Mazda will showcase the next step in its Building Block Strategy at the 2012 Tokyo Motor Show. The automaker’s presentation includes the Takeri sedan and CX-5 SUV powered by SKYACTIV drive components. The Building Block Strategy is a three-step process evolving from improved vehicle design and regenerative braking to fully electric vehicles. This duo of concept vehicles presented by Mazda represents the second stage in this strategy. Mazda hopes that the strategy’s focus on clean diesel appeals to budget-strapped consumers and businesses in Japan.
The Takeri is powered by the 2.2-liter SKYACTIV-D engine with power drawn in part from the i-stop brake system. This clean-diesel engine was the first engine to pass the Post New Long-Term Emissions Regulations established by the Japanese government. Mazda notes that the Takeri as well as the CX-5 pass these regulations without the use of expensive treatment technology. The i-stop brake system reduces engine stop-start time by 50% through careful alignment of engine pistons. This system can restart the engine from a full stop in 0.4 seconds using stored electricity gathered from regenerative braking.
Observers of the CX-5 witness the full complement of SKYACTIV components within a single vehicle. This crossover incorporates the i-stop brake system, the SKYACTIV-D engine as well as a lightweight design customary within the Building Block Strategy. The CX-5 SUV reached an estimated fuel economy of 43.8 miles per gallon based on Mazda’s initial testing. Dealerships will also offer the SKYACTIV-G gas engine with automatic transmission that achieves a fuel economy rating of 37.6 MPG. The CX-5 SUV is slated for the Japanese market by late spring 2012.
The advantages of Mazda’s approach to green vehicles are clear within the context of the Japanese auto market. The price disparity between diesel and gasoline in Japan means that clean-diesel vehicles are less expensive to operate over their lifetimes. Mazda projects a 30% fuel economy improvement between clean-diesel vehicles and gas models. Models like the Takeri sedan and CX-5 SUV represent Mazda’s direction within the next decade. This heavy investment in clean diesel helps Mazda in the next few years but the automaker must reach the final stage of the Building Block Strategy to achieve long-term success.
