Mazda launching clean diesels in Japan

According to KHABARKHODRO, beginning with the new CX-5 crossover in spring 2012.

The vehicles will be powered by the new 2.2-litre clean engine, the first passenger vehicle diesel to pass Japan's Post New Long-Term Emissions Regulations without the need for expensive nitrogen oxide (NOx) aftertreatment technology.

The CX-5 will be the first passenger vehicle in Japan to combine a clean diesel engine with an idling stop system. Mazda claims it will deliver maximum torque of 420Nm, more than some four-litre V6 petrol engines, and the best fuel economy of any SUV on the Japanese market at 18.6km/L (JC08 mode test cycle; front wheel drive, automatic transmission models).

Although popular in Europe, current clean diesel vehicles have struggled to gain traction in Japan because they require expensive NOx aftertreatment technology to meet the exhaust gas regulations.

Mazda has redeveloped its unique idling stop system, i-stop, for use with the 2.2 engine. Unlike other diesel engine stop-start systems that require two engine cycles to restart combustion, i-stop restarts in a single cycle by careful positioning of the pistons as the engine stops. At less than 0.4 seconds, i-stop achieves what is claimed to be the world's fastest diesel engine restart time.