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Mazda and Audi – A Match Made in Heaven?

There have been rumors abound lately about a possible revival of the RX-7 and other rumors about the possible end of the rotary engine altogether, but the latest word on the street is about a possible collaboration between Mazda and Audi that just may be the savior for the rotary engine.

With the RX-8 soon to be discontinued and mixed signals from Mazda on a possible RX-9 modeled after the RX-7, the fate of the rotary engine is in the minds of many Mazda enthusiasts. The Wankel has been a signature in the Mazda lineup since 1964 when it was first showcased in the Cosmo R100 coupe.

Now there’s talk of Audi teaming up with Mazda for the next chapter of the rotary engine car by developing a rotary for the Audi A1 e-tron, Lexus’s attempt at the nearly all-electric compact with a range extender that currently uses a single-piston rotary engine to charge the batteries as the car is running.

Inside Line recently reported that sources inside Mazda say engineers are already developing new technology for the Wankel by potentially removing the conventional spark plugs and replacing them with a laser ignition. By doing this, the engine will be much more efficient and will produce less hydrocarbon emissions than the older version. The car will produce only 130g/km or carbon dioxide rather than the 299g/kg that is currently produced by the RX-8. Reports on this development are also followed by reports that a launch of the new rotary has not been green-lighted and the Mazda is seeking additional funding.

So Audi provides the influx of cash and Mazda provides the technology to put a Wankel range-extender underneath the trunk floor of the A1 e-tron. It sounds like a win-win on the surface, but talk is cheap and a Mazda-Audi partnership seems like an odd couple in the making.

Gwynne-

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Is Your Car a Pinup?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and CorkSport agrees. That is why we would like to invite our community of Mazda enthusiasts with current CorkSport mods to submit a photo collection for our 2012 CorkSport calendar!

CorkSport Mazdaspeed 3

Show off your ride by submitting your photos for consideration before August 31, 2011 and be sure to include:

• 3 professional style photos of your ride
• A minimum of 300 dpi for good print quality
• A list of modifications
• You must have permission to use the photo and you must grant CorkSport permission to use the photo in print and on the web.
• If possible, please remove the license plates for the photos or avoid shots that include the plate numbers. If it is unavoidable, you can either remove them digitally, or we can attempt to blur them out.
• This calendar will be used to promote the CorkSport brand. If your photo is selected, a complimentary calendar will be mailed to you upon release.

Submissions or questions can be sent to Dustin at the following link

Gwynne-

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More on SKYACTIV Technology with the SKYACTIV-Drive Automatic Transmission

We recently gave you the lowdown on the new SKYACTIV engine, today, let’s discuss transmissions! In a recent post on Mazda Motor Europe, Toshiyuki Kikuchi, Program Manager in the Powertrain Development Division at Mazda provided additional details about the new automatic transmission.

Mazda SkyACTIVE-Drive Transmission

The SKYACTIV-Drive combines the benefits of conventional automatics with those offered by continuously variable (CVTs) and dual clutch transmissions. The transmission has been developed with a six speed torque converter that has a full range lock-up clutch for all six gears called “full range direct drive”. The lock-up clutch ratio has been raised from 64% at the current 5-speed to 89% during vehicle operation.

This feature inhibits the loss of power often experienced during acceleration and delivers a more controlled driving feel. On the flip side, it is said to increase the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) because there is nothing to absorb the rotational speeds of the engine transmission. Mazda has addressed this issue by adapting a new torque converter and installing a new damper to better absorb the NVH as well as a multi-disk lock-up clutch and its piston to improve clutch durability and control.

Mazda SkyACTIVE-Drive New Technologies

The new design will allow the transmission shifts quickly and smoothly, react dynamically to changes to the engine load right from low speeds, and raises the bar when it comes to fuel economy.

The new SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission promises to produce a green range of models within the next two years that will boast lower CO2 emissions and even lower fuel returns, without the need for alternative split/drive systems.

The 2012 Mazda 3 will feature the all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine and a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda says the new 2.0 liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 hp and 148 lb feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter engine.

2012 Mazda 3

See Toshiyuki Kikuchi’s technical explanation for the SKYACTIV-Drive on YouTube:

Gwynne-

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Twin Turbo Mazda What!?!

That’s right folks, Mazda is going to release a new twin turbo model and it is going to be used in none other than: a diesel Mazda 3!

Before everyone heads out to get the ropes to hang me for luring you into this blog post with the promise of twin turbos, let me explain. Mazda has been working to lower emissions while improving the performance of their motors for both gas and diesel. One such way Mazda has found is to run a really small turbo and a larger turbo in tandem to keep the performance linear in the diesel engines.

Mazda has been down this path before back in the late 80’s and early 90’s with two versions of the rotary engine, the 13B –RE used in the Eunos Cosmo and the 13B-REW used in the FD RX-7. Both 13B engines used a pair of turbos, a primary turbo that would spool until the RPM reached the switch-over point when the secondary turbo would come online to generate an ideal turbo response and wide enough power band for the car. This same feature will be applied with the diesel engine giving you a wider power band to drive with.

Mazda Sky-D Twin Turbos

Mazda has also lowered the compression of the diesel engine allowing the combustion to be more complete and putting less stress on the engine parts. This gives Mazda the ability to use lighter weight smaller parts to gain efficiency and provide better emissions.

The really trick feature Mazda has put on the diesel engine is variable valve timing. This allows the exhaust valves to open slightly after the initial startup to let exhaust gas into the combustion chamber on the intake stroke. The exhaust gas then warms the combustion chamber to help the engine get to operating temperature more quickly thereby reducing the chance of engine misfire.

Mazda Sky-D Twin Turbos

Mazda has stated that the engine has 20% better fuel economy over the outgoing MZR-CD diesel engines putting it at 48 MPG (the MZR-CD engine gets 40 MPG).

Now the big question is would I own a new Mazda with the new Sky-D engine? With all of the work Mazda has put into the new engine, I look forward to trying one out and will wait to pass judgment.

For more information head to the technical information Mazda has made public on their webpage

– Derrick

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CorkSport Officially Adds the MazdaSpeed Top Mount Intercooler to the Product Line-up

CorkSport is pleased to announce the latest addition to our product line-up, the premium-quality CorkSport Mazdaspeed Top Mount Intercooler (TMIC). The newly engineered TMIC is made from CorkSport’s own custom cast end tanks which are TIG welded to a 3” thick bar and plate core, providing added performance by removing the bottleneck restriction of the stock intercooler and increasing resistance to heat soak by using thicker materials. The cold pipe connection is CNC milled and drilled for a leak proof connection and all bolt holes have been capped off.

CorkSport’s innovative design allows for the reuse of the Mazda OEM plastic shroud leaving your engine bay looking completely stock; however an optional aluminum ring has been made available and can be customized to compliment the finish of any engine bay.

CorkSport Mazdaspeed Top Mount Intercooler

The CorkSport TMIC has been vigorously tested to ensure optimal characteristics. Testing completed on a SuperFlow test bench proved a 46% increase in airflow over the Mazda OEM intercooler. During the testing, the CorkSport TMIC showed an average decrease in pressure across the core by 53% and an increase in overall efficiency of 25% over the stock intercooler.

“After many months of design, testing, and data collection, we are proud to release our highly anticipated CorkSport Top Mount Intercooler”, said Rich Harris, President of CorkSport, “Our TMIC provides solid power gains and is a great value add to the Mazdaspeed 3, MazdaSpeed6 and CX-7 turbo. Pre-sales of the product have shown a strong demand in the marketplace for the newest addition to the CorkSport line”.

The CorkSport Top Mount Intercooler is available now for purchase at www.corksport.com or by phone at (360) 260-CORK. The CorkSport Top Mount Intercooler features full color installation instructions and comes with all the required installation hardware.