Mazda lifts its green theme

Mazda has announced a range of initiatives to cut fuel consumption of its vehicles by an average of 30 per cent by 2015.

The initiatives include using lightweight technologies, upgrading almost all of Mazda's petrol engines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new petrol rotary engine and new diesel engines.

By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain line-up and, from 2011, aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by at least 100kg.

Mazda claims the average fuel economy of its vehicles sold in Japan improved by about 30 per cent during the past seven years. It says it has been working on developing hydrogen-powered vehicles since 1991. This month, the Japanese Government agreed to begin testing the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid on public roads.

The Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid has 40 per cent more power and a driving range of 200km. It will be available for commercial lease in Japan. Mazda also is developing a new Hydrogen RE vehicle with performance equivalent to a 3-litre petrol engine and a hydrogen range of 400km.

Next year, Mazda will begin mass production of its Smart Idle Stop System in one of its cars, initially in Japan and Europe. Australia is unlikely to see it before the next decade.

Mazda's system restarts the engine from idle by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to force the piston down.

It claims restart is fast and quiet and improves economy by up to 8 per cent.

An E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine that can run on up to 85 per cent ethanol will be introduced into the north European and North American markets.

From 2011, new petrol engines will incorporate next-generation direct-injection spark ignition and other systems to boost power by 15 to 20 per cent and improve fuel economy by about 20 per cent.

Mazda also says it will introduce new diesel engines worldwide in 2011 that meet the strictest future exhaust gas regulations in each market. These engines will feature next-generation direct-injection technology, turbocharging systems and nitrogen oxide reduction technology, which will enhance fuel economy by 20 per cent and produce cleaner exhaust gases. The trademark Mazda rotary engine will be upgraded in the early 2010s.

Currently referred to as the 16X, the next rotary engine will offer improved performance and economy through use of direct-injection spark ignition and high-speed combustion technology. Mazda also has committed to cleaning up its production facilities. Last year, the volume of CO2 emissions from production activities in Japan was reduced by 15.4 per cent compared with 1990.

Mazda plans to introduce a more advanced version of its low-VOC paint system, introduced in 2005, next year.

It says it is in the process of finalising development of a water-based paint technology that reduces VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions by 57 per cent without increasing CO2 emissions.