Mazda Corporation is a company that thinks differently which is why the investment in its ground-breaking SKYACTIV programme has been so significant. “It’s given us a point of difference to other car makers,” said Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda UK.
“We have always produced cars that people want to drive, cars that stand out from the crowd, and this continues with our new standout products, Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6, which have been tremendously well received.”
Mazda’s SKYACTIV engines are 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel and when the technology won the What Car? Ultra-Low-Carbon Award it proved that motorists don’t have to downsize to achieve low CO2, said Thomson. “Cars can still be fun-to-drive and offer low emissions,” he added. “The What Car? award has given us real eco-credibility.”
Motorists should look at MPG and CO2 and not cubic centimetres, he said. Mazda6 CO2 emissions start from as low as 108g/km (2.2-litre 150ps Diesel) with combined fuel consumption of up to 67.3mpg on the official cycle. To get that low, other manufacturers have smaller cars or use smaller engines or both, said Thomson (see table below).
Comparative data:
Selected models: CO2 / Engine size / Power PS / Combined MPG / List Price
Mazda6 2.2 Saloon Sport Nav Diesel: 108 / 2191cc / 150 / 67.3 / £25,595
BMW 320d Efficient dynamics: 109 / 1995cc / 163 / 68.9 / £28,410
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0CDTi SRi Nav Eflex: 112 / 1956cc / 160 / 67.3 / £26,145
Hyundai i40 Tourer 1.7CRDi Blue Active: 113 / 1685cc / 115 / 65.7 / £19,765
Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCI ECO (hatch) Business Editon: 114 / 1560cc / 115 / 65.7 / £21,195
Mazda6 2.2 Tourer Sport Nav Diesel: 116 / 2191cc / 150 / 64.2 / £26,345
Volkswagen Passat Estate S 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Technology: 116 / 1598cc / 105 / 64.2 / £24,280
Mercedes Benz C-Class 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Executive SE Auto: 116 / 2143cc / 170 / 64.2 / £30,160
Also, unlike other manufacturer’s Eco brands, which often there is a premium charge for, Mazda’s low emission SKYACTIV technology is standard on all sixth generation models, Mazda CX-5 and all-new Mazda6, and all future Mazda models. Indeed, i-ELOOP the Japanese company’s unique brake energy regeneration system, is standard on the majority of Mazda6 models. “It’s harvesting free energy,” said Thomson.
The SKYACTIV models are winning individual awards as well. Mazda6 won the Fleet News award for ‘Best Upper Medium’ car, while Mazda6 Tourer was shortlisted in the ‘Best Estate category’ and Mazda CX-5 was highly commended in the ‘Best Crossover category’.
This month, Mazda’s sixth generation cars captured two ‘Best Car’ awards at the ‘Fleet World 2013 Honours’, the all-new Mazda6 took the ‘Best Upper Medium’ title, while the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV won the ‘Best Small SUV’ category. Earlier this year, CarBuyer website selected the all-new Mazda6 to receive two awards – ‘Best Large Family Car’ for the Mazda6 Saloon and ‘Best Estate Car’ for the Mazda6 Tourer and What Car? named the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV as Britain’s ‘Best Buy’ SUV in the under £25,000 category.
The fleet awards are “a crucial achievement underpinning our critical offering to the fleet sector ahead of some very credible contenders,” explained Thomson. “I hope for similar accolades as we bring new SKYACTIV technology cars to market over the next 18 months.”
“We have been investing in SKYACTIV technologies since 2006 and that investment is now coming to fruition,” he said.
