---
title: "Mazda Targets 56 Percent Thermal Efficiency With Skyactiv-3"
description: "Skyactiv-X's compression ignition is already the talk of the town, but Mazda thinks more can be achieved from internal combustion."
date: "2018-01-30"
modified: "2018-01-30"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/18037/mazda-targets-56-percent-thermal-efficiency-with-skyactiv-3"
categories:
  - "Mazda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Fuel Efficiency"
  - "internal combustion"
  - "mazda"
---

# Mazda Targets 56 Percent Thermal Efficiency With Skyactiv-3

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/01/gettyimages-105760434-e1517282468323.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Mazda's [Skyactiv-X compression ignition engine](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/15471/this-video-shows-exactly-how-mazdas-revolutionary-new-skyactiv-x-engine-works>) is pushing the limits of what is possible with a mass-market automobile engine, but the Japanese automaker evidently believes HCCI is but the beginning. [*Automotive News*](<https://www.autonews.com/article/20180128/OEM06/180129795/mazda-planning-skyactiv-3-engine-as-clean-as-an-ev?AID=/20180128/OEM06/180129795>) reports that the company has already announced Skyactiv-X's successor, christened Skyactiv-3, with the intent of achieving a staggering 56 percent thermal efficiency.

The project was announced by Mazda's Managing Executive Officer, Mitsuo Hitomi, and billed as a competitor to the burgeoning electric vehicle market. He claims it will keep an internal combustion vehicle's emissions on par with that of a car fueled via plug rather than pump.

This is not to say that Mazda is disinterested in the development of EVs. A partnership with China's Changan Auto was formed to [co-develop an electric SUV](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/17895/mazda-partnering-with-chinas-changan-auto-on-electric-suv-report-says>), likely for the Chinese market. As reported last year, [Mazda's philosophy is one of faith in internal combustion](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13139/mazda-exec-thinks-the-death-of-the-internal-combustion-engine-is-overrated>), and investment into the technologies that will enable Skyactiv-3 to reach the company's efficiency targets will be evidence enough of its piety to petroleum.

Mazda has apparently set its efficiency bar higher than any competing manufacturer. [Hyundai pledged 50 percent thermal efficiency](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/15536/hyundai-wants-f1-like-thermal-efficiency-in-its-road-car-engines>) in October, raising many eyebrows, as reports from September put Mercedes' Formula 1 engine [at that level](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/14286/mercedes-amgs-f1-engine-has-cracked-50-percent-thermal-efficiency-report-says>). Mercedes achieved that efficiency with a half billion dollars and a decade of development invested, in a diva of an engine that was ([almost](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/14246/1000-horsepower-mercedes-amg-project-one-hypercar-unveiled>)) never meant to see road use.

Skyactiv-X is not due to arrive on the market until the 2020 Mazda 3 is with us, and Skyactiv-3 will be years beyond. It nevertheless leaves us with the same hope granted to us [twofold by Mazda last year](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/17210/these-9-technologies-could-save-the-internal-combustion-engine>): Internal combustion will endure.

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)