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Mazda Considering SKY Diesels For U.S.

 
9 2,014 views Oct 22, 2009
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Mazda SKY D diesel engine

Mazda SKY D diesel engine

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Mazda SKY G gasoline direct injection engine

Mazda SKY G gasoline direct injection engine

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Mazda caught a lot of flak earlier this year for stating outright that it would answer every other brand's hybrids with clean diesels, then promptly flip-flopping and saying it was working on hybrids. Now the pendulum has swung back again, though it's likely to come to rest somewhere in the middle, with the recently unveiled SKY D diesel engine complementing the company's hybrid strategy.

The latest news comes straight out of Tokyo as the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show continues on, with the company's head of R&D Seita Kanai saying that it makes good engineering sense, though the business case will be the hard part.

There are applications where a diesel engine is simply a better choice than a hybrid, particularly on heavy vehicles that require lots of low-end torque for acceleration or towing capacity. Lighter vehicles benefit greatly from hybrid drive because it's easier to store sufficient energy in a reasonably-sized and -priced battery pack.

Whether that can readily translate into an affordable option that Americans will buy, especially in preference to a relatively efficient, direct-injection gasoline engine--something Mazda has no shortage of, especially with the gasoline models of the SKY family--is an entirely different question, however.

Still, with new CAFE legislation bearing down and more and more manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and even potentially Nissan, pushing forward with U.S.-market diesels, it could soon become both economically and environmentally feasible for Mazda to bring clean diesels to the U.S.

What do you think? Would you rather have a hybrid, a clean diesel, or a high-efficiency gasoline engine? Why? Let us know in the comments below, or if you've got a lot to say about it, write up an article and get it published--right here at High Gear Media. Read below for details on how to get started.

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Comments (9)

  1. By Agent Posted: 10/22/2009 3:56pm PDT

    I would prefer high effecieny gasoline, because you can still get gasoline everwhere, quickley too.
     
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  2. By Gus Posted: 10/22/2009 4:42pm PDT

    Here in SoCal, Diesel is $2.99 and regular is $3.09, so it makes more sense now than it did when regular was $3.99 and Diesel was $4.59...
     
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  3. By bepsf Posted: 10/22/2009 4:50pm PDT

    Gimme mega-torque and amazing mileage!
    Gimme a diesel!
     
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  4. By Gus Posted: 10/22/2009 8:40pm PDT

    There is only one, and only one, problem. Not every station has it. I'd say 1 of every 4 stations. That's mildly inconvenient. It's not like in Europe, where every single tiny station has it.
     
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  5. By Howard J Flint Posted: 10/23/2009 1:32am PDT

    Actually a plug- in diesel hybrid with flex fuel capability would be nice. That way you could fuel with other compatible diesel fuels with a little adjustment, and be able to plug-in abd recharge the electric batteries.
     
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  6. By Antonio Posted: 10/23/2009 6:22am PDT

    I am waiting anxiously for more diesels in our market, here in Tx finding diesel is easy and is slighlty cheaper than reg gasoline. With more diesels will be more stations eveywhere. Diesel engines are wonderful, I have a Passat TDI 2005, and has been just perfect.
     
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  7. By Nicholas Posted: 10/23/2009 8:52am PDT

    I say a diesel hybrid...or like howard flint said, a plug-in diesel hybrid with the ability to use biodiesel if need be...and don't forget turbocharging too...this would the be holy grail of efficiency lol
     
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  8. By bepsf Posted: 10/23/2009 9:40am PDT

    "There is only one, and only one, problem. Not every station has it. "
    There's an App for that.
     
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  9. By  green tea Posted: 11/26/2009 11:28pm PST

    I think I gave up on Mazda with the RX-8 and it’s ridiculously slow, gas-guzzler of an engine. I still don’t understand the point of that engine other then being rotary-powered and different. Where are the pros. They should have dropped the mazdaspeed 3’s engine in there the second it was released. Faster car with better mileage, where’s the logic Mazda?!?
     
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