Mazda to Premiere New Direct-Injection Gasoline and Clean Diesel Engines, and Automatic at 2009 Tokyo Show

At next month's 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda will perform the world premiere of its next-generation engine lineup and automatic transmissions that are due to find their way on the firm's production models in the next year or so. Starting with the SKY-G, this gasoline unit features a brand-new engine block designed to reduce mechanical friction and achieve an optimal air-fuel mix, and a direct fuel injection system. Details are still scarce but the Japanese firm claims fuel economy and torque are improved by around 15 percent compared to Mazda's current 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

Mazda said that the new SKY-G gasoline engine enables fuel economy equivalent to the current Demio (Mazda2 in markets outside Japan) to be achieved in a vehicle the size of a Mazda Axela, which most us know as the Mazda3.

Next up is the next-generation SKY-D clean diesel engine that offers a high output with reduced fuel economy and low exhaust emissions. The Japanese company says that SKY-D's newly designed engine block reduces mechanical friction to the level of a gasoline engine.

This particular unit also employs piezo injectors, a two-stage turbocharger and other technologies to deliver 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy over the firm's current 2.2-liter diesel engine. With this engine, Mazda says that a vehicle the size of a Atenza (Mazda6) can achieve a fuel economy equivalent to the current Mazda Demio (Mazda2).

Finally, the Japanese maker plans to showcase its newly developed SKY-Drive automatic transmission that contributes to improved fuel economy by approximately five percent compared with the current unit as well as a more direct feel "similar to a dual clutch transmission".

Alongside the new engines and auto gearbox, Mazda's Tokyo Show stand will also host the Japanese premiere of the Kiyora concept city car.