, ITS connects vehicles, trams and people to prevent accidents as well as traffic jams. The goal: no less than a safe mobile society.

World-first technology

Initial results are encouraging after the ASV-5 began street trials in Hiroshima, Japan in September. It utilises world’s first system enabling trams and cars to share data, including vehicle type, location, direction of travel, and braking and turn signal information. In addition to information obtained from other vehicles, traffic signals and roadside sensors, the specially-equipped Mazda6 sedan also uses milliwave radar, microwave sensors and cameras to support driver awareness by keeping an “eye” on the surroundings, and especially the blind spots. Like in many European cities, trams are an essential component of Hiroshima’s public transportation system, carrying around 150,000 people daily.

Together, The ASV-5 and ITS technologies mark some major progress in establishing a safe and effective transportation system that reaps the greatest benefit from both rail and road transport. Another convention-defying concept brought to you by Mazda.

* Mazda Atenza in Japan