MAZDA has honed its high-tech Skyactiv-X engine, making it a little more powerful and efficient, writes William Scholes.
Now dubbed e-Skyactiv-X, the 2.0-litre unit it has gained 6bhp and 12lb ft so it yields 184bhp and 177lb ft.
Depending on model - the engine is offered in the Mazda 3 and CX-30 - the updated engine emits between 5g/km and 11g/km less CO2 than before, with similar improvements to fuel consumption.
Mazda says it has achieved these gentle changes in performance by massaging the engine's compression ratio from 16.3:1 to 15:1.
The pistons have also been modified and the software working the mild-hybrid system updated.
Skyactiv-X is a 'spark controlled compression ignition' petrol engine whose party piece is essentially being able to switch between a diesel-like compression ignition and petrol spark ignition to deliver relatively more torque as well as more efficiency.
Meanwhile, there have been some efficiency changes to the regular Skyactiv-G petrol as well, and it gets e-Skyactiv-G branding.
