The next generation Mazda MX-5 could have a hybrid or diesel engine in an effort to reduce fuel consumption, but only if it doesn’t affect the character of the car. By
The world’s most popular soft-top sports car, the Mazda MX-5, could soon have a green tinge with the addition of a hybrid powertrain and even a diesel engine.
The next generation MX-5 will also shrink in size in an effort to lower its weight by at least 10 per cent, in turn reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
As the two-seater sports car approaches its 20th anniversary, Mazda MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima says the company is studying environmentally friendly alternatives to the car’s four-cylinder petrol engines.
Kijima says a petrol-electric hybrid engine could be employed to reduce the fuel consumption of the MX-5 and reduce its already modest carbon dioxide emissions.
“I would say the chance of a diesel or hybrid engine [for MX-5] is more than 50 per cent,” says Kijima, who is adamant a decision has not been made on future powerplants for the MX-5.
A hybrid also creates several challenges for Mazda engineers; the character of the MX-5 was built around a simple, lightweight construction.
Yet hybrid powertrains contain heavy batteries that also take up space, something the MX-5 doesn’t have much of.
“[Keeping the weight of a hybrid down] is a big headache,” he says. “Packaging is another big problem with a hybrid.”
He also stipulates any future MX-5 variants would need to maintain the optimum weight balance of 50 per cent over the front wheels and 50 per cent over the rear wheels.
“We wouldn’t sell the technology [with a hybrid] we would sell the fun-to-drive,” says Kijima.
He also says a diesel engine is being considered for the MX-5, but that it would be a smaller capacity in an effort (possibly a 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder) to overcome the inherently heavier weight of a diesel.
Kijima says the push for lower carbon dioxide emissions – known as greenhouse gas – is the main reason for considering alternative engines.
Kijima also says the next Mazda MX-5 will be smaller than the current car, bringing it closer in size to the original MX-5 that was first seen in 1989.
“In future we will achieve a minimum 10 per cent weight reduction [for the Mazda MX-5],” he says.
But Mazda says the smaller, lighter exterior will not compromise the already compact interior. Instead some clever design work and engineering packaging is expected to ensure the diminutive two-seater is at least as spacious as the current car and safer.
Kijima says the MX-5’s engines could also shrink as part of the weight-saving mission, instead relying on more advanced technologies – such as direct injection – to get equivalent performance from smaller capacities.
Having smaller engines also allows engineers to place them lower in the car for improved handling and dynamics.
“It’s very important to keep the centre of gravity low,” says Kijima.
Kijima admits he gets “many requests to make MX-5 bigger and more powerful”, mainly from the United States, but that the character of the car is built on its compact dimensions and light weight.
“We must balance these requests with nimble and light weight,” he says.
Fonte : http://www.drive.com.au
The world’s most popular soft-top sports car, the Mazda MX-5, could soon have a green tinge with the addition of a hybrid powertrain and even a diesel engine.
The next generation MX-5 will also shrink in size in an effort to lower its weight by at least 10 per cent, in turn reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
As the two-seater sports car approaches its 20th anniversary, Mazda MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima says the company is studying environmentally friendly alternatives to the car’s four-cylinder petrol engines.
Kijima says a petrol-electric hybrid engine could be employed to reduce the fuel consumption of the MX-5 and reduce its already modest carbon dioxide emissions.
“I would say the chance of a diesel or hybrid engine [for MX-5] is more than 50 per cent,” says Kijima, who is adamant a decision has not been made on future powerplants for the MX-5.
A hybrid also creates several challenges for Mazda engineers; the character of the MX-5 was built around a simple, lightweight construction.
Yet hybrid powertrains contain heavy batteries that also take up space, something the MX-5 doesn’t have much of.
“[Keeping the weight of a hybrid down] is a big headache,” he says. “Packaging is another big problem with a hybrid.”
He also stipulates any future MX-5 variants would need to maintain the optimum weight balance of 50 per cent over the front wheels and 50 per cent over the rear wheels.
“We wouldn’t sell the technology [with a hybrid] we would sell the fun-to-drive,” says Kijima.
He also says a diesel engine is being considered for the MX-5, but that it would be a smaller capacity in an effort (possibly a 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder) to overcome the inherently heavier weight of a diesel.
Kijima says the push for lower carbon dioxide emissions – known as greenhouse gas – is the main reason for considering alternative engines.
Kijima also says the next Mazda MX-5 will be smaller than the current car, bringing it closer in size to the original MX-5 that was first seen in 1989.
“In future we will achieve a minimum 10 per cent weight reduction [for the Mazda MX-5],” he says.
But Mazda says the smaller, lighter exterior will not compromise the already compact interior. Instead some clever design work and engineering packaging is expected to ensure the diminutive two-seater is at least as spacious as the current car and safer.
Kijima says the MX-5’s engines could also shrink as part of the weight-saving mission, instead relying on more advanced technologies – such as direct injection – to get equivalent performance from smaller capacities.
Having smaller engines also allows engineers to place them lower in the car for improved handling and dynamics.
“It’s very important to keep the centre of gravity low,” says Kijima.
Kijima admits he gets “many requests to make MX-5 bigger and more powerful”, mainly from the United States, but that the character of the car is built on its compact dimensions and light weight.
“We must balance these requests with nimble and light weight,” he says.
Fonte : http://www.drive.com.au
Fan Page : https://www.facebook.com/Mx5italia
Group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/41714379381/
Mazda Mx-5 Miata 1.6
- Scarico Doppio Vici
- Aspirazione diretta doppio cono
- Lexus style bruniti luci posteriori
- Mazdaspeed Led ring lamp anteriori
- V.U.Meter
- Impianto audio Infinity
- Assetto Regolabile V-Maxx
- Hankook V12
Group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/41714379381/
Mazda Mx-5 Miata 1.6
- Scarico Doppio Vici
- Aspirazione diretta doppio cono
- Lexus style bruniti luci posteriori
- Mazdaspeed Led ring lamp anteriori
- V.U.Meter
- Impianto audio Infinity
- Assetto Regolabile V-Maxx
- Hankook V12
