Introducing Mazda’s Technology Development Vision

Mazda have announced Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 - its new long-term vision for technology development that looks ahead to the year 2030.

Under the original “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” vision announced in 2007, Mazda has striven to offer both driving pleasure combined with outstanding environmental and safety performance. In light of the rapid changes taking place in the automotive industry, the new vision takes a longer-term perspective and sets out how Mazda will use driving pleasure, the fundamental appeal of the automobile, to help solve issues facing people and the world today.

A key cornerstone to Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 will be the introduction of a next-generation engine known as SKYACTIV-X. SKYACTIV-X will be the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition.¹

More than just the launch of a revolutionary new engine, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 represents a range of initiatives and approaches that will positively impact earth, society and people in equal measure.

A positive effect on our earth

Mazda’s aim is to create a sustainable future in which people and cars coexist with society and our earth. To achieve this Mazda will approach it in the following ways:

• Expanding measures for carbon dioxide reduction from a “well-to-wheel” perspective, considering emissions over the vehicle’s entire life cycle
• Aiming to reduce corporate average “well-to-wheel” carbon dioxide emissions to 50 percent of 2010 levels by 2030, and achieving a 90-percent reduction by 2050
• An ongoing policy prioritising efficiency improvements and measures for cleaner emissions that apply in the real world
• Continued efforts to perfect the internal combustion engine, which will help power the majority of cars worldwide for many years to come and can therefore make the greatest contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently then combining these results with effective electrification technologies
• From 2019, introducing electric vehicles and other electric drive technologies in regions that use a high ratio of clean energy for power generation or restrict certain vehicles to reduce air pollution

A positive effect on society

Through cars and a society that provide safety and peace of mind, Mazda will create a system that enriches lives by offering unrestricted mobility to people everwhere. In achieving this Mazda will adopt the following approaches:

• Development of more advanced safety technologies under the Mazda Proactive Safety philosophy, working toward the goal of eliminating traffic accidents
• Further enhancements of safety fundamentals such as correct driving position, pedal layout and good visibility, and standardising them across all models
• Promoting further standardisation of i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features, which help drivers recognise and assess potential hazards. In addition to Japan, where these features are already becoming standard, gradually make these technologies standard in other markets starting in 2018
• The  beginning of testing of autonomous driving technologies currently being developed in line with Mazda’s human-centered Mazda Co-Pilot Concept² in 2020 with an aim to make the system standard on all models by 2025
• Using connectivity technologies to create a new business model that enables car owners to support the needs of people in depopulated areas and those who have difficulty getting around

A positive effect on people

Ensuring a positive future begins with taking care of people. Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 is therefore equally committed to enhancing customers’ lives with the satisfaction that comes from protecting our earth and contributing to society with a car that offers true driving pleasure. Central to this are two important approaches:

• The pursuit of an enhanced Jinba-ittai driving feel that will unlock people’s potential and revitalise them mentally and physically
• Based on the philosophy of “breathing life into the car,” further developing Mazda’s signature KODO design language - raising vehicle design to a level of art that enriches the emotional lives of all who see it.

Leading the way: The SKYACTIV-X next-generation engine

Over recent years Mazda has developed SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY – a comprehensive engineering platform that has delivered some of the industries most fuel-efficient engines without sacrificing power. This is set to soar to another level with the development of SKYACTIV-X.

SKYACTIV-X will be the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use compression ignition, in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously when compressed by the piston

A proprietary combustion method called Spark Controlled Compression Ignition overcomes two issues that had impeded commercialisation of compression ignition gasoline engines: maximising the zone in which compression ignition is possible and achieving a seamless transition between compression ignition and spark ignition.

Features of the SKYACTIV-X engine include:

• Combining the advantages of gasoline and diesel engines to achieve outstanding environmental performance, power and acceleration performance.
• Compression ignition and a supercharger fitted to improve fuel economy - delivering unprecedented engine response and increase torque at a rate of 10–30 percent over the current SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine.³
• This compression ignition will make possible a super lean burn⁴ that improves engine efficiency up to 20–30 percent over the current SKYACTIV-G, and from 35–45 percent over Mazda’s 2008 gasoline engine of the same displacement. SKYACTIV-X even equals or exceeds the latest SKYACTIV-D diesel engine in fuel efficiency.
• With high efficiency across a wide range of rpms and engine loads, the engine allows much more latitude in the selection of gear ratios, providing both superior fuel economy and driving performance.

The vision about to become reality

Moving forward Mazda will contribute to a future in which people, the earth and society can coexist with cars and enrich people’s lives through a car ownership experience that celebrates driving with a strong emotional connection.

1. As of August 2017, according to in-house investigations.

2. Mazda’s human-centered self-driving technology development concept. People enjoy driving while being revitalized mentally and physically. Meanwhile the car is driving “virtually” with a firm grasp of the movements of the driver and the car. In unexpected situations, such as a sudden loss of consciousness, the car will override the driver, automatically contact emergency services and drive safely to the most appropriate location.

3. Engine is still under development and figures are subject to change.

4. A condition in which the ratio of gasoline to air is reduced to a level that would not ignite in a spark-ignition engine.