  Mazda Skyactiv chassis (top) and rear suspension. Click image to enlarge |
A newly designed six-speed manual transmission optimized for front-engined front-wheel-drive cars will also be smaller and 30 per cent lighter than current transmissions and offer a more precise shift feel that requires less effort. Shift strokes are reduced from 50 mm to 45 mm, comparable to the MX-5 sports car. Marusue claims this manual transmission will have a direct, sporty feel but will also offer the lightest shift effort in its class. Like the automatic transmission, there will be two types: one for engines with up to 200 lb.-ft torque, and a second type for engines with up to 340 lb.-ft.
Mazda’s next generation vehicle bodies will be lighter, more rigid and offer better crash safety performance, according to body engineer, Norihiro Tomita. Key to the improved strength is a continuous ring frame around the cabin which improves bending rigidity by up to 30 per cent. Crash safety will be enhanced by the use of new front door supports, cross-shaped body pillars which absorb more crash energy, and more spot welds and bonding glue where appropriate. A typical unit body will be eight per cent lighter, in part due to the increased use of high tensile steel. And being lighter, the new body will help improve fuel economy.
Suspensions are also being reworked. In front strut/rear multilink suspensions, new suspension geometry includes front caster angles increased from four to seven degrees for increased agility and stability, rearranged rear multi-links and rear trailing arm, and a higher pivot point for the rear traction bars. These help to improve ride quality, cornering feel, high-speed stability and controlled braking. The new suspension design and thinner materials also means a 14 per cent reduction in suspension weight, another contributor to better fuel economy.
Lastly, Mazda has developed an improved electro hydraulic steering system with a shorter steering gear ratio for better steering feel and more driving pleasure.
Individually, none of these advancements is an earth-shattering achievement, but when you put them all together they amount to significant improvements in fuel economy, handling, safety and performance – without the need to develop alternate powertrains or alternate fuels. That’s the real genius of Skyactiv
