Future Mazda Petrol Engines Won't Have Spark Plugs

Mazda is reportedly working on an 'HCCI' engine for the next 3 hatchback, which will use compression for ignition rather than spark plugs
Future Mazda Petrol Engines Won't Have Spark Plugs

It’s pretty clear Mazda likes to do things its own way with engines. Its history is littered with unconventional rotary-powered cars, and while almost all of the motoring world - for better or worse - switches to downsized turbo engines, Mazda’s petrol engines are still of the naturally-aspirated variety.

The latest sign of the company forging its own path is arguably the most intriguing however, as Mazda is reportedly working on a petrol engine that does without spark plugs.

According to a report in Nikkei - picked up this week by Autoblog and a few other outlets - Mazda will incorporate a new ‘homogeneous charge compression ignition’ engine into the next Mazda3 hatchback next year. So what the hell is HCCI?

Remote video URL

Our friend Jason - aka Engineering Explained - provided the helpful video above a few months ago. But to break it down to its most simple level, HCCI uses compression rather than a spark for ignition, much like a diesel.

Crucially though, it’s more efficient than diesel engines and conventional petrols, leading to a potential 30 per cent drop in emissions for the next Mazda3.

HCCI engines are already a thing, but they’ve yet to make it into the world of production cars. Assuming Mazda and other manufacturers can get over a few hurdles (the high pressures involved make wear an issue, for instance), HCCI technology might well be the future of the internal combustion engine, providing a stepping stone of sorts before the inevitable rise of the electric car.

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Comments

Vedran 1

Wait, can you still slap a turbo on this?

01/17/2017 - 18:57 |
4 | 0

I wouldnt doubt it

01/17/2017 - 21:06 |
0 | 0

Not a chance, turbo engines require low compression, not high compression. It will also most likely mess up the air/fuel pattern in the cylinder.

01/19/2017 - 11:19 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Variable compression engines and HCCI should make an interesting engine. Wouldn’t it allow turbocharging to be used in HCCI engines too as compression can be lowered as boost rises? Engine wear will probably be an issue but nevertheless this is exciting! It’s nice that people still develop gasoline engines and not only focus on electric/hybrid :)

01/17/2017 - 19:03 |
2 | 0
Cameron Simmons

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

They should put gorged internals and reinforced cylimder walls to help with wear, but then again, its also expensive for a production car

01/17/2017 - 21:07 |
2 | 0
LeetPandaz

Wear? Cast iron ftw

01/17/2017 - 19:29 |
0 | 0
South Korean Car

so basically its a diesel engine, but works with petrol

01/17/2017 - 19:40 |
2 | 0
Anthony McClinton

I think this will become very doable once Koenigsegg’s FreeValve technology is on the market. Just imagine a gasoline engine without camshafts, without spark plugs, and without throttle bodies. Sounds pretty good to me. Future might be alright.

01/17/2017 - 19:57 |
6 | 0

Im not a big fan of the free valve idea because wjat if one or more solenoids get stuck as the valve is halway open? Bye bye to a multimillion dollar car

01/17/2017 - 21:08 |
2 | 0

Fiat have already released that technology they call it multi air

01/18/2017 - 23:07 |
0 | 0
Michael R. T. Jensen

Is there any disadvantages to this? Wear over time, power, limiting of modifications, etcetera?

01/17/2017 - 20:16 |
0 | 0

Very hard to actually implement. HCCI combustion only happens in a small window of tolerance, so the HCCI engine must be designed so that it is always in that window.

01/17/2017 - 20:45 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Rotary HCCI anyone?

01/17/2017 - 20:44 |
2 | 0
Eythan Aldrich

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

my thoughts exactly but hopefully

01/18/2017 - 03:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Soooo. Like a gasoline ran diesel?

01/17/2017 - 21:21 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

So theyll be diesel.

01/17/2017 - 22:24 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

One less thing to buy i guess

01/17/2017 - 22:39 |
0 | 0