Spurred on by the success achieved by Mazda Japan, Bermaz Motor is boldly venturing into the diesel-powered car segment with the introduction of the diesel-powered Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 into our local market.
Bermaz Motor will be introducing its clean diesel powered engines in the form of Mazda CX-5 2.2L SKYACTIV-D (locally assembled in Kulim) and the fully-imported Mazda6 2.2L SKYACTIV-D.
The SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine Mazda6 is priced at RM202,830 OTR without insurance, while the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine CX-5 retails from RM161,529 OTR without insurance. Both are Euro5 compliant. To date there are 235 stations nationwide selling Euro5 diesel.
Both the CX-5 and Mazda6 share the same engine; a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel that is capable of producing 173hp and 420Nm of torque, both linked to a standard 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission with Manual Shift-Mode.
As expected, Mazda’s SkyActiv-D powered cars and crossover models are very efficient and environmentally-friendly. This is a new range of vehicles that comply with strict exhaust gas regulations (including Euro6) without the need for costly NOx (nitrogen oxides) after treatment systems.
The Mazda SKYACTIV-D diesel engines have achieved amazing breakthroughs to resolve long-standing issues such as very inefficient cold-starts. In the process, Mazda have been able to offer smaller, lighter, more powerful engines capable of unheard torque output for the engine sizes.
The biggest problem for a diesel engine has been insufficient heat for complete combustion during cold start, and misfiring during warm up. The conventional solution has been to increase the compression ratio. This, however, results in too high a temperature and pressure, causing incomplete combustion (the formation of NOx and soot). The solution to this has been to delay ignition, which causes fuel economy to worsen.
Mazda’s solution is to precisely control the fuel injection and improve the exhaust valve’s opening and closing mechanism. Multi-hole piezo injectors are used for variable injection patterns. The precision in the amount and timing enables optimum mixture control, thus maximising combustion. A variable valve lift (VVL) system is used for the exhaust valves – a single combustion cycle is sufficient for temperature to rise; exhaust gas is channelled back into the cylinders, to raise temperature further, which improves cold start.
The new-generation diesel engine comes with a 2-stage turbocharger for smooth and linear response from low to high engine speeds, and greatly improved low- and high-end torque. One small turbo and a larger unit are selectively operated to suit driving conditions. The system offers high torque and good response at low speeds, and high power at high speeds, as well as clean burn throughout the entire cycle.
The reduction in compression ratio to 14:1 and pressure has made it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the new engine. It comes with an aluminium cylinder block, lighter cylinder walls, as well as integrated exhaust manifold; the weight of the pistons has been reduced by 25%. There is also a dramatic reduction in friction, to the same level of an average petrol unit. Fuel economy has been improved by 20%.
On top of that, the Mazda CX-5 2.2L and Mazda6 2.2L SKYACTIV-D comes loaded with Mazda’s full suite of i-ACTIVSENSE safety features, including Lane-Departure Warning (Mazda6 only), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).
Besides the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5, Bermaz Motor is planning to bring in the Mazda CX-3 1.5L SKYACTIV-D – in which we had a chance to sample earlier today – into our local market the near future. Stay tuned for our quick review of these diesel models on the AF site coming soon!
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