Mazda’s SKYACTIV diesel covered 2,826 miles in the Rolex 24

With two prototype SKYACTIV racers, Mazda has demonstrated that their diesel engine has come a long way since its debut at last year’s Rolex 24.

On Saturday, January 25^th, Mazda unleashed a duo of clean diesel powered prototype racers that saw years of research culminate into an impressive demonstration of endurance and engineering at Daytona International Speedway at the 52^nd Rolex 24.

Just like last year, Mazda was unable to complete the race but unlike last year, the engine was not a factor in an early retirement.

The number 07 car last the duration of the race up until the final hour when an oil-pump belt failure caused a loss of oil pressure and a forced retirement. The number 70 car also faced an accessory related failure when the radiator became clogged causing the car to overheat and forcing it to retire after completing just over 1,300 miles of continuous high speed racing. Combined, both cars lasted a total of 2,826 miles!

John Doonan, Director of Mazda Motorsports, said that within the short amount of time the SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel prototype “we are very satisfied with the progress our team has achieved. That said, this is a multi-year development program and we won’t be happy until we start winning.”

The SKYACTIV-D is performing stronger than it has in previous endurance races and is a sign that Mazda is close to perfecting their diesel engine.

For more information about Mazda vehicles including technical specifications, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com.

2014 Mazda SKYACTIV racing prototype brings diesel back to Daytona

The SKYACTIV-D diesel engine returns to Daytona in the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship at the 2014 Rolex 24. Last year, a trio of turbo diesel equipped 2014 Mazda6’s failed to finish the 24 hour endurance race due to mechanical issues that have since been fixed and even earned Mazda the first diesel victory for the Grand Am class at Road Atlanta in July.

Next weekend, Mazda will be taking a pair of its latest racer dubbed the 2014 SKYACTIV Prototype through the paces around Daytona International Speedway.

The diesel engine used in the new prototype is identical to the specifications of the diesel engine found in the race modified Mazda6’s. The engine contains 51 percent of the original stock parts and weighs 37 percent lighter than the retail version.

At 451 brake horsepower with 581 pound-feet of torque, Mazda is squeezing every last bit of raw power that the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine is capable of outputting.

The Rolex 24 will run from January 25 to 26 with almost every automaker under the sun participating.

For more information about the benefits of SKYACTIV technology, please visit us at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Via: AutoBlog.com

SKYACTIV diesel engine delayed for North America

With several successful public demonstrations in the form of race victories using the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, Mazda has officially announced that its foray into the world of diesel power will have to wait a little longer before hitting showroom floors.

The Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda Orlando have been anticipating the launch of the SKYACTIV-D since Mazda’s intentions of introducing it in the as-of-then newly launched 2014 Mazda6.

Mazda has stopped hinting at possible release windows by taking the “when it’s ready, it’s ready” approach to focus more on finding a balance of fuel economy and driving performance which is a central theme in the SKYACTIV technology philosophy.

The reason for the delay is due to Mazda’s willingness to unleash every last bit of potential in the SKYACTIV-D, citing that they understand it “can meet emission regulation requirements.” Emission regulations vary in different regions of the world with Europe having strict regulations that call for strong improvements every five years.

The past year was a milestone for the Japanese automaker who saw the launch of two newly redesigned models built around SKYACTIV technology. If they release their diesel engine in 2014, it will be another memorable year of milestones Mazda.

For more information about SKYACTIV technology or the vehicles that use it, visit us on our website at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

50 years of rotary power for Mazda

This week marks the 50^th anniversary of the 1963 Tokyo Auto Show which is also when Mazda debuted their first rotary engines to the public.

Mazda Cosmo on display at the 1963 Tokyo Auto Show.

Although there hasn’t been a rotary powered Mazda for the past couple of years since production ended on the RX-8, the Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda, an Orlando Mazda dealer, anticipate the return of the rotary in the next few years.

Mazda’s rotary plans for the near future is the 16X rotary engine being developed to be the next generation of rotary engines with greater fuel economy and better performance.

While Mazda may not be making any new rotary engine vehicles today, their legacy has practically been centered on the Wankel rotary engine for the past five decades.

2013 has been a year of milestones for Mazda which can be a testament to its recent successes and continuing legacy of making quality class leading vehicles.

For more information about Mazda specifications or options, visit our website at SportMazdaOrlando.com. The Mazda Experts are here to help!

Return to rotary, Mazda 16X rotary to launch in two years

Mazda has always been a big name when it comes to rotary engines but in recent years with their focus on fuel efficiency and performance in the SKYACTIV platform, there has been nothing new to show in rotaries. According to AutoBlog.com, a Mazda USA insider tipped that the 16X rotary engine that has been known to be in development for the past few years will finally launch alongside an all-new model in two years.

The last rotary engine developed by Mazda was the Renesis that powered the RX-8 which ended its production run for North American drivers in 2011 due to lack of demand and failing to meet emission standards in Europe.

The 16X will outperform the Renesis while maintaining better fuel economy that has become a staple in Mazda’s commitment to automotive engineering.

It is unknown what the new model will feature the new rotary engine but with recent rumors of a future reboot in the RX-7 to hit dealerships in the upcoming years, it seems likely that the new model will be a sports car.

For more information about Mazda vehicles, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com which is home of the Mazda Experts. For auto shoppers looking to try out a new Mazda, the Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda, an Orlando Mazda dealer in Florida, can help set up an appointment.

Via: AutoBlog.com

2.5 liters make all the difference in the 2014 Mazda CX-5

When Mazda released the 2013 CX-5 last year, it rocked the industry with it's incredible chassis, stylish design and impressive fuel economy which redefined the crossovers. At Don Mealey's Sport Mazda, a new Mazda dealership in Orlando, Florida, it became one of the most popular cars for auto shoppers to test drive. In January, Mazda updated the popular crossover by making a few alterations including the upgrade from a 2-liter SKYACTIV gasoline engine to a 2.5-liter SKYACTIV engine.


Recently, Car and Driver had the opportunity to test out the 2.5 liter 2014 CX-5 AWD and compare their results with last year's 2.0 liter 2013 CX-5. Performance-wise, the extra half liter boosted the CX-5's horsepower by 35 resulting in a 1.6 second difference over the 2.0 liter engine's 0-to-60 time clocking in a 7.6 seconds. Car and Driver described the 2.5 liter 2014 CX-5 as “a bit of an instigator, cutting and running in traffic situations,” while the 2.0 liter “would best wait for a wider opening.”


For more information regarding the 2014 CX-5, read the Mazda Experts convenient CX-5 research page or visit SportMazdaOrlando.com and ask the Mazda Experts. If you're in the Central Florida area, schedule a test drive of the CX-5 with the Mazda Experts and experience for yourself what makes this a must-drive crossover.

Via:  Car and Driver

Does 2.5 liters make a difference with the 2014 Mazda CX-5?

Continuing the momentum that the 2013 debut of the CX-5 brought to Mazda’s line up, the 2014 keeps delivering an automotive experience that has drivers wondering what Mazda will think of next. As a new Mazda dealership in Central Florida, Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda understands what auto shoppers are looking for in a crossover and are proud to meet these expectations with the 2014 Mazda CX-5. Last year’s model carried over a 2.0 liter engine capable of delivering 155 horsepower across all available trims. This year, Mazda has introduced a brand new 2.5 liter engine, alongside with the 2014 Mazda6, to up the ante on horsepower by 19% allowing drivers to attack hills and accelerate faster with ease.

Safety is always on Mazda’s mind with every new iteration of their vehicles and this remains the same with the 2014 CX-5. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2013 CX-5 a Top Safety Pick thanks to the safety conscious efforts of Mazda’s engineers. The 2014 continues to improve upon safety by introducing a new Smart City Brake Support system allowing drivers on dense urban roads to avoid low speed collisions by applying the brakes if the driver does not. For more information about the 2014 Mazda CX-5 and how you can get the opportunity to test drive one, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com where the Mazda Experts are ready to help you with your automotive needs.

Mazda Debuts The New Skyactiv-G Gasoline 2.5 Liter Engine

Debuting in the 2014 Mazda6 and 2014 Mazda CX-5 this January, the all new Skyactiv-G gasoline 2.5 liter engine gives fuel efficient shoppers an alternative with more power. Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Central Florida is a new Mazda dealership that has begun to already see a giant spike in interest regarding these newest models and can only expect it to gain momentum following their releases. Improving upon the already terrific performing 2.0 liter Skyactiv-G engine, the new 2.5 liter engine will bring the power from 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque all the way up to 184 hp and 185 lb/ft. This engine will be launching with the 2014 Mazda6 as the standard engine and will also be available in the Touring and Grand Touring models of the 2014 CX-5.

While fuel economy is still being weighed, the EPA estimates that the CX-5 will perform with 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive models and slightly declining to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for all-wheel-drive models. The Mazda6’s fuel economy gets an even greater boost with the engine thanks to the all-new i-ELOOP regenerative break system that will convert energy from braking into raw power to run key electrical components at stops. For more information about the launch of the 2014 Mazda6 and CX-5, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com and learn how a Mazda Expert can help you get behind the wheel of one this January.

2012 Custom Car Show Gives a Glimpse of Mazda Creativity

Mazda’s showing at the 2012 SEMA Show this year brought on the eye candy with three customized concept CX-5s that brought out the best of this beautiful compact crossover. The bloggers at AutoBlog.com went to the show in Las Vegas and captured plenty of pictures and details of these special concepts. Taking a look at the future of Skyactiv, the CX-5 Dempsey concept was stocked with a 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D diesel engine, the first seen in a North American spec CX-5.

Check out their article and photo gallery of all three concepts that any Mazda aficionado will appreciate. For more information about the Mazda CX-5 and Skyactiv, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. The Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL are knowledgeable resources of information and can help anyone in person that is interested in a Mazda in the Central Florida area.

Skyactiv-Drive Brings Sporty To Automatic Transmissions

Manual transmission vehicles have an aura about them that give drivers a sense of speed as if they are a burning rubber around Daytona Speedway. The problem is that unless you have a really good imagination, traditional automatic transmission cars don't have that extra "it" factor in performance. The engineers at Mazda examined a wide array of transmissions and making key target areas during the process. The result was the Skyactiv-Drive which provided increased fuel economy, smooth shifting, and the sporty feel of a manual transmission.

The Skyactiv-Drive has a low NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness)  which means it helps make the ride quieter and smoother.

Getting down to the facts, the Skyactiv-Drive is the perfection of the best of todays conventional automatic transmissions. The improved torque efficiency, direct-drive, responsive handling, reduced torque slippage, and low level of operating noise lives true to the Skyactiv name. You can find the Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission in 2012 and 2013 models of the Skyactiv Mazda3 sedan and hatchback as well as the 2013 Mazda Skyactiv CX-5. Skyactiv-Drive will also be with the upcoming Skyactiv-D diesel engine starting in a 2014 model.

To learn more about Skyactiv technology or all Mazdas, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Meet our Mazda Experts in person at Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Orlando,FL. Keep posted for more on the present and future of Skyactiv technology and Mazda.

The Future of Skyactiv: The Skyactiv-D 2.2L Diesel Engine

On Saturday we discussed the muscle behind the 2012 Skyacitv Mazda3 and 2013 Skyactiv Mazda CX-5. Today we'll be focusing on a future engine being introduced to the Skyactiv technology family which is the Skyactiv-D 2.2L diesel engine. With dual-stage turbocharging and 20% greater fuel economy than comparable engines, this revolutionary engine is scheduled to make a debut in a future 2014 Mazda model. The launch of the new Skyactiv-D will make Mazda the first Asian brand to market a clean modern diesel engine in North America!

What makes the Skyactiv-D so special? Its combination of light weight, high performance, high fuel efficiency and clean emissions helps the 2.2 liter, dual stage turbocharging, 4-cylinder engine perform unlike any other. For instance, the typical compression ratio of a diesel engine in this class is 16:1 to 18:1. The Skyactiv-D performs at an astonishing 14:1 for enhanced fuel efficiency.

To learn more about Skyactiv technology from our Mazda Experts, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Meet our Mazda Experts in person at Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL. For more about Skyactiv technology and Mazdas in general, keep checking back here in the future.

Behind the Muscle of the Skyactiv-G 2.0L Engine

The design of the Skyactiv-G 2.0L gasoline engine featured in the Skyactiv models for the 2012 Mazda3 and 2013 Mazda CX-5 offers drivers fuel economy without sacrificing performance. This engine achieves up to a 15% increade in torque and 15% less fuel consumption compared to Mazda's MRZ 2.0L gasoline engine. Mazda was able to engineer this performance upgrade by including direct injection, an ultra-high 13:1 compression ratio, an advanced piston design, and a specially tuned exhaust system. These changes lightened the engine by 10% and decresed internal friction by 30% making a quieter smoother ride. The 2012 Mazda3 and 2013 Mazda CX-5 are currently the only two Skyactiv techonology models available at this time. To learn more about Skyactiv technology from our Mazda Experts, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Meet our Mazda Experts in person at Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Orlando,FL.

Keep checking the Mazda Experts blog for more about Skyactiv techonology and Mazdas in general.