2018 Mazda CX-5 gains new engine tech for improved efficiency

Australia’s best-selling mid-size SUV looks to extend its hold on the market, with the Mazda CX-5 adding new technologies to boost performance and improve efficiency across all engine grades.

Mazda has introduced a range of new powertrain technologies to the CX-5 engine lineup to improve real-world combustion, torque and power output.

The latest and most advanced SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine will debut on the Mazda CX-5. It adds a new two-stage twin turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, helping to increase maximum power output from 129kW to 140W and maximum torque from 420Nm to 450Nm.

The engine adopts Rapid Multi-stage Combustion, with a new stepped egg-profile combustion chamber in piston, and ultra-high-response multi-hole piezo injectors. Combined with the benefits of the turbocharger, the engine’s compression ratio increases from 14.0:1 to 14.4:1.

A new water flow management system has also been added, quickening engine warm-up to help achieve better real-world fuel economy.

In another first for Mazda, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5L petrol engine adopts cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel consumption when driving at constant speeds.

The system shuts down cylinders one and four in light-load situations, reducing pumping loss and mechanical resistance. When cruising at 40km/h, real world fuel economy is said to have improved by approximately 20 percent, and by approximately five percent when at a constant 80km/h.

Ever evolving and improving Mazda’s petrol engines, a suite of new technologies have been added to both SKYACTIV-G 2.5L and SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engines to further improve efficiency.

A more rapid combustion is achieved with new and precisely tuned intake ports, generating a stronger tumble flow during intake stroke. Combined with a reshaped piston crown, the result is greater torque at low-to-mid rpm and improved fuel economy at high rpms.

The nozzles of the multi-hole fuel injectors have been redesigned for more efficient fuel injection, increasing pressure from 20MPa to 30MPa to realise a faster and more broadly dispersed spray.

A new Water Flow Management system (WFM) adds a coolant control valve to reduce the flow of coolant around the walls of the combustion chamber, helping reduce heat loss while the engine warms up.

The engines also adopts asymmetrical oil rings, with a larger outer radius at the top and smaller radius at the bottom edge, and revised piston skirt curvature realises an ideal barrel shape. Combined, these changes reduce mechanical resistance, contributing to better fuel economy.

Collectively, the updates to the petrol engine range have accounted for a 1Nm increase in torque for the 2.5L variant, and a 1kW increase in power for the 2.0L variant.

The top of the range Akera will also see added functionality with a 360° view monitor added to its equipment, while the Touring will introduce windscreen Active Driving Display in lieu of the flip-up display on the previous model.

This more advanced CX-5 is also now more affordable, with price drops across the range. The Maxx Sport and Touring variants will retail for $400 less than the previous model, while GT and Akera will retail for $800 less.

There are 12 varieties of the updated Mazda CX-5 on offer, including three Maxx, and three Maxx Sport, and two each of the Touring, GT and Akera grades.

The Mazda CX-5 comes with a choice of SKYACTIV-G 2.0L or SKYACTIV-G 2.5L petrol engines, or SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine, and is available in FWD and AWD drivetrains paired with a 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or a SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission.

The updated Mazda CX-5 is on sale now.

2018 Mazda CX-5 line-up and pricing (excluding on-roads)