New Car: 2012 Mazda Demio/2

Mazda has launched its first production car equipped with a super-frugal SkyActiv petrol engine.

The domestic market Mazda Demio (known as the 2 in the rest of the world) gets the new 1.3-litre petrol engine and a CVT ‘box to coincide with a mild facelift for the supermini.

Although sales are currently restricted to Japan, it’s expected that on the European drive cycle, the 2 would average around 85mpg and get a sub-100g/km Co2 rating, a remarkable result for a conventional petrol engine.

The new 1.3-litre Sky Activ engine has a very high 14:1 compression ratio, a dual sequential valve timing system, new six-hole injectors, much reduced internal friction and a new-generation stop-start system. The CVT ‘box also has a seven-speed manual mode.

A new on-board economy aid called i-DM records and displays the driver’s various inputs in real time in order to encourage an economical driving style. Although Mazda Europe wants to sell the Sky Activ 2, no supply deal has yet been reached.

Thanks to: Autocar