Mazda to debut Skyactiv-D Engine in 2013 Grand-AM GX Series

[2.0_Mazda]

Read this in another forum and thought it was TCL worthy.

As the self-described “only Asian auto maker committed to bringing modern clean-diesel technology to the United States,” Mazda is offering its 2.2-liter SKYACTIV-D four-cylinder diesel for sale to race teams to compete in the newly announced GX class for GRAND-AM racing.

This third class to compete in the Rolex Sports Car Series will begin in 2013 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, was announced at the end of May, and is open to alternative technologies including turbocharged engines; fuels other than gasoline, such as clean diesels; and hybrid powertrains.

“A number of OEMs have expressed their desire to field cars that wouldn't fit within our current two-class structure, so it makes good sense for us to find a way to accommodate those desires and in the process make something that's already great – the Rolex Series – even better," said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett.”

Mazda’s engine, pictured above, is based on a production design, but of course highly modified. The actual vehicle(s) it will be installed in for competition won’t be announced until the end of the 2012 GRAND-AM racing season, but the Japanese underdog manufacturer is offering a sneak preview.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/mazda...ies-46715.html

[BRealistic]

Well... that does make a Mazda Sky-D engined production vehicle sale in the US seem ever more likely... but when?

Racing is a great way to improve and refine an engine. Hmm.

[2.0_Mazda]

My thought as well. This will probably be used for advertising and will get people use of the idea of an Asian automaker selling diesels in the States.

[BRealistic]

My thought as well. This will probably be used for advertising and will get people use of the idea of an Asian automaker selling diesels in the States.

Yeah... because so many average Americans watch Grand-Am racing and really get into the technology.

I wonder what the race engines will be tuned for... 300 hp, 400 hp?

[200HP4dr]

Was at Mid-Ohio today. I'd much rather hear the diesel than the Rotary in the RX-8 blasting through the course.

I'm looking forward to seeing this engine at my local dealer across the street.

Chris

[HideYoKids]

I'm looking forward to spending my days working on these instead of stupid RX8s


Diesels make my pants tight

[MXTHOR3]

I wonder what the race engines will be tuned for... 300 hp, 400 hp?

I doubt it will be much over 200.

[muffintop]

Yeah... because so many average Americans watch Grand-Am racing and really get into the technology.

I wonder what the race engines will be tuned for... 300 hp, 400 hp?

Madd torks dawg.

[BRealistic]

I doubt it will be much over 200.

But no emissions means no concern over all that crap.... surely they will be able to tune it for 300 or so.
Because race car.

[Metallitubby]

[elementpb]

Swap this into an RX-8. The gas station owners will miss you.

[Fritz27]

Swap this into an RX-8. The gas station owners will miss you.

[HideYoKids]

there's an RX8 sitting in our shop with a worn out engine........

[MXTHOR3]

But no emissions means no concern over all that crap.... surely they will be able to tune it for 300 or so.
Because race car.

Let's hope so

[RacingManiac]

I doubt it will be much over 200.

The Mazda rep standing next to the display motor at Belle Isle the week before was saying 400+. It all depends on where the GX class is supposed to slot in their hierarchy....If its supposed to be like the current GT car then 400 something is probably a good guess.

[GTIDamien_407]

whats up with the false advertisement though? they say they're current skyactiv car gets 58mpg in the commercial I call

[RacingManiac]

In Canada? The whatever MPG rating in Canada is different from the US EPA rating. Its a lot more optimistic and needs much more disciplined driving style to hit those number....EPA's current standard is a bit more representative of a normal driving style...

[SSLByron]

whats up with the false advertisement though? they say they're current skyactiv car gets 58mpg in the commercial I call

Your Canadian socialist MPGs are inferior to ours, so your cars need more of them.

[GTIDamien_407]

Your Canadian socialist MPGs are inferior to ours, so your cars need more of them.

I guess they might have been referring to the uk mpg, they could have just used l/100km I wonder how these mazda diesels are gunna fair with they're competition. The VW TDI's

[MXTHOR3]

In Canada? The whatever MPG rating in Canada is different from the US EPA rating. Its a lot more optimistic and needs much more disciplined driving style to hit those number....EPA's current standard is a bit more representative of a normal driving style...

The ratings are the same. One is in US MPG, the other Imperial MPG.

[2.0_Mazda]

Yeah... because so many average Americans watch Grand-Am racing and really get into the technology.

I wonder what the race engines will be tuned for... 300 hp, 400 hp?

I meant in TV adverts, they make reference to the engine being used in a race car. Whatever sounds good to make people more interested in Diesel

[HideYoKids]

Guess I can stop holding my breath for a Tiguan TDI, just found out we're getting the CX5 TD next spring!

[RacingManiac]

The ratings are the same. One is in US MPG, the other Imperial MPG.

Nope, for Mazda 3 5 door:
Mazda US: 39MPG
Mazda Canada: 4.9L/100km (48 MPG US, 57 MPG UK)

The testing standard is not the same. There are no universal mileage testing standard...

[MXTHOR3]

I stand corrected.

[RacingManiac]