Birthwhistle: Mazda's SkyActiv Program Influences RWD Design In FWD Vehicles
As other manufacturers downsize their offerings to meet ever-increasing fuel economy milestones, Mazda’s SkyActiv program utilizes engine geometry to hit those marks, resulting in the automaker’s current offerings looking rear-wheel drive while feeling front-wheel drive.
In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Mazda Europe design boss Peter Birthwhistle explained that since the automaker’s SkyActiv technology allows for engine size to remain larger than the competition, the layout of the exhaust system results in the passenger cell being pushed back to accommodate a “sloped angle” where the pipes exit from the engine. In turn, the overall look is that of the traditional long hood/short deck RWD layout in spite of the power going toward the front.
Turning toward alternative power, Birthwhistle mentioned a few offerings in the works, including a hybrid variant of the 3, a rotary-powered range extender that may see use in a future plug-in hybrid, and a move into electric vehicles. That said, the designer sees a lot of continuing potential with the internal combustion engine:
There’s still a lot of potential in conventional engines. They remain very inefficient in terms of things like heat loss. Get that sorted out and there’s amazing potential in gasoline engines in terms of fuel economy.
Looking further into the future, Birthwhistle also believed that by 2100, most cars will be automated personal pods, with small cars made for weekend warriors to use on track days.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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RWD-looking FWDs, coupe-like sedans, why can't we make cars that embrace their attributes?
Can anyone here let me know what ever happened to engines using 5 valves per cylinder? It seems that none uses this tech anymore. Audi was the last to use it I think but now gone. I have always thought that combining 5 vpc, DI, Cylinder deactivation, start-stop and EH processes would develop a very efficient engine. Guess I was wrong.
Mazda continues to make the right moves to remain the choice of cheap practical transport for the discerning driving enthusiast. Even the old standby Protege was somehow tuned to be delightfully sharp near comparable to the 3-series of the time at less than half the price, nevermind the effervescent Miata. The cars lost some of the impeccable feel with electric steering, but never the zoom-zoom spirit. Mazda also tends to create their styling cues in sheetmetal rather than accents in chrome or such (eg nissan) and as a result have some of the better looking cars in light colors where shape outlines dominate.
Mazda has my styling vote hands down these days. The new 6 seems like a sleek revision of the late 1990's before every car got an ass-end that's six feet high with no rearward visibility. Sexy. And a grille that's not copying Hyundai/Mercedes. Refreshing. To my eye, the new Mazdas DO look a bit rear-wheel drive because of the front end, mainly the length between the front doors and the wheel-wells. Much better looking than most of the other vanilla front-driver bullsh*t out right now.