Mazda hints at wider SKY

Mazda’s global head of R&D has confirmed more, and perhaps larger, SKY engines are on the way.

Speaking at a recent CX-5 prototype drive in Iceland, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of R&D, Hirotaka Kanazawa, told motoring.com.au that the company was set to launch a wider range of engines featuring SKY direct-injection and combustion technologies.

Mazda is in the process of rolling out 1.3 and 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated SKY-G petrol engines for its Mazda2, Mazda3 and soon-to-be released CX-5 softroader models. In addition the CX-5 will also debut twin-turbo versions of the 2.2-litre SKY-D turbodiesel four in at least two power and torque outputs.

But Kanazawa’s statements confirmed speculation that the burgeoning Japanese brand would also launch more petrol and turbodiesel engines.

Reported to be on the drawing board specifically for markets like Europe are a 1.5 or 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four and 1.6-litre turbodiesel. At the other end of the scale a SKY-equipped version of the 2.5-litre four that features in the current Mazda 6 in some markets, is also tipped to debut.

The mid-sized petrol fours will likely debut in the next generation Mazda3 – in 2013/14, but the 1.6-litre diesel could arrive sooner, in an interim model.

By way of example, Mazda Australia will launch a SKY-G (petrol) equipped Mazda3 locally next month. Though the architecture of the platform precludes the full benefits from SKY’s unique powerplant configuration, the car is seen as an important calling-card for the technology. A SKY-D (diesel) interim model would be the same for the brand in Europe.

In discussion with motoring.com.au Kanazawa-san conceded the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol four debuted in the CX-5 does not have the torque required to provide higher levels of performance in a sporty medium-sized car like the next generation 6.

When quizzed on the timetable for the larger petrol engine Kanazawa stated: “Eventually we may need to go in that [larger displacement] direction… Some product will need more torque.”

But for the moment SKY will be limited to four-cylinder applications, Kanazawa says. Not willing to be drawn on applications for rotary engines, Kanazawa also ruled out the application of SKY to Mazda’s small volume of six-cylinder engines (CX-9).

In reply to a question about engines of less than four-cylinders he stated: “It is something we could explore, but it is not in the program currently.”

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