Mazda SKYACTIV-G 1.3L Engine Does 70 MPG

Mazda has a really big dream, and that is to reduce its fuel economy by 30 percent over the next handful of years. A brand new engine 1.3-liter gasoline direct injection will play a big part there, so the Japanese manufacturer has detailed the unit that will make its debut in the facelifted Mazda2 (Domio in some market).

The unit, unveiled today at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center near Tokyo, Japan, features dual sequential valve timing and an ultra high compression ratio. The unit was actually revealed last year, but the Japanese carmaker waited until now -just a few short weeks before the Domio becomes available in the Asian country - to release the full info.

Combined with the automaker's i-stop idling stop system, the SKYACTIV G 1.3 features a record high compression ratio of 14.0:1 together with knocking avoiding technologies like piston cavities designed to support ideal combustion and multi hole injectors for precise fuel injection.

Mazda has reportedly applied for more than 130 patents in relation to the SKYACTIV G 1.3 engine, which develops 82 hp at 5,400 rpm (62 kW)  and 112 Nm (83 LB-FT)of torque at 4,000 rpm. That doesn’t sound like much, but the carmaker says that the Domio will get around 70 mpg Japan’s domestic market testing. This is also because the little four-pot is mated to a CVT that makes the most of the new technologies.

The carmaker says that mechanical friction has also been reduced, by 30 percent, due to a narrower crankshaft, new roller followers and low tension piston rings.

We don’t expect to see the small engine in the US any time soon, but it should be a big part of Mazda’s offensive in Europe and Asia.