1991 Mazda Rx-7 Convertible Convertible 2-door 1.3l on 2040-cars

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Mazda keeping non-hybrid, non-electric Skyactiv strategy

Mazda still thinks that it can buck the trend of adding those fancy batteries and electric motors to its cars. At least for a little while longer. Hopefully. Speaking to Auto Express recently, Mazda's European boss, Jeff Guyton, said that he expects his company's cars to be able to get a lot more efficient without resorting to any of that fancy electrification stuff. "I think there's at least 20-30 percent better fuel economy by the end of the decade," he said. He said that he expected to get to Europe's low target of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer, "without any significant deployment of electrical drive." This part is all in line with Mazda's long-term Skyactiv strategy, as laid out back in 2011 and first mentioned publicly in 2010. Remember, this is the company that once proudly proclaimed, "Not Electric. Not Hybrid. Not A Drag To Drive." As explained back in 2011, Mazda hopes to wait until other automakers have done all of the heavy lifting on developing plug-in and hybrid tech so that when Mazda enters the market, things will be cheaper. Of course, Mazda has been quietly testing all-electric vehicles and Guyton said that there may be an Mazda EV at some point. "We are interested in electric technology and it will be in the distant future when it will be quite important," he told AE. "But we think it will take some time to be commercially attractive without tax payer-funded incentives." How much of a delay? Well, there is a gas-electric Mazda 3 hybrid available in Japan that uses some powertrain parts from the Toyota Prius, and we all know that the Prius has been around for ages. Maybe in 2025, Mazda will come out with a Leaf-based Mazda 2. Related Video: Green Mazda Fuel Efficiency Electric Hybrid skyactiv mazda skyactiv

Mazda MX-30 crossover is brand's first EV, with sporty, coupe-like looks

TOKYO — Mazda's first production full electric car has finally been revealed, and it's called the MX-30. And the name and shape point to it being a sporty, fun EV, though we're still waiting for more details. Starting with the name, the 30 designation gives you an idea of its size, which is similar to the upcoming CX-30, itself close to the Mazda3 hatchback. And importantly, it has the MX prefix, which is only used on Mazda's sporty cars, typically with piston engines. The RX prefix is for sporty rotary cars. So clearly the aim of this car is to be fun. Its shape points to sportiness, too. It has a fastback roofline that is coupe-like. In fact, you could arguably call this a coupe, since it uses the same type of rear half-door arrangement found on the RX-8 and Saturn Ion coupes. And of course it was used on the less coupe-like Honda Element and Toyota FJ Cruiser. The roof also is available in a contrasting graphite color. The lower half of the body is simple, and a bit boxy with the blunt nose. That nose features a much smaller rendition of Mazda's pentagonal grille, and the grille blends into the headlights. And like all crossovers, the MX-30 has big plastic fender flares. Inside, the MX-30 features a typically minimalist, modern dashboard that's low and wide. New for the MX-30 is a touchscreen display for climate control functions, and it sits on a "floating" center stack and console. The cabin features unique materials such as fabric made from plastic bottles, and cork in the center console. That cork is made of leftovers from a cork stopper company, and it's a nice throwback to Mazda's origins as a cork producer. While we get a great look at the MX-30 inside and out, Mazda was light on critical details for an electric car: power and range. Both are mysteries, though it seems it is a single-motor vehicle, and so is likely front-drive only. It does feature an electric version of G-Vectoring Control, which is the system that reduces torque with steering input to shift weight forward for a larger front contact patch and more eager turn-in. The battery, located in the floor of the car, is cooled with a refrigerant, so it isn't simply air-cooled, and the car will be compatible with DC fast charging stations. Mazda also didn't provide an on-sale date for the MX-30. We expect it will be available sometime in the next year. Whether it will come to America is also an open question. But as a stylish crossover, it seems like it would be an EV with U.S.

2014 Mazda6 i-Eloop to net 40 mpg hwy, 28 mpg city

Even before Mazda unveiled the 2014 Mazda6, it had introduced its innovative, non-hybrid i-Eloop (Intelligent Energy Loop) brake regeneration system. This technology converts kinetic energy into usable electricity using the alternator, a DC/DC converter and a capacitor mounted just behind the front fascia. During deceleration, the alternator captures energy that is then stored in the capacitor, which can later be used to directly power electric devices like climate control and audio systems. When i-Eloop power is used, it reduces the load on the engine and helps to conserve fuel.
Now available on the Mazda6, i-Eloop is only available on the $29,695 Grand Touring trim level as a part of the $2,080 GT Technology Package, meaning that buyers desiring i-Eloop will have to spend at least $31,775 (not including destination). The added price of this technology should be worth it for those looking for optimal fuel economy as the i-Eloop, combined with the package's active grille shutters, will bump the sedan's fuel economy numbers up to 28 miles per gallon city and 40 mpg highway - both are improvements of 2 mpg over the standard Mazda6 Grand Touring. The GT Technology Package also includes a Sport mode, lane departure warning, high beam control, radar cruise control and forward obstruction warning - the latter two technologies are currently offered in a $900 package that is being discontinued.
i-Eloop will eventually be offered on other Mazda products including the 2014 Mazda3. Scroll down for the official press release on the Mazda6's fuel-saving i-Eloop technology.