Mazda MX-5 drives 1,000-km on sustainable fuel in the UK

MANILA: At a racetrack in each of the UK's home nations, a 2022 Mazda MX-5 Roadster with a 2.0-liter engine and 184 horsepower set a benchmark lap time for a zero-fossil-fuel sustainable-fueled vehicle.

Over the course of a week, the unmodified Mazda MX-5 completed laps at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales, Oulton Park in England, Knockhill in Scotland, and Kirkistown in Northern Ireland while being propelled by Sustain 100% sustainable road fuel from Coryton. The car also traveled 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) around the UK from circuit to circuit while using sustainable fuel.

One-hundred-percent agricultural waste, including straw, byproducts, and waste from crops that wouldn't be consumed, was utilized to make the second generation of Coryton fuel.

The drive highlights how sustainable fuels could support Mazda's Multi-Solution strategy for achieving climate neutrality, as well as the role they can play in decarbonizing both road vehicles and motorsport.

In order to attain climate neutrality, Mazda is dedicated to lowering CO2 emissions from every vehicle and thinks that all feasible choices should be utilized.

Continued electrification will go hand in hand with the development of cutting-edge internal combustion engine technology, like the award-winning e-Skyactiv X Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) petrol engine found in the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30, thanks to Mazda's SKYACTIV Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture.

 

Whether it is these SPCCI powered cars combined with Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid, the all-electric Mazda MX-30 or the Plug-in Hybrid CX-60 PHEV – across Mazda’s current range this multi-solution approach is obvious to discern.

Equally, Mazda’s planned Skyactiv EV adaptable architecture will be able to construct electric vehicles of various sizes and body shapes on the same production line. The addition of brand-new in-line six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines to the CX-60 lineup the following year will also highlight Mazda's exceptional and effective combustion technology.

In addition to the Multi-Solution approach found in Mazda’s current range and its future products, Mazda is investing in different projects and partnerships to promote the development and use of renewable fuels in cars.

In Japan, Mazda is involved in several joint research projects and studies as part of an ongoing industry-academia-government collaboration to promote the wide-spread adoption of biofuels from microalgae growth. In Europe, Mazda was the first OEM to join the eFuel Alliance.

Sustainable fossil-free fuels can also be a solution for decarbonizing the many millions of combustion engine cars that will continue to be on the roads for decades to come, as shown by the 1,600-kilometer drive across the UK and the establishment of the circuit laps.

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 left Coryton's headquarters in Essex and traveled to Motorsport UK's headquarters in Bicester before finishing its tour of the four UK circuits. The completely unmodified MX-5’s performance, economy and engine character was unchanged by the Sustain 100% road fuel supplied by Coryton — in fact excluding the circuit laps, the MX-5 averaged 45.6mpg (19.3 kilometers per liter).

David Richardson, director at Coryton, said: “We're delighted to have worked with Mazda UK on this project, which combined a great car with sustainable fuel to lower more than just lap times. As this challenge has shown, sustainable fuel is a real and credible player in our efforts towards net zero. It's a solution that performs incredibly well, works with our existing vehicles and has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of CO2 we currently release compared to traditional fossil fuels”.

Introduced in September 2018, the updated 184ps version of the two-liter Skyactiv-G engine featured lighter pistons and con-rod, upgraded camshafts, exhaust valves, fuel injectors, throttle valve and air intake — all of which increase performance over the 160ps version that featured in the fourth-generation MX-5 at launch in 2015.

As a result, the engine has a redline of 7,500rpm. In addition with higher fuel pressure and more efficient combustion than the 160ps version, there’s an increase in torque across the rev range, while peak torque rises by 5Nm.

With Mazda's i-ELOOP kinetic recovery and i-Stop Stop-Start technology standard across both engines, the MX-5 is more economical than ever. This is made possible by the MX-5's scant weight.

The Kinematic Posture Control (KPC), a software-based suspension performance technology innovation by Mazda, will remain a feature of the 2023 Mazda MX-5 that was recently updated for the US market.

KPC helps the vehicle manage various systems to help the Mazda MX-5 have enhanced precision and confidence in high-g cornering and act as a harmonious extension of the driver's body without adding an extra gram of weight. While the Mazda MX-5's rear suspension already helps in maintaining stability when braking, KPC also slightly brakes the inner rear wheel during high-g cornering. This pulls down on that corner, reducing body roll, and making steering response more linear through tight or rough turns. When accelerating through a corner, brakes are applied slightly more forcefully, improving the limited slip effect.

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport includes a slew of standard features and is only offered with a black soft top. Safety is the two-seat roadster's top priority as it comes with dual front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-impact door beams, and several i-Activsense safety features including Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart City Brake Support, and Lane Departure Warning.

During the 8th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) held this September at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Mazda Philippines showcased its latest offerings, including the limited-run Mazda MX-5 MCP 25th Anniversary Edition.

To commemorate the silver anniversary of Miata Club of the Philippines, the oldest single-make car club in the country, Mazda introduced the MX-5 MCP 25th Anniversary Edition.

The MX-5 MCP 25th Anniversary Edition is available in Platinum Quartz Metallic with a Navy Blue soft top. Navy Blue accents are also added on the side mirrors and roll hoops. This limited-edition model is fitted with 17-inch Satin Silver alloy wheels.

A special Mazda Connect Commander knob finished in Sterling Silver is equipped inside. It also has a Serial Number Plate that is also finished in Sterling Silver. Other interior features include black leather seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, and a nine-speaker Bose sound system. Each unit comes with a commemorative car cover and the MCP 25th Anniversary Photobook.

Photos from Mazda, Mazda Philippines

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