New Diesel High MPG Commuters? Skyactiv Mazda2?

Since some of you are definitely better informed regarding the emerging technologies in new cars, I thought I'd pose this question before doing something that I may regret. I recently decided that I'd like to have a new Mazda2. It seems like a great blend of low buy-in, fuel econ and fun.

My biggest hangup on buying one is the thought that there may be something much more economical right around the corner. It seems to me that the 'Skyactiv' technologies currently available in the 3 would make a huge difference in the fuel econ of the 2. Does anyone know if there is any chance of this happening anytime soon? What about the availability of an an affordable new diesel hatchback or wagon from Mazda or someone else?

I don't want to NOT buy the 2 just because of the what-ifs, but if there is something worth waiting for within the next year or so, I will.

I've seen rumors that the Mazda3 and the CX-5 could get a turbo-diesel option in the next few years, but I haven't seen any mention of it making it into the Mazda2...

The Cruze is another one that always has diesel rumors floating around, as well.

Mazda's making them at least, dunno if they'll be on the US market:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/10/facelifted-mazda2-with-skyactiv-1-3l-revealed-in-japan/

I agree - with the SkyActiv motor in the 3, it gets better highway mileage than the 2. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Of course, I'm still waiting on a Mazdaspeed2. I just can't understand why Mazda hasn't taken a 3 drivetrain, stuffed it into a 2, and taken my money.

And the wife wants a Mazdaspeed5.

Seriously Mazda, get with the zoom-zoom already.

Diesel Chevy Cruze IS coming. I think the next Mazda6 will have the Skyactiv diesel engine as an option too.

I wouldn't count on anything changing for the Mazda2 any time soon though.

I understand the cautious buying and the intention to "not be wrong" when something better comes along, but...
I will bet dollars to doughnuts that if a diesel option comes out, the saving vs the up-charge will only benefit commuters who put on more than 35k miles per year.

I still want someone to put diesel into the mid size suv/mini van for the US

DaveEstey wrote: Diesel Chevy Cruze IS coming. I think the next Mazda6 will have the Skyactiv diesel engine as an option too. I wouldn't count on anything changing for the Mazda2 any time soon though.

Mazda is going to leave the Mazda2 the way it is. It's their cheap/practical/entry level car. I'm not going to hold my breath on a diesel Mazda6. I think it would be a good move for Mazda, but I don't think they'll do it. There are always rumors swirling about such and such company bringing a diesel state-side. I'm eager to see how this diesel Cruze does.

Powar wrote: Since some of you are definitely better informed regarding the emerging technologies in new cars, I thought I'd pose this question before doing something that I may regret. I recently decided that I'd like to have a new Mazda2. It seems like a great blend of low buy-in, fuel econ and fun. My biggest hangup on buying one is the thought that there may be something much more economical right around the corner. It seems to me that the 'Skyactiv' technologies currently available in the 3 would make a huge difference in the fuel econ of the 2. Does anyone know if there is any chance of this happening anytime soon? What about the availability of an an affordable new diesel hatchback or wagon from Mazda or someone else? I don't want to NOT buy the 2 just because of the what-ifs, but if there is something worth waiting for within the next year or so, I will.

If you are "concerned" about buying now, and wanting a car in 2 years due to technolgy, then lease. That's what I plan on doing, unless I just keep putting off getting a new car for 2 more years.

There are some very good lease deals out there, along with some real stinkers- when comparing to buying. Just got to run the numbers.

jrw1621 wrote: I understand the cautious buying and the intention to "not be wrong" when something better comes along, but... I will bet dollars to doughnuts that if a diesel option comes out, the saving vs the up-charge will only benefit commuters who put on more than 35k miles per year.

Don't discount that gasoline engines are only getting better and better fuel-economy wise. Base model 3-sized cars regularly get fuel ecomony that Diesel Jetta guys would have swooned over, with performance to boot.

Go play around with the "compare" feature of www.fueleconomy.gov

2012 Mazda 2
2012 Jetta Diesel
2012 Elantra

For the "typical diver", the Mazda 2 and Jetta D will have the exact same annual fuel cost ($1,600.)
The driver of the Elantra will spend $50 less!

You can also customize to your own "typical driving" scenario.

Asked the same question of our local Mazda dealer a few months ago. When I pointed out to him that the Skyactiv 3's got pretty much the same MPG as the 2, and were way more car, he pretty much acknowledged that if Mazda didn't do something, the 2's were going to get pretty hard to sell (unless that's all you can afford). I know some people on here love them, but I wasn't that excited. It was loud and small, things I could live with if it also turned out 50 mpg or had enough power to get out of its own way. Since it had neither, I wasn't interested. A scaled down Skyactiv package seems like it would be capable of turning 50-60 mpg and retaining at least 100-110 bhp. That would be a winner in my book. According to the dealer, however, no word from Mazda on any such animal.

I wish the 500 was available over here with the 1.3 Multijet diesel then I really would be buying it. I am thinking about a 500 anyway.

ReverendDexter wrote: I agree - with the SkyActiv motor in the 3, it gets *better* highway mileage than the 2. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Why doesn't it make sense? The body is more likely more aerodynamic. It has a more advanced motor. Probably has better gearing. The 2 has 97% the frontal area of the 3.

As far as I can tell, the 2 is designed for an extremely low buy-in price, not maximum efficiency.

ProDarwin wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: I agree - with the SkyActiv motor in the 3, it gets *better* highway mileage than the 2. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Why doesn't it make sense?

My apologies, that was an incomplete thought. What I meant to say was, "It doesn't make sense to me for Mazda to sell them right next to each other."

The press releases from Mazda today state that both the new Mazda6 and the CX-5 will have SkyActiv-D drivetrains available in the US this fall. Just FYI.

So, I wonder if the SkyActiv-D is going to be any fun to drive. After Per's article about getting rid of the Jetta, I'm a little cautious about the idea.

Javelin wrote: The press releases from Mazda today state that both the new Mazda6 and the CX-5 will have SkyActiv-D drivetrains available in the US this fall. Just FYI.

Link?

In reply to ReverendDexter:

• SkyActiv-D: 175HP @????RPM, 310 FtLbs of Torque @2000RPM, 5800RPM redline
• VW TDI (2012 Passat): 140HP @4000RPM, 236 FtLbs @1500RPM, 5000RPM redline

So, roughly 35 more horses, 75 more torques, 800 more RPM's (though the TDI Per had apparently only went to 4K), it's lighter, and it meats all of the emissions requirements with no urea injection or particle traps.

Javelin wrote: In reply to ReverendDexter: * SkyActiv-D: 175HP @????RPM, 310 FtLbs of Torque @2000RPM, 5800RPM redline * VW TDI (2012 Passat): 140HP @4000RPM, 236 FtLbs @1500RPM, 5000RPM redline So, roughly 35 more horses, 75 more torques, 800 more RPM's (though the TDI Per had apparently only went to 4K), it's lighter, and it meats all of the emissions requirements with no urea injection or particle traps.

Go Mazda! Now I want a diesel 6! I just don't do enough driving for that to make sense...

I want that engine in a Ford Ranger, a Subaru forester, and a Jeep Wrangler.

Yeah I would love that motor is my wife's stepside s-10.

This would be the perfect motor for a Ford Transit, or practically any of the smaller SUVs. A high-MPG CX5 with towing capacity? Hell yeah!

I agree - with the SkyActiv motor in the 3, it gets better highway mileage than the 2. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Their actual combined mileage on actual combined driving are pretty far apart, and their highway numbers are pretty close. Probably depends how much driving you do.

The idea that you'd actually SAVE money driving an elantra vs a tdi or a mazda2 is pretty ridiculous. That would only work for people who drove a very specific way constantly. I cant remember which magazine just did a comparison of 3 or 4 40mpg-rated compact sedans, but the Elantra had by far the worst mileage in that test.. close to 30. Compare that to something like a CR-Z that is rated ~39 highway and actually AVERAGES 39 and gets 50 if you drive it a very specific way constantly. All is not as it seems with EPA ratings.

Manufacturers are really trying hard to squeak out an EPA number for marketing reasons in the mainstream c-segment gas sedans, and imo a lot of cars that are heavily mpg-marketed are getting harder and harder to hit EPA numbers with. Compare that to cars that are just accepted to get 'good' mileage without the OEMs jumping through hoops to convince you or the epa, like a Mazda2 or CRZ or a TDI: They're fairly easy to beat the epa numbers with.

Ford makes a diesel Fiesta.

Just not here.