OREANDA-NEWS. October 25, 2011. Mazda Motor Corporation will progressively introduce clean diesel vehicles to the Japanese market, beginning with the new Mazda CX-5 crossover SUV in spring 2012. The vehicles will be powered by Mazda's next-generation 2.2-liter clean diesel engine. The breakthrough 'SKYACTIV-D 2.2' is the world's first passenger vehicle diesel engine to pass Japan's Post New Long-Term Emissions Regulations without the need for expensive nitrogen oxide (NOx) aftertreatment technology. The CX-5 will be the first passenger vehicle in Japan to combine a clean diesel engine with an idling stop system. It will deliver maximum torque of 420Nm, more than some 4.0-liter V6 gasoline engine vehicles, and the best fuel economy of any SUV on the Japanese market at 18.6km/L (JC08 mode test cycle; front wheel drive, automatic transmission models).

Although popular in Europe, current clean diesel vehicles have struggled to gain traction in Japan because they require expensive NOx aftertreatment technology to meet the exhaust gas regulations. Through technological innovation, Mazda has achieved clean combustion of diesel fuel and avoided the need for NOx aftertreatment. Customers in Japan will be able to enjoy the price advantage of diesel over gasoline, approximately twice as much torque as similar sized gasoline engine vehicles, and 30 percent better fuel economy. With these eco-friendly and performance advantages, Mazda expects that its clean diesel vehicles will become a core part of its product lineup in Japan.

Mazda has also redeveloped its unique idling stop system, i-stop, for use with the SKYACTIV-D 2.2 engine. Unlike other diesel engine stop-start systems that require two engine cycles to restart combustion, i-stop restarts in a single cycle by careful positioning of the pistons as the engine stops. At less than 0.4 seconds, i-stop achieves the world's fastest diesel engine restart time. The result is a smooth restart that is barely noticeable, as well as a significant improvement in fuel economy.

By introducing its clean diesel SKYACTIV-D engine to Japan, Mazda hopes to begin a new era of diesel power, add a fresh, fun-to-drive option to Japan's eco-car market, and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and more efficient use of energy resources in Japan.