Mazda says yes to ICE

[91344George]

I still find the way hybrids drive annoying and unpleasant.

Also to get the rated MPGs from the hybrid you generally must drive the vehicle differently from what you'd normally do with a ordinary gas or diesel engine car.

Price, generally these hybrids are just too expensive for what you get.

The newer diesels are really not much different from those of the past only an extra emissions component is added, the engines themselves are still very long lived, and extremely reliable.

I'd much rather have a small diesel in something like the Mazda 2. I would bet that the correct combination in that car would yield nearly 55 mpg, and would be good to drive too, since it is a Mazda. The current gas engined 2 is one of the best small economy models you can buy and the handling is outstanding as well, not to mention the price, add a small diesel and for a few extra bucks the MPG numbers would soar!

 

[SteveSRT8]

No reason to assume the diesels in cars are equal to over the road diesels in trucks.

We all know that MOST diesels are pretty reliable, but it's important to note that automobiles are covering a much wider spread of designs and reliability.

I'm sure Mazda can save the world, but I doubt it will be with anything running on fossil fuels.

 

[charbaby]

Well, if they are that focused(no pun), then maybe mazda will build some of the best ICE on the market which I beleive they may already have some of the best now especially in 4 cyl.

I love the little 2.0 L in my daughters mazda3. It's a smooth reving little 140+HP motor that also gets great mpg. Even around town the thing never gets less than 30 mpg(Spring-Autumn)with mid 30's all summer long(city) and often over 40+ on the hiwy. The worst mph this car has gotten thus far is 25 mpg during the winter months(all winter, with some tanks of fuel hitting 28-29 city) during a warm week and maybe a little freeway thrown in.

I love driving this car just for the little motor and smooth shifting auto transmission. Best shifting transmission in our family of cars inlcuding my wifes Lexus and my Altima.

 

[KrisZ]

I bet Mazda says YES to ICE because Ford and Toyota said NO to sharing their hybrid technology.

Mazda is too small to develop their own hybrid and there is no one else to source this technology from. How it plays out in the future is anybody's guess, but at least they are trying.

 

[PZR2874]

MAzda isn't dumb. They are working on it.

 

[artificialist]

I'm sure Mazda will be able to buy hybrid car components from some other company.

At the same time, they can sell some of their stuff to another manufacturer to get it. Just look at what the Skyactiv-D engine is capable of! Many manufacturers can't seem to build a diesel that can pass all smog tests, and in Europe, diesel engines in compact cars are extremely common due to $8/gallon fuel.

 

[L_Sludger]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111203a1.html

Not really news, but Mazda continues to say no to electric vehicles, and hybrids, focusing instead on high efficiency, "proper sized" gas and diesel engines.


Translation:
Mazda does not have the R&D wherewithal, funding or know-how to create a competitive hybrid or electric vehicle, and will continue to be a technological dinosaur until they go extinct or get bailed out.

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
Originally Posted By: Nick R
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111203a1.html

Not really news, but Mazda continues to say no to electric vehicles, and hybrids, focusing instead on high efficiency, "proper sized" gas and diesel engines.


Translation:
Mazda does not have the R&D wherewithal, funding or know-how to create a competitive hybrid or electric vehicle, and will continue to be a technological dinosaur until they go extinct or get bailed out.

Yeah, their new 155hp, direct injection 2.0l engine with a 14:1 compression ratio running on 87 octane gas getting 28/40 mpg is a real dinosaur.

Where do people come up with this stuff.

jeff

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
There was a puff piece on the Volt on AOL a while back and a snarky
(claiming to be female) poster was extolling the wonders thereof. When I mentioned that the AC doesn't work unless the engine is on, snarky said "I just roll down the windows" to which I suggested "she" (probably a white shoe plaid pants GM salesman "pretending") try THAT in Miami traffic in August. Now I see GM is buying them back because of a little "burning" issue. Wish I could add some more to that thread. That AOL "Automotive" section is a trip.


The A/C compressor is electric and runs quite fine with the engine off. A little research might be in order before you start slamming hybrids.

Most hybrids (first generation Prius excepted) have electric A/C compressors that run off the main hybrid batteries, so the engine need not be running. They also have electric power steering and there is no vacuum brake booster, so the brakes still have power hyrdraulic assist with the engine off. The hydraulic pressure is created by electric motors.

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: 91344George


The fact is that solid, proven, reliable technology for the hybrid or electric car is just not here...yet.




Do you have any evidence to back up this claim. I can think of several New York City hybrid taxis that refute your statement, and I imagine they get run somewhat harder than your average family hybrid.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1063...most-taxi-miles

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/04/nyc-hybrid-taxis-prove-reliable-.html

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
. Now I see GM is buying them back because of a little "burning" issue. Wish I could add some more to that thread. That AOL "Automotive" section is a trip.


The vehicle caught fire three weeks after it was crash tested. If you're still in your car three weeks after an accident, the fire is just a free cremation.

 

[Challenger71]

Finally, an automaker that "gets it". My hats off to Mazda Corp management for their level headed approach. I've always had the notion that Mazda stood out from the rest of the Japanese auto makers.

Originally Posted By: Nick R
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111203a1.html

Not really news, but Mazda continues to say no to electric vehicles, and hybrids, focusing instead on high efficiency, "proper sized" gas and diesel engines.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Now I see GM is buying them back because of a little "burning" issue. Wish I could add some more to that thread. That AOL "Automotive" section is a trip.


Holden Volt was launched down here today, for sale in 2012.

Apparently as spacious as a G8, and priced at $60k...only costs $2.50 to "fill up"...@22c/KWhr, over 4 hours (we have 240V AC, 10 amp power outlets.

 

[HerrStig]

Yeah, sure, for HOW long on a hot summer day when the outside air temp equals or exceeds condenser temp? Seems they never publish battery range figures with the heat or AC on.

 

[HerrStig]

In three weeks it may have been repaired and returned to the owner (for his hot dog roasting enjoyment).

 

[HerrStig]

Translation: Mazda will be around long after the taxpayer money keeping electric car companies afloat RUNS out.

 

[HerrStig]

BTW you have to AIR CONDITION the BATTERY in a Volt to keep it from overheating, whether the passenger compartment AC is on or not, using battery power if the engine is off. What does THAT do to the range?

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
BTW you have to AIR CONDITION the BATTERY in a Volt to keep it from overheating, whether the passenger compartment AC is on or not, using battery power if the engine is off. What does THAT do to the range?


iirc the volts battery uses the standard cooling system, not A/C. Could be wrong though.

 

[rjundi]

Interesting 3rd tier really 4th tier car maker.

Sounds like the substantial development dollars are not available to research the likely future.

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Interesting 3rd tier really 4th tier car maker.

Sounds like the substantial development dollars are not available to research the likely future.


I doubt this is a fact, partnerships are always possible, but for the near term future the electric car is not viable in any practical sense of the word. The PRACTICAL electric car is probably a century from being realized if not longer.