| Mazda is known for its use of rotary engines on their | | | | System that was developed for the said engine. Fuel |
| production vehicles. They have gained a lot of | | | | efficiency is given a boost on cruising and |
| success both in the racing world as well as in the | | | | acceleration. The fuel efficiency of the engine is |
| global auto market due to their advancements in the | | | | complemented by the fuel saving ability of the CVT. |
| development of the Wankel engine. Recently, the | | | | The continuously variable transmission not only offers |
| Japanese car manufacturer succeeded in developing a | | | | good fuel economy but also smooth gear changes |
| naturally-aspirated Miler-cycle engine. | | | | which makes a ride on a Mazda2 equipped with this |
| The new MZR 1.3-liter Miller-cycle engine will be used | | | | auto part quite comfortable. |
| by Mazda to power the new Mazda2 vehicle model. | | | | Aside from giving the Mazda2 a new engine and the |
| The 2008 model year version of the Mazda2 will be | | | | company’s first CVT, it is also made lighter |
| released by July this year. The Miller-cycle engine will | | | | compared to its predecessors. The new Mazda2 is |
| be mated with Mazda’s first CVT or continuously | | | | 100 kilograms lighter than the current Mazda2 - or the |
| variable transmission. | | | | Demio as it is called in Japan. The lighter Mazda2 |
| The engine and the new transmission will help the | | | | means that it handles better than its predecessor. |
| Mazda2 reduce its fuel consumption by as much as | | | | The lighter weight also means less power that it |
| 20 percent compared to the current Mazda2. | | | | needs to power it forward. That translates to more |
| Currently, the Mazda2 has a gas mileage rating of | | | | fuel savings. |
| 19.2 kilometers per liter of gasoline. With the new | | | | The combination of the engine and the continuously |
| naturally-aspirated Miller-cycle engine, the Mazda2 can | | | | variable transmission also makes the car an |
| cover 23 kilometers on a single liter of gasoline. That | | | | environment-friendly one. According to tests |
| can be achieved even without the help of | | | | conducted on the new Mazda2, greenhouse gas |
| aftermarket parts like the Airaid cold air intake | | | | emission is 75 percent lower than the set standard. |
| system. | | | | The exhaust emission of the Mazda2 makes it meet |
| The Miller-cycle engine uses a “fifth” cycle to | | | | Japan’s Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle |
| reduce the power loss in the compression stroke of | | | | standard. That means that the car qualifies for the |
| the engine. This is done by opening the intake valve | | | | Green Tax exemptions which are a tax incentive for |
| longer while a supercharger provides low | | | | those who will purchase proven environment-friendly |
| compression. The disadvantage, of course, is that the | | | | vehicles. |
| supercharger gets its power from the engine thereby | | | | The development of the naturally-aspirated |
| deducting a certain portion of its power output. With | | | | Miller-cycle engine is part of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom |
| the naturally-aspirated Miller-cycle engine, the use of | | | | plan. Through the strategy, Mazda aims to combine |
| supercharger is eliminated while still providing a good | | | | driving pleasure with environmental and safety |
| power output. | | | | features, just like what the company did with the |
| The opening and closing of Mazda’s Miller-cycle | | | | new Mazda2. |
| engine is facilitated by the Sequential Valve Timing | | | | |