Week with SKYACTIV

[GimmeAllYaMoney]

Hello

I've just spent a week driving around in a Demio with the new SKYACTIV engine. Antoine asked me to post my impressions (humpleg)

I happen to be driving around in one, as my current Demio is getting repaired. Stupid coworkers not able to park their cars without hitting someone else's... (hand) My current Demio is a normal 1.3L 5 speed auto transmission.

Anyway, my main impression is that the Skyactiv Demio seems to have less power than my normal one (ohsnap!) I'm no expert but whenever I put my foot down it seems to take longer to get up to speed - it lags a bit. Now, I must also point out that this vehicle has Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). So the feeling of less power may be attributable to that, rather than the Skyactiv engine itself.

Also, the car uses the idling stop system, so to me, it feels like it takes a few moments for it to get going after the engine restarts. That said, I like to put my foot down as soon as I lift it from the brake so it may be more attributable to that type of driving style.

As for mileage, well I assume it is quite a bit better than my normal Demio. There is a gauge which displays the current km/L as you're driving, and anecdotally I'd say I was getting about 20km/L when driving on open stretches. My current Demio gets about 12km/L.

I'll post some pictures (I had to resize them so hopefully the quality is still okay), and when I get a chance to convert, I took a couple of videos of the new electronic gauge that displays various info, such as the mileage.


This is the new gauge.


This too. You can see the mileage. The bottom most number is the Odometer, and number above that (smaller one) is distance can travel on remaining fuel.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B7LFInEXMMM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Richard_rsp]

Hey thanks for the review! I'm excited about the SkyActive motors and will be checking them out once they are in the states...

I LOVE the new fuel/info gauge and hope it makes it to the US models!!!

Be sure and report back your actual calculated mileage once you fill it up!

Thanks again!

 

[Slow Paul]

Yes, thank you for posting up the quick review and the picture of that awesome gauge. I've been thinking I might trade my 2 in for a newer skyactive model if the MPG's and the horsepower is in the right range for me.

 

[CorkSport]

That looks cool as hell compared to what is in the car now.

-Derrick

 

[Mazdamatic]

i was reading up on the skyactiv and mazda had made it get like low HP but insanely high torque lol should be fun

 

[Antoine]

Thanks for posting the review with pics! (2thumbs)

I took the same SKYACTIV Demio for a quick spin around the block and while the CVT and istop take a bit getting used to...I felt power delivery was very smooth for such a reasonably priced car...I really dig the SKYACTIV info display (it's really crisp) and the fact you can get killer fuel economy in a stylish, fun and super affordable car!

That said, power delivery is a bit on the weak side but that could be due to the CVT...I heard MAZDA is NOT going to offer the same SKYACTIV spec in North America (aka minus the CVT?) mostly likely due to the lack of "oomph", they will probably offer a SKYACTIV package tuned for a balance between power and fuel economy. In Japan, fuel economy has become THE selling point for many people.

GimmeAllYaMoney was kind enough to take a couple quick vids of the info display as well...I'll post those up soon!

 

[dqniel]

Cram the Mazda3 Skyactiv engine into the 2 for the US It will never happen, but we can dream.

 

[Antoine]

Cram the Mazda3 Skyactiv engine into the 2 for the US It will never happen, but we can dream.

SKYACTIV Engine Swaps! (rockon)

It will be very interesting to see what path tuners take with the new engines. I also hope this new generation of Mazda models and engines attracts more tuner support, the Mazda Aftermarket certainly needs a boost!

 

[GimmeAllYaMoney]

So, actually it turned out to be Two weeks with Skyactiv as the repairs took longer than expected.

I took the Skyactiv back tonight to the dealers where my normal Demio was being repaired. I drove my normal Demio home. I REALLY noticed the difference in power on the way home. We're not talking sports cars here or anything, both are only 1.3L, but still, after driving the Skyactiv around for two weeks, getting back in the normal Demio made me really feel the difference in power.

When I was at the dealers, the guy I always deal with asked me how the Skyactiv was and I said it felt weak. He said that the engines were being manufactured to have less power, but to have better mileage. I asked if the reduced power might be from the CVT and he said no, it's the engines.

So I guess it's a trade off. Do you want better fuel efficiency, or do you want more power. I have to say I'm happy with more power. The Skyactiv kind of felt like it had power somewhere between my current normal Demio and my old Kei car which was 660cc. The Skyactiv never really felt like it had enough power, particularly now I'm back in the normal Demio.

I notice here in Japan the Skyactiv has just been released for the Axela (think that's Speed3 for you US guys), and it's being released for the CX-5. Actually the CX-5 looks like it's getting Skyactiv chassis, and a few other bits as well as the engine. (I got a brochure about it tonight, Antoine, so I'll get it to you soon.)

 

[Richard_rsp]

Hmmm that is interesting. I am betting the CVT has more to do with it then they are letting on. However, i not sure what the power outputs on the 1.3Ls are...

On the US Mazda 3's with the MZR 2.0L, its rated at 148hp and 135lbs of torque with 24/33mpg (auto). The upcoming 2.0L Skyactive is rated at 155hp and 148lbs of tq. with 28/40mpg (auto)... I would think that from those numbers (and all else being equal) that the car would get better mileage and have more power.. (scratch)

 

[HKPRO5]

Yea im looking to pick up the CX-5 when it comes out. Please post up info if youve got it!

Thanks!

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Agreed. I am trying to decide between an '11 Mazda2 and the CX-5. Please scan and post the CX-5 brochure!!!

 

[GimmeAllYaMoney]

Here's the brochure. Well actually it's the back page of it.



You can see the three types of engines and cars. The first is Demio with 1.3L & CVT. The second is Axela with 2.0L. The third at the top is the CX-5. It looks like it's getting a different engine yet again, as well as a Skyactiv Chassis and body.

The inside of the brochure doesnt have any more info on the CX-5 sorry. Although I have only briefly looked at it; crying baby requires attention The brochure looks like it just talks about the Demio and Axela. Says the Axela engine will be 6 speed AT. That make sense for you guys following that car?

 

[HKPRO5]

OOOooOOOo Awesome.

 

[Antoine]

Here's the video, thanks to GimmeAllYaMoney for the footage! (thumb)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B7LFInEXMMM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
* Added to the original post as well...

Here are a few details about what's happening in the video based on Gimme's info...

- 60km/L appeared while driving down a steep hill

- The i-stop thing might be showing efficiency (ritsu in Japanese usually refers to efficiency), this time it was 49%

- The trees thing might be showing how many trees you've saved thus far? Not driving it that far meant that it was zero

- Not sure what i-DM is, but it says i-DM 2nd stage, average 3.3. Then it says the score for this time was 2.0

- Lastly, on the final screen it gives you Driving Advice. Mine was "Let's try not to accelerate so wildly." >_> I was really flooring it up the hill hehe

 

[DrWebster]

I ran across this video after watching the above one, has some interesting footage of the SkyActiv design process and manufacturing facility. I also found it interesting that you can get the side mirror blinkers (like what the 2010 3's originally had) as well, hopefully that's something that makes its way into the North American SkyActiv 2.