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http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/mazda-announces-breakthrough-in-long-coveted-engine-technology/ar-AApIOMK?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=mailsignout Mazda announces breakthrough in long-coveted engine technology Mazda Motor Corp said it would become the world's first automaker to commercialise a much more efficient petrol engine using technology that deep-pocketed rivals have been trying to engineer for decades, a twist in an industry increasingly going electric. The new compression ignition engine is 20 percent to 30 percent more fuel efficient than the Japanese automaker's current engines and uses a technology that has eluded the likes of Daimler AG and General Motors Co. A homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine ignites petrol through compression, eliminating spark plugs. Its fuel economy potentially matches that of a diesel engine without high emissions of nitrogen oxides or sooty particulates. Mazda's engine employs spark plugs under certain conditions, such as at low temperatures, to overcome technical hurdles that have hampered commercialisation of the technology. Executive Vice President Akira Marumoto called Mazda's engine technology the automaker's "heart". The engine is called SKYACTIV-X and Mazda had no plans to supply the engine to other carmakers, Marumoto said.

[extract] Mercedes-Benz gave the confirmation that the project to develop its unique Diesotto engine has been given the go signal. There were reports that the project was put off because of the company

[extract] Subaru has recently announced their latest generation of flat four engines to the world. The Subaru Flat Four, or Boxer is Subaru

Volvo is one of those manufacturers that are seriously pursuing engine downsizing in their larger passenger cars. They first started using a small 1.6liter direct injection turbo diesel in their flagship saloon the S80 a few months back and according to European reviewers, the car is still a refined car. So in a bid to further lower the carbon emissions and increaase fuel economy throughout their vehicle range, Volvo have now launched their Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) engines in 1.6liter form which will deliver high (for its size) performance while delivering favorable fuel consumption. The new 1.6liter will firstly be available in the new S60 sedan and V60 station wagon variants. The 1.6liter GTDi which will be fitted in the S/V60 T3 version will have 150bhp/240Nm and the T4 version with a 180bhp/240Nm. The T4 variant will have a ECU controlled overboost feature that will increase torque to 270Nm which is available on demand