The New York Auto Show will be a big one for Mazda, as the company prepares 3 big unveiling that will pave the way for the company’s future on the engineering front.

Mazda will show off the Minagi concept for the first time in North America and debut the refreshed 2012 Mazda3 in America (after its unveiling at the Toronto Auto Show in February) complete with Mazda’s all-new SkyActiv engine technology. The SkyActiv 2.0L 4-cylinder hasn’t had power figures announced yet, but reports say that prototypes are putting out around 163 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, while still maintaining 40 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg around town. A 6-speed automatic will also do its part to hit those numbers. With 33% the Mazda3 making up 33% of Mazda’s global sales, the refreshed car is a huge deal for the company, even if it flies under the radar of most North American consumers.

GALLERY: 2012 Mazda3

GALLERY: Mazda Minagi Concept

View video of the 2012 Mazda3 from its debut after the jump:

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Mazda‘s announcement regarding a SKYACTIV diesel engine in future products had car geeks hoping for a diesel Mazda3, but it looks like the oil-burner will actually make an appearance on the mid-size Mazda6, putting it squarely against the updated Volkswagen Passat, which will be available with a TDI diesel engine.

While details on the SKY-D engine have been sparse, the engine will make 182 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, substantially besting the Volkswagen unit’s 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. Although the SKY-D will only be available with a 6-speed automatic, it should be quite the machine on the highway, where the massive torque will allow effortless passing while returning the kind of mileage numbers that only small compacts can hope for.

[Source: Ototrendsinfo.com]

Mazda is betting that their new lineup of SKY direct injection gasoline and diesel engines will help raise the company’s fleet fuel economy by 30% by 2015.

Mazda, which has long refrained from hybrid cars, claims that the next generation 2015 Mazda3 with a SKY-G gasoline engine and a Sky-Drive 6-speed automatic will get 40 mpg on the highway, up from 33 mpg. The Mazda6 will get a SKY-D diesel engine that will get 43 mpg on the highway, a bump from 30 mpg on the current car.

While Mazda said that the first SKY-G powered car will arrive in 2011, they were tight-lipped about what car would receive it. Signs point to the next generation MX-5 as the most likely candidate.

Despite the investment in the SKY powertrains, Mazda said it would introduce a hybrid in the near future, with technology licensed from Toyota. “We have a plan to introduce [the technology] gradually, starting from simple devices,” Seita Kanai, director of r&d for Mazda Motor Corp. told Automotive News. ”The more complex a device is, the more costly it becomes.”

[Source: Automotive News]

Mazda announced it will introduce its next generation Sky powertrain in North America in 2011.

The gasoline-based Sky-G engine and Sky-Drive automatic transmission system will make their way into production models in 2011 while the diesel-based Sky-D engine (pictured above) will reach North America in 2012.

The Sky powertrain concept is part of Mazda’s goal of improving fuel efficiency by 30% by 2015.

The Sky-G will have 15% better fuel efficiency than current engines. The Sky-D will see a 20% improvement as well as having improved torque.

Mazda says the six-speed Sky-Drive transmission will improve fuel efficiency by another 5% while offering the performance of a dual-clutch transmission.

Gallery: Mazda Sky Powertrain Concept

Mazda is looking to return to its roots when the next generation MX-5 Miata debuts. According to a report by InsideLine, the car will take inspiration from the MX-5 Superlight Concept and weigh just 2,200 lbs. Mazda has already announced that starting in 2011 it aims to cut the curb weight on all of its new models by at least 220 lbs.

Even more impressive is that it is expected to use the company’s new SKY-G engine, which Mazda debuted recently at the Tokyo Auto Show. Displacing just 1.3-liters, this 4-cylinder isn’t a hybrid or a diesel, but reportedly makes as much as 150-hp and can get anywhere from 50-mpg to 70-mpg!

Mazda has yet to reveal how it managed to get such a high fuel economy number out of this setup, but InsideLine is reporting that industry juggernaut Toyota is impressed and interested in the technology.

Recently Mazda did show a hybrid version of the SKY-G engine in its Kiyora Concept which debuted at the Tokyo Auto Show. Powered by the same 1.3-liter version of Mazda’s new SKY-G engine combined with a six-speed Sky-Drive automatic transmission, Mazda’s i-stop start/stop system and regenerative braking, Mazda says it can achieve 75 mpg.

[Source: InsideLine]

Just after publishing an article on Mazda’s new SKY engines, which are set to debut at the Tokyo Auto Show in October, Mazda sent us a press release on the Kiyora Concept car.

This new vehicle, which is set to debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, is powered by a 1.3-liter version of Mazda’s new SKY-G engine combined with a six-speed Sky-Drive automatic transmission. With a light-weight body as well as Mazda’s i-stop start/stop system, regenerative braking and an aerodynamic body that is 220 lbs lighter than any body in the compact car segment, the Kiyora Concept gets an incredible 75 mpg.

The Kiyora Concept and the SKY engines and transmissions embody Mazda’s environmentally responsible commitment to ensure an “everlasting blue sky,” while keeping with the company’s focus on driving enjoyment and the “sky’s the limit” philosophy of the company’s engineering department.

For more on Mazda’s new, fuel-efficient and more powerful engines and transmissions, which will debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, see our article here:

Report: Mazda Previews New, More Powerful and Fuel Efficient Sky Engines

GALLERY: Mazda Kiyora Concept

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

Mazda Global Premiere of Eco-Friendly and Powerful Next Generation ‘SKY-G’ and ‘SKY-D’ Engines at Tokyo Motor Show 2009

- Mazda Kiyora concept car, which achieves 32 kilometers per liter fuel economy, to make its Japan debut -

HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of its next-generation engine lineup and automatic transmissions at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, to be held from Saturday, October 24 through Wednesday, November 4, 2009. Mazda will exhibit the ‘Mazda SKY-G’ direct injection gasoline engine, the ‘Mazda SKY-D’ clean diesel engine and the ‘Mazda SKY Drive’ high-efficiency automatic transmission. The Tokyo Motor Show, to be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, will also mark the Japan debut of the Kiyora concept car as an exhibit of Mazda’s next-generation environmental and safety technologies.

Mazda’s theme for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is “The Mazda SKY concept-Providing driving pleasure and environmental and safety features for all customers!” Under the headings of “Today,” “Tomorrow” and “The Future,” Mazda will display advanced technologies designed to improve the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally 30 percent by 2015 compared to 2008 levels. This is one of the goals of Mazda’s long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.

Mazda is committed to significantly improving the core aspects of its vehicles that affect performance – engines, transmissions, and lighter vehicle weight – in order to achieve elevated driving pleasure together with outstanding environmental and safety features. The Mazda SKY concept defines Mazda’s approach to developing next-generation powertrains that will significantly improve the eco-friendliness and dynamic performance of all Mazda vehicles. The SKY concept embodies Mazda’s desire to ensure an “everlasting blue sky” under which drivers will always be able to enjoy the fun-to-drive pleasure afforded by owning a Mazda. The concept also reflects the “sky’s the limit” aspirations of Mazda’s engineers as they employ unconventional thinking to achieve optimal performance in every vehicle that bears the Mazda nameplate.

Based on the SKY concept, Mazda’s “Technologies for Tomorrow” display at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show will include the next-generation direct injection gasoline Mazda SKY-G engine and the Mazda SKY-D clean diesel engine. Both offer improved eco-friendliness and torque thanks to optimized combustion efficiency. Mazda will also reveal the first next-generation automatic transmission, the Mazda SKY-Drive, which offers first-rate fuel economy and a direct driving performance feel.

The Mazda Kiyora, a next-generation compact concept car imbued with Mazda’s fun-to-drive character, will make its Japanese debut at the Tokyo show. Featuring the next-generation Mazda SKY concept powertrain technologies and comprehensive advancements in weight reduction, the Kiyora achieves outstanding fuel economy of 32 kilometers per liter (under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle).

Alongside the SKY concept exhibits, Mazda will also feature a “Today’s Technologies” exhibit that includes i-stop, a unique idling stop system that was introduced with the all-new Mazda Axela (known as the Mazda3 overseas). “Future Technologies” will showcase the advanced Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, with its hydrogen-powered rotary engine, and various vehicle technologies under development as part of Mazda’s drive to realize an accident-free and safe motorized society.

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show press days will be October 21-22, with a special invitation day on October 23. The show will be open to the public from Saturday, October 24 through Wednesday, November 4. Mazda will hold its press conference at 12:30 p.m. (JST) on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

List of major exhibits

A total of 19 vehicles will be displayed for the public days (12 vehicles will be displayed during the press day on October 21, 2009).

Summary of major exhibits
Mazda Kiyora

The Mazda Kiyora is a compact concept car that is both extremely eco-friendly and fun-to-drive due to the combination of Mazda’s next-generation direct injection Mazda SKY-G 1.3 engine and new compact and lightweight six-speed Mazda SKY-Drive automatic transmission. The Kiyora achieves excellent fuel economy figures of 32 kilometers per liter (under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle) aided by Mazda’s unique i-stop idling stop system, regenerative braking, and advanced aerodynamics around a compact body that is 100 kilograms lighter than Mazda’s current mass production model in the same segment.

Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

In March 2009, Mazda began leasing the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to Japanese government authorities and energy-related organizations. It features a unique series hybrid system, consisting of a hydrogen rotary engine connected to a generator that powers an electric motor. This advanced powertrain enables the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to achieve a hydrogen-fueled driving range of 200 kilometers. The vehicle also employs Mazda’s plant-derived Biotechmaterials^*, reflecting initiatives to realize use of non-petroleum-based resources and reduce CO2 emissions.

Next-generation direct injection Mazda SKY-G gasoline engine

Mazda SKY-G is a next-generation direct injection gasoline engine with significantly improved fuel economy and output performance due to enhanced thermal efficiency. The engine block is newly designed to reduce mechanical friction and achieve an optimal air-fuel mix, and a direct fuel injection system is employed due to the wide variety of spray profiles that are possible, enabling the maximum expansion ratio to be achieved. Specifically, fuel economy and torque are improved by approximately 15 percent compared to Mazda’s current 2.0-liter engine. This was achieved by adopting next-generation fuel injectors and a highly functional variable valve timing mechanism. The engine enables fuel economy equivalent to the current Mazda Demio (known as the Mazda2 overseas) to be achieved in a vehicle the size of a Mazda Axela (Mazda3).

Next-generation clean diesel Mazda SKY-D engine

Mazda’s new SKY-D clean diesel engine boasts high fuel economy and output performance as well as low exhaust emissions. The newly designed engine block reduces mechanical friction to the level of a gasoline engine. By optimizing the pressure and temperature in the cylinders, the shape of combustion chambers, and the fuel injection rate, combustion begins at the best timing in terms of thermal efficiency. Specifically, by employing piezo injectors, a two-stage turbocharger and other technologies, fuel economy becomes approximately 20 percent better than the current 2.2-liter diesel engine. Mazda has achieved fuel economy equivalent to the current Mazda Demio (known overseas as the Mazda2) in a vehicle the size of a Mazda Atenza (Mazda6).

Next-generation Mazda SKY-Drive automatic transmission

Mazda’s next-generation SKY-Drive automatic transmission is highly efficient, contributing to substantially improved fuel economy and a more direct feel compared with the current unit. It improves fuel economy by approximately five percent, due to a complete redesign that significantly reduces mechanical friction, a revised torque converter and clutch with minimized slip, and an optimized lock-up mechanism. A rapid clutch action was achieved by identifying the minimum amount of fluid necessary. This also helped to realize a direct feel similar to a dual clutch transmission.

Ahead of their official debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, Mazda has decided to give us just a small preview of what the company’s vehicles could be powered by in the near future. Both a new gasoline and diesel engine have been announced, as well as a new transmission, all under the catchy SKY brand.

First up is a new SKY-G 2.0-liter motor, that uses direct injection to improve both torque and fuel-economy by roughly 15 percent. Mazda hasn’t officially said anything about producing the motor or what car it will find its way in to, but we’d expect to find it in the Mazda3, replacing the top-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder, making roughly the same horsepower (around 170), while getting fuel-economy closer to the base 2.0-liter’s 24/33 mpg rating.

A new SKY-DRIVE transmission will also be available, which Mazda says will help improve fuel-economy by five percent. Unfortunately, this is not a fancy dual-clutch tranny, but Mazda does say it will be faster with more engaging shifts. Still being rather secretive, Mazda has not said how many gears there will be, but we suspect the improvement in fuel economy is due to the addition of a sixth gear.

Finally, Mazda unveiled a new SKY-D diesel motor, which we can be quite certain won’t make its way to North America. It uses a two-stage turbocharger with piezo injectors and some modifications of the engine structure to deliver a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy over the current 2.2-liter diesel.

We’ll be sure to bring you updates on all of these new drivetrain options when Mazda officially unveils them at the Tokyo Auto Show on October 21st.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]