What is Mazda SKYACTIV-X®?

Mazda first introduced the SKYACTIV® technology in 2011 as part of a brand-wide initiative to increase fuel efficiency along with engine output. The manufacturer’s latest version of the SKYACTIV® platform, SKYACTIV-X®, debuted in 2019 with the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30. Today, the SKYACTIV-X® engine is among the most advanced on the market, offering drivers a variety of real-world benefits and top-notch performance.

But what is SKYACTIV-X®, and how does this technology differ from other combustion engines on the market? Read on to discover what makes the cutting-edge SKYACTIV-X® engine system so special.

Technology Behind the SKYACTIV-X® Engine

Mazda’s SKYACTIV-X® engine is the first of its kind on the commercial market. It harnesses a method of combustion known as compression ignition that not only reduces the vehicle’s overall carbon emissions but does so without sacrificing power.

Through this process, SKYACTIV-X® combines the best elements of both gasoline and diesel engines to achieve a higher level of torque (similar to diesel) with a higher RPM (revolutions per minute) and cleaner burn (similar to traditional gasoline).

SKYACTIV-X® engines use a combustion process called homogenous-charge compression ignition (HCCI). In HCCI engines, a highly compressed mixture of fuel and air ignites from a separate, relatively small spark that uses less fuel than traditional gasoline. In fact, because of the higher level of air used in the HCCI process, SKYACTIV-X® engines increase efficiency by 20% to 30% as compared to traditional gasoline engines. This is similar to the way diesel engines burn, except that SKYACTIV-X® emits fewer particulates than its diesel counterparts, further increasing the positive environmental impact of this technology.

What really sets SKYACTIV-X® apart, however, is that the benefits of HCCI are not just environmental. The compression ignition process also has a positive impact on torque, which increases between 10% to 30%, as well as power, which also increases by 10% as compared to previous SKYACTIV® technology. Mazda engineers achieved this balance by carefully testing a variety of fuel/air mixes along with the shape of engine components, such as the pistons.

What SKYACTIV-X® Really Means for Drivers

SKYACTIV-X® is just one part of the Mazda “well-to-wheel” philosophy regarding sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions. In fact, Mazda has committed to reducing its overall carbon emissions by 90% by 2050 through engine technology as well as re-envisioning every aspect of its manufacturing and shipping processes. Mazda designed the well-to-wheel concept to do more than cut vehicle emissions. It considers all components of a vehicle’s lifespan, such as its manufacturing and shipping processes, as well as the operation of traditional, internal combustion engines. SKYACTIV-X® is an important step in that process.

As a result, drivers of Mazda models with SKYACTIV-X® enjoy clear, quantifiable benefits that include the previously mentioned better performance and fuel economy but also adaptability. Mazda engineers designed SKYACTIV-X® to meet the needs of today’s drivers while also taking the brand into the future. In its current form, SKYACTIV-X® stands alone as a traditional gasoline-powered engine, but its technology can also integrate with traditional and plug-in hybrid models, something that Mazda hopes to explore more in the future.

Experience the Thrill of SKYACTIV-X®

The appeal of Mazda’s SKYACTIV-X® technology goes beyond the statistics; it’s all about the driver’s experience. The combined features of gasoline and diesel-powered technology offer a unique combination of RPM and torque that you have to experience to truly appreciate. Visit DePaula Mazda today to give it a try and experience the thrill of the SKYACTIV-X® engine on a test drive.