Mazda Introduces Gasoline Direct Injection on MPV Minivan

2 February 2006

Mazda MPV

Mazda has introduced its fully-redesigned Mazda MPV minivan, first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, in Japan. The third generation of the vehicle replaces the older 3.0-liter V8 engine with Mazda’s new 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) Turbo engine.

Mazda is also offering a non-gasoline direct injection version of the 2.3-liter as well.

The DISI Turbo generates 184kW (247 hp) of power; tuned for use in a minivan, the engine generates higher torque of 350 Nm, matching that of the V8. According to Mazda, the 2.3 DISI Turbo is also the only turbo engine that meets the SU LEV standard (75% below 2005 emissions standard) in Japan.

Combined with a newly developed, electrically controlled six-speed transmission, the direct-injection turbo delivers fuel consumption of 9.8 al/100 km (24 mpg US)—lower than that of its 3.0-liter predecessor.

Mazda has developed a new form of an idle-stop system for the DISI direct-injection spark-ignition engines that uses combustion and the reverse operation of the engine as a restart trigger rather than an electric motor.(Earlier post.) That system does not appear to be applied to the MPV at this point, however.

Mazda is targeting monthly sales of 3,000 units.