http://www.autonews.com/article/20140106/OEM06/301069997/mazda-pins-improved-...Mazda engineers aim to eke the gains by cranking up the engine's compression ratio to 18:1, from a current level of 14:1. Higher compression tends to improve fuel economy because they can achieve the same combustion temperature with a leaner mix of fuel. Mazda says the 14:1 ratio in its first-generation Skyactiv gasoline engine is the world's highest.
That system may help Mazda comply with 2025 emissions targets.
It would limit the fluctuation of heat in the combustion chamber to reduce losses from exhaust and cooling, Hitomi said. That would make more energy available for powering the wheels.This is shooting for the 30% EPA improvement requirements for 2025 ...... as if Trump is going to let the future stupid EPA rules stand, choking down his "Make America Great" to a halt. However, it is a readily doable tech that has all the parts already in widespread use in the car industry. And even if they are mebbe initially failing to hit the 2025 targets right off the bat the trick still yields something quite tasty for meeting the 2020 EPA requirements.
Downsides is that the trick doesn't work at high RPM or very low RPM or a rapidly, constantly shifting RPM --- look to see it mated with CVT transmissions that are computer controlled to run at the RPM sweet spots and look to see that most all the car speed changes are done at a constant "sweet spot" RPM by computer controlled wide range CVT transmissions.
Note: my Cube does this already, it naturally seeks 1200 rpm, 2000 rpm and 3600 rpm for making and controlling engine HP and it uses the CVT for the speed shifts up and down.
This is existing tech, well understood.
The new Mazda will not be a sports car, it will be a mileage car, a daily driver with so-so acceleration, but unlike today's battery vehicles it will have endless range and rapid refueling (same as we enjoy today)
and it will fall into normal car price ranges.
By striking first with both announcements and patents, Mazda hopes to get royalties from all car makers that go this route in the next 7 years or so .....