Birthwhistle: Mazda's SkyActiv Program Influences RWD Design In FWD Vehicles

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: February 16th, 2014

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.

#DesignLanguage #Mazda #MazdaEurope #PeterBirthwhistle #SKYACTIV

Cameron Aubernon

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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13 of 92 comments

Ryoku75 on Feb 17, 2014

RWD-looking FWDs, coupe-like sedans, why can't we make cars that embrace their attributes?

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- Corey Lewis on Feb 17, 2014
  
  What, like crappy and FWD and built for shopping? We do! All CUVs are embraced designs: all embraced designs are CUVs.
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Feb 17, 2014
  
  @Corey Lewis Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength.
  
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Dragonphire on Feb 17, 2014

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.

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- Jhefner on Feb 17, 2014
  
  I am guessing that variable valve timing gives the same increased exhaust port volume as 5 vpc; without the added complication. It also has the added benefit of being variable in volume.
  
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- Nickoo on Feb 17, 2014
  
  Many motorcycles use 5 valves/cylinder. Motorcycle engines, especially from Yamaha, make car engines look like a joke.
  
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- Niky on Feb 18, 2014
  
  There isn't enough real-estate on top of the piston for everything. As it is, you need space for four valves, a spark plug (or two) and (increasingly) a direct injection nozzle. Honda actually went backwards when they first designed the L-series engine in Fit. Certain markets got one with dual spark plugs and three valves. Those engines were legendary for their frugality. They were also dog slow compared to the VTEC L-series that replaced them.
  
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U mad scientist on Feb 18, 2014

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.

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- Big Al from Oz on Feb 18, 2014
  
  @agenthex Effervescent Miata?? Is this similar to a 'blue or medium rare' Kia Soul? Or, here's a good one, a 'devilish cocktail' of drivetrain components in a Ram pickup? Driving my BT50 (Mazda) is like driving with a hint of spice entwined in an aromatic garlic adventure. Wow, what literary skills you have;) Wow!!!!!
  
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- NormSV650 on Feb 18, 2014
  
  If Mazda is so good why does they hold three of the Top Ten used cars? http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/car-dealer-scientific-guide-10-worst-used-vehicles-222709616.html
  
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- U mad scientist on Feb 18, 2014
  
  @NormSV650 1. I was speaking on driving dynamics. Driving dynamics is not the same thing as end-of-life reliability for those slower on the take. 2. End-of-life reliability as measured by that site is useful for evaluating older trades but not necessarily for anyone interested in buying the usual late model or new car. Mazda generally does pretty well on CR which is a 10yr span for actual owners. 3. There also seems to be systemic bias in the study; there's no reason why scion should score that much lower than toyota.
  
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- Macca on Feb 18, 2014
  
  @NormSV650 I know I shouldn't feed the troll...but that list is pretty obvious to me and hardly speaks to Mazda's overall quality. Here's my take on these three cars Mazda no longer makes: 1. Mazda 626 - this car was last sold in the US in 2002 before being replaced by the far superior Mazda6. The transmission woes are due to the Ford CD4E transmission that was used in the 626 - a car built in Flat Rock, MI. So the newest example is now around 12 years old and likely used up anyway. 2. Mazda Millenia - this car was last sold in the US in 2003. It was an ambitious attempt at an up-market lux sedan that was intended for Mazda's luxury brand that never was (Amati). It contained an oddball Miller cycle engine and other complexities that made it a maintenance nightmare for higher mileage, out-of-warranty versions. A bit of a one-off that was axed as Mazda revamped its US lineup over a decade ago. 3. Mazda CX-7 - another car Mazda no longer makes, although this one bowed out in 2012. The turbo-four was troublesome and returned awful fuel mileage. It has since been replaced by the vastly superior CX-5.
  
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Jayzwhiterabbit on Feb 23, 2014

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.

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