Skyactiv (styled SKYACTIV) is a brand name for a series of automobile technologies developed by Mazda to increase fuel efficiency and engine output. The initial announcement of the Skyactiv technologies included new engines, but has grown to include transmissions, as well as complete , which have appeared in Mazda vehicles from 2011 onwards.
The Mazda Sky concept
The precursor of Skyactiv, which featured a Mazda Sky-G 2.3-liter gasoline direct injection engine, a Mazda Sky-D 2.2-liter diesel engine, a Sky-Drive automatic transmission, a
Mazda Kiyora with Sky-G 1.3 engine and Sky-Drive automatic transmission, was unveiled at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2008.
The Skyactiv concept features a revised suspension geometry, improved automatic and manual transmission, and various improvements to Mazda's L- engine such as direct injection, upgraded exhaust manifold, increased compression ratio for cleaner burn and higher thermal efficiency, among other improvements. Mazda's previous chassis for the Mazda3 and Mazda6 were carried over to the new vehicles.
Skyactiv-G
The
Skyactiv-G is a family of
(the "G" suffix indicates gasoline) featuring gasoline direct injection and high compression ratios. Engines in the family have a compression ratio of up to 14:1, except in the United States where it is 13:1 to allow the use of regular gasoline; the lower compression reduces torque and fuel economy by 3 to 5 percent.
To suppress engine knock at high compression, residual gas is reduced using a 4-2-1 exhaust system, optimized piston cavities, and fuel injection control. Combustion duration is shortened by increasing airflow, raising injection pressure, and using multi-hole injectors.
Skyactiv-G engines use all-aluminum construction with chain-driven dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, and meet U.S. ULEV emission standards.
1.3 L
The
Skyactiv-G 1.3 (engine code
P3-VPS) is a naturally aspirated, inline-four engine with a bore and a stroke. It was unveiled at the 2011 Automotive Engineering Exposition.
Five Mazda engineers were awarded the 2011 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal on 20 April 2012 for their work on this engine.
It was first used in the Mazda Demio/Mazda2, the only Skyactiv engine paired with a CVT.
Applications:
-
2011–present Mazda2/Mazda Demio
1.5 L
The
Skyactiv-G 1.5 (engine codes
P5-VP (RS) for RWD and
P5 VPS F-P5 for FWD) is a naturally aspirated inline-four with a bore and stroke. Introduced in the 2014 Mazda3 for Asian and European markets, it produces of power at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine significantly improved performance and fuel economy compared with the previous MZR 1.5 engine.
Applications:
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2014–present Mazda Axela/Mazda3
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2014–present Mazda Demio/Mazda2
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2016–present Mazda Roadster/MX-5
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2016–present Mazda2/Mazda Demio/Scion iA/Toyota Yaris iA/Toyota Yaris
-
2020–present Mazda CX-3
2.0 L
The
Skyactiv-G 2.0 (engine code
PE-VPS) is a naturally aspirated inline-four engine. It has an bore and a stroke.
In the United States, the engine has a 13:1 compression ratio that produces of power at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,600 rpm.
Compared with the previous engine in the 2011 Mazda3 (with an automatic transmission), fuel economy improved from in city driving, and from on the highway.
Applications:
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2012–present Mazda Axela/Mazda3
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2013–2025 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6
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2013–present Mazda CX-5
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2013–2018 Mazda Biante
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2013–2015 Mazda Premacy/Mazda5
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2015–present Mazda CX-3
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2016–present Mazda Roadster/MX-5
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2016–2024 Mazda CX-4 (China)
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2019–present Mazda CX-30
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2023–present Mazda CX-50 (China)
-
2024–present Mazda2/Mazda Demio
2.5 L
The
Skyactiv-G 2.5 (engine code
PY-VPS) is a naturally aspirated inline-four engine introduced in the 2013 Mazda 6. It has an bore and a stroke.
In the United States, the 13:1 compression version produces of power at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The engine is also used on Mazda's plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, where it is marketed as the e-Skyactiv PHEV, and paired with an electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission. In the CX-60, it works with a electric motor and a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined and .
Applications:
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2013–2025 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6
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2013–present Mazda CX-5
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2014–present Mazda Axela/Mazda3
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2016–2025 Mazda CX-4
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2020–present Mazda CX-30
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2022–present Mazda CX-60
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2022–present Mazda CX-60 PHEV
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2023–present Mazda CX-50
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2023–present Mazda CX-90 PHEV
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2024–present Mazda CX-70 PHEV
-
2024–present Mazda CX-80 PHEV
2.5 L Turbo
The turbocharged version of the Skyactiv-G 2.5 (engine code
PY-VPTS) has a 10.5:1 compression ratio.
On premium fuel it produces of power at 5,000 rpm and of torque at 2,500 rpm, while on regular fuel output is reduced to at 5,000 rpm and at 2,000 rpm.
Maximum boost pressure is . To reduce
turbo lag, the engine uses specially designed exhaust passages and
that route gases through smaller orifices at low rpm, allowing the turbocharger to spool more quickly. It also employs a unique 4-2-1 exhaust manifold to improve exhaust scavenging and a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system, both designed to reduce combustion chamber temperatures and allow for increased boost with better fuel economy.
configuration varies by application: the CX-5 and CX-9 use an air-to-air intercooler, while the Mazda3 and CX-30 use an air-to-liquid intercooler integrated into the intake manifold to save space.
Applications:
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2016–2024 Mazda CX-9
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2018–present Mazda CX-8
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2018–2021 Mazda6
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2019–2025 Mazda CX-5
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2021–present Mazda3
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2021–present Mazda CX-30
-
2023–present Mazda CX-50
3.3 L
The
Skyactiv-G 3.3 (engine code
H3T) is a longitudinal turbocharged inline-six gasoline engine introduced in the 2023 Mazda CX-90. It has an bore and a stroke. It has a 12:1 compression ratio.
The engine is offered in two versions. The lower-output version produces of power and of torque. The higher-output version produces and on premium fuel, or on regular.
Applications:
-
2022–present Mazda CX-60
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2023–present Mazda CX-90
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2024–present Mazda CX-70
-
2024–present Mazda CX-80
Skyactiv-X
Skyactiv-X is the first commercial gasoline engine to use homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), in which the fuel-air mixture ignites spontaneously when compressed by a smaller, separately ignited charge of fuel. This allows it to reach a compression ratio of 16:1, an improvement over the 14:1 ratio of the Skyactiv-G. The engine can operate much leaner than a conventional spark ignition engine, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
This engine targets 20-30% greater fuel efficiency by utilising HCCI technology. In order to handle ignition problems caused by compression ignition, each cylinder also incorporates a spark plug featuring Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) technology.
SPCCI works by drawing in a lean, homogeneous air-fuel mixture, it then compresses the mixture until it approaches the point at which it would spontaneously detonate. A second injector then adds a secondary charge of fuel directly on the spark plug. This secondary charge is ignited by the spark plug, causing the cylinder pressure to very quickly rise to a point where the rest of the fuel undergoes compression ignition. The presence of the spark plug allows the engine to also operate as a spark-ignition engine under some operating conditions, such as high-speed high-load situations. Revealed June 5, 2019, the output is and .
Mazda is developing an inline-six variant of the Skyactiv-X, with displacements of 3.0 and 3.3 liters and a rear-wheel-drive layout. It was believed that production of the new engine would begin in 2022 with the Mazda CX-60. However, according to Road & Track magazine, in the March 2022 edition of Autocar magazine Mazda Europe's Development & Engineering Senior Manager Joachim Kunz stated that there were no plans for a Mazda rear drive sedan, since Mazda was prioritizing SUV sales.
2.0 L
Applications:
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2019–present Mazda3
-
2019–present Mazda CX-30
Skyactiv-D
Skyactiv-D is a family of turbocharged diesel engines, designed to comply with global emissions regulations.
To eliminate the need of NOx and particulate treatment in contemporary diesel engines, the cylinder compression ratio is reduced to 14.0:1. Cold engine start is achieved via multi-hole piezo injectors with 3 programmable injection patterns, and adoption of ceramic glow plugs. Engine misfiring is prevented via variable valve lift at exhaust, which opens exhaust valves during the intake stroke, which in turn increases engine air temperature. The Skyactiv-D also uses a two-stage turbocharger, in which one small and one large turbo are selectively operated, according to driving conditions.
1.5 L
The Skyactiv-D 1.5
(S5-DPTS/S5-DPTR) is a engine first introduced in the fourth generation Mazda Demio/Mazda2. It features a compression ratio of 14:1.
SKYACTIV-D 1.5
Applications:
-
2014–present Mazda Demio/Mazda2
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2014–2018 Mazda Axela/Mazda3
-
2015–2018 Mazda CX-3
1.8 L
The Skyactiv-D 1.8
(S8-DPTS/S8-DPTR) is a that was introduced in the 2018 facelifted Mazda CX-3.
SKYACTIV-D 1.8
Applications:
-
2018–present Mazda CX-3
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2019–present Mazda3
-
2019–present Mazda CX-30
2.2 L
The Skyactiv-D 2.2
(SH-VPTS/SH-VPTR) is a engine that was the first Skyactiv-D engine used in production vehicles. It was first used in the Mazda CX-5.
In the Mazda6, it produces and .
An upgraded version of the Skyactiv-D was run in the 2013 Rolex Sports Car Series season and helped Mazda win the GX manufacturer's championship. The engine is slated to be used again in two Lola LMP2s in the United SportsCar Series.
Applications:
-
2012–present Mazda CX-5
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2012–present Mazda6
-
2013–2018 Mazda3
-
2017–present Mazda CX-8
3.3 L
The Skyactiv-D 3.3 is a longitudinally positioned, inline-six engine that was introduced in the Mazda CX-60 in 2022.
Applications:
-
2022–present Mazda CX-60
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2024–present Mazda CX-80
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2023–present Mazda CX-90
Unique technology
The Skyactiv-D is the first low compression diesel in a production car, having a significantly lower compression in the first generation of 14:1 rather than typical compression ratios of 16:1 and beyond.
Numerous university studies have investigated the benefits of low compression diesel for decades, with the major benefit, noted in single cylinder university tests, being a drastic reduction in NOx emissions while also reducing particulate matter and combustion noise.
These studies all concluded that while there were noticeable reductions in emissions, this came at the expense of difficult cold starts. Mazda resolved this in the Skyactiv-D by using piezoelectric fuel injectors with multiple nozzles that change their pattern depending on operating conditions. Furthermore, exhaust valves are left slightly open as the engine starts, causing exhaust gases to be sucked into the cylinders and help the engine warm up quickly.
Early issues
The CX-5 with Skyactiv-D engines were reported to have oil levels rising earlier than expected upon release, which required owners to check the vehicle's engine oil every 1000 kilometres or every month and return to the dealer if the oil appeared over the level of the dipstick.
This procedure was initiated by Mazda worldwide as a precaution. Mazda resolved the issue in the first few months of the engine's availability via a software revision and a new dipstick with a corrected level.
This was later found out to be false, the core issue being the injector seals – the method Mazda employed to secure these did not result in sufficient clamping force whenever a low-temperature Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration cycle was triggered, leading to exhaust leaking into the valvecover and contaminating the oil. In addition, it also overpressurized the engine block resulting in high volumes of unmetered fuel/oil mixture re-entering the combustion chamber.
The end result was either a clogged oil pickup resulting in engine failure, or a very costly feedback loop of extreme cylinder pressures, clogged up intake manifold, ash filled particulate filter, the exhaust- and intake manifold pressure sensors, and a skyrocketing fuel consumption due to near constant regeneration cycles.
Mazda officially refuses to acknowledge this, except for the Australian market,
Emission standards and tests
At launch in 2012, Mazda claimed the Skyactiv-D engine would only comply with Euro 5 emission standards (NOx of 0.18 g/km), and further work was required to achieve stricter emission standards.
In the aftermath of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the Japanese government performed testing of all diesel engines produced in Japan to ensure Japanese manufacturers were not falsifying emissions as had been done by Volkswagen. It was determined that the Skyactiv-D engine was the only engine which tested at or near the standard.
Achieving US EPA emission standards
At the 2019 New York Motor show, Mazda announced that it would commence pre-sales of the 2019 CX-5 with the Skyactiv-D 2.2L engine.
Changes required to achieve the US EPA emissions standards, however, resulted in significant performance and economy penalties when compared with the Euro 5 compliant engine, as illustrated below.
The Euro stage V compliant Australian Skyactiv-D 2.2L has the following specifications:
-
Power: @ 4,500 rpm
-
Torque: @ 2,000 rpm
-
Fuel consumption (Australian ADR 81/02)
-
Combined 5.7 L/100 km (41.3 mpg)
-
City 6.5 L/100 km (36.2 mpg)
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Highway 5.2 L/100 km (45.2 mpg)
The US EPA compliant US Skyactiv-D 2.2l has the following specifications:
-
Power: @ 4,000 rpm
-
Torque: @ 2,000 rpm
-
EPA Estimated fuel economy:
Recall
In September 2016, Mazda recalled 130,000 vehicles in Japan over a defect that could lead to diesel engine failure.
Although most problems were fixed later on, the 2.2 suffered from bad carbon build up that would block the intake manifold. Other faults include a turbo diversion valve failure that required replacement of the complete twin turbo unit.
Mazda recalled the 2012 to 2018 model year diesel Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and CX-5 because of a build-up of carbon deposits.
Skyactiv-Hybrid
The Skyactiv-Hybrid technology is an electric hybrid engine technology using Skyactiv-G engine with technology from Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, originally licensed for use with the Sky engine for vehicles sold in 2013.
The first retail Mazda Skyactiv-Hybrid vehicle, a Mazda3 Skyactiv-Hybrid with Skyactiv-G 2.0 engine with 14:1 compression, was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
Skyactiv-CNG
The Skyactiv-CNG engine is powered by compressed natural gas. The first retail Mazda Skyactiv-CNG prototype vehicle, a Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG Concept, was unveiled in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
Skyactiv-R
The Skyactiv-R engine is Mazda's new generation
Wankel engine.
The Mazda RX-Vision Concept, powered by a Skyactiv-R rotary engine, was unveiled in 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
In 2023, Mazda unveiled the first production version of this generation of rotary engines. Used in the Mazda MX-30 R-EV, the engine provides at 4500rpm and has a displacement of 830 cc in a single-rotor design.
e-Skyactiv
e-Skyactiv is the battery-electric powertrain.
Applications:
e-Skyactiv-G
e-Skyactiv-G is the first Mild Hybrid powertrain.
Applications:
-
2019–present Mazda3
-
2019–present Mazda CX-30
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2023 - present Mazda CX-5
Skyactiv-Z
The Skyactiv-Z engine was developed to replace the Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X engines. It is a hybrid 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine designed to meet stringent emission standards, including Euro 7 and North America's LEV4 and Tier 4 regulations. The engine aims to deliver improved fuel efficiency and enhanced performance, while maintaining affordability for mass-market vehicles.
Engine Type: 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline hybrid
Emission Standards: Euro 7, LEV4, Tier 4
Performance Goals: Improved fuel efficiency, enhanced driving performance
Applications:
Skyactiv-Drive
Skyactiv-Drive is a family of automatic transmissions named SKY-Drive. Mazda rejected dual-clutch technology in automatic transmissions because the dual-clutch behavior in certain situations was sub-optimal.
Instead, Mazda chose to re-design the conventional automatic transmission, making the
torque converter take less duty while a multi-plate clutch disengages the torque converter most of the time. The new Skyactiv automatic transmission is designed to have six or eight gears forward, one reverse gear, a short torque converter, and a clutch integrated with the torque converter.
Skyactiv-MT
Skyactiv-MT is a family of manual transmissions. To achieve lighter shift effort with a short shift lever stroke, the lever ratio is increased. However, to overcome the shorter internal stroke, a small module spline is used. Shift throws are reduced by 15 percent, making it the shortest shifting of any passenger car.
To reduce weight, the triple-shafted gear train is designed with the reverse and first gears on the same shaft, and uses a shorter secondary shaft.
Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture
The
Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture is a
car platform that supports both front-wheel drive models with a transverse engine layout (under the Small Product Group) and rear-wheel drive cars with a longitudinal engine layout (under the Large Product Group).
Small Product Group
The
Small Product Group underpins front-wheel drive and
all-wheel drive vehicles with a transverse engine layout.
Applications:
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2019–present Mazda3
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2019–present Mazda CX-30
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2020–present Mazda MX-30
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2022–present Mazda CX-50
Large Product Group
The
Large Product Group underpins
rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles with a longitudinal engine layout.
Applications:
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2022–present Mazda CX-60
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2023–present Mazda CX-90
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2024–present Mazda CX-70
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2024–present Mazda CX-80
External links
