Mazda to Offer First Compression Ignition Gasoline Engine

Mazda Motor Corp. will offer the world's first compression ignition gasoline engine in 2019 as a way to reduce emissions without moving to battery-electric models, the Japanese automaker has announced.

The highly fuel efficient engine technology, which now goes by the name SkyActiv-X, combines the best attributes of diesel and gasoline engines, according to Mazda. It would use compression and a supercharger rather than a spark in the ignition process. The engine wouldn't lose performance and rather could increase torque by 10% to 30% over the current SkyActiv-G gasoline engine.

The process also improves fuel efficiency by up to 30% over the current engine and up to 45% over Mazda's 2008 gasoline engine.

Mazda outlined the plan on Aug. 8 as part of its sustainability plan leading toward 2030. Mazda would introduce the engine after March 31, 2019, reports Automotive News.