UK Mazda3 gets stop-start technology
July 1, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The all-new Mazda3 range now incorporates innovative ‘i-stop’ (stop-start) fuel saving technology on 2.0 Sport models in Britain.
The system automatically switches off the engine upon engaging neutral or whenever the car is stationary for more than a few seconds and restarts the engine when the driver simply depresses the clutch.
“The all-new Mazda3 2.0 Sport with our exciting ‘i-stop’ technology uniquely delivers both performance and cost savings to fleets, company car and individual drivers,” said Peter Allibon, Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director.
“In recent times, a 2.0 Sport petrol model may not have been the obvious first choice for a city-bound company car driver.
“However, the introduction of our highly efficient i-stop technology means that our latest model may change all that. The new Mazda 3 2.0 Sport with i-stop will be the right choice for city drivers who still want to experience power and performance from their company car out on the open roads.
“Indeed, the Mazda3 2.0 Sport with i-stop makes cost-effective performance driving accessible to a totally new group of drivers.
The revised DISI engine is remarkably sophisticated with sequential valve timing and a variable induction system to ensure powerful torque throughout the rev range.
For employees who regularly experience stop-start motoring in urban environments, our fuel-sipping i-stop technology mated to this 2.0-litre engine is the sensible money-saving choice.”
Mazda claims a 16 per cent fuel saving on models fitted with i-stop technology as well as a reduction in CO2 output of 19 per cent.
There’s no word yet on when the technology will be available on Australian Mazda3 models.
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
16% fuel saving is amazing saving!
Whats your hold up Mazda Australia?
Kia’s new Cerato/Forte injected LPG hybrid has this fitted too.
Be nice if the Falcodore got it fitted too?
Cheers
F-0
I read somewhere how Mazda’s system works. When the ECU stops the engine, it makes sure that 1 and 4 pistons are near top dead centre. When the ECU detects that you’re about to drive off, it fires 1 and 4, forcing the engine to go backwards until 1 and 4 compress in reverse and then fires those 2 cylinders again which is then enough momentum to fire the engine up. This eliminates the need for the starter motor to crank everytime it needs to restart. Pretty clever stuff!
VW Freak^^^^
That sounds genuis, but i cant see how it can work without the starter motor still being used, the starter motor must still turn the flywheel.Have you a link for thi?
Cheers
F-0
It may be excellent technology but why i-stop? God knows what the i in iPod is for, why rip it off when there’s no valid reason? If there actually is a legitimate reason then please somebody tell me.
Google:
2010-mazda-axela-with-i-stop-launched-in-japan
for a story with some technical info.
Other info is out there too.
doesnt stop and start cause wear and tear on the engine?? interesting to see how these cars hold up in 4-5 years time
haha i’m just trying to imagine driving fast in urban streets without breaking the speed limit
It is a unique system that uses energy from combustion to restart the engine quickly with only a little help from starter motor and fuel consumed in excess. To achieve this, the position of the cylinders and the crankshaft, the opening of the valve and direct fuel injection is synchronized with precision. The contribution of the electric motor is required only during the first phase of the boot. The initial ignition, combined with an impulse to crank start the engine in an extremely soft, with great fuel efficiency, in addition to half the time conventional systems that cut idling.
Combined with the engine of gasoline direct injection, the optimization of aerodynamic and other external measures, the new i-STOP system is able to reduce fuel consumption of the new Mazda 3 2.0 l. DISI by 14% in combined cycle , compared with first-generation Mazda3 with conventional 2.0 petrol engine.
When Mazda engineers began work on the renovation of the entire range of this model followed a very simple logic: The car does not move does not emit . Hence comes the cutting system idle Mazda, which is in Europe with the new DISI engine of 2.0 liters and four cylinders of the new Mazda3.
I-stop system of the new Mazda3 and 2.0 liters of gasoline direct injection is activated automatically when starting the engine. If the driver you want, you can disable it using a button on the dashboard. The system is imperceptible while driving, after the initial boot. But when the vehicle makes a stop and the driver steps on the clutch to leave the car idling, the engine stops automatically. A green indicator on the dashboard of the driver shows that the court system has launched an idling motor stops planned. While the car is stationary, does not consume fuel. To resume the march, the driver has only to step on the clutch and the engine re-start automatically.
The system i-stop Mazda is not a variation of other systems currently on the market. Rather it is an absolutely unique solution developed by Mazda alone and that only uses an electric motor during the initial phase of the boot. Basically, i-stop takes advantage of direct injection technology to restart the engine after a stop . It is this ability which makes it unique.
The system starts the Mazda engine start immediately. Their average time power is only 0.35 seconds, twice as fast as conventional systems.
The new 2.0 i-stop the Mazda3 consumes just 6.8 l/100 km (combined), 14% less than the 2.0 petrol engine with conventional injection into the inlet manifold of the Mazda3 previous generation. Emits 159 g / km of CO2 and meets the emission standards for Euro V. However, with a maximum output of 111 kW/151 hp at 6200 rpm, a maximum torque of 191 Nm at 4500 rpm and a six-speed manual transmission. Its acceleration to 100 km / h is in 10.4 seconds.
To ensure that electricity supply is reliable at all times, especially during stop and restart the engine, the 2.0 liter Mazda3 i mounted two battery-stop . The main battery is in charge of electricity supply, while the second is used only for starting the engine.
When i stop the engine cuts, lighting, sound equipment and all other consumers of electricity continue to operate. Even control the air conditioning is turned on if the driver does not require that the system is fully operational. In this case, the i-stop recognizing the need to restart the engine. The operation of all systems continued during the boot process.
VW Freak, Yeah i read that too somewhere, very clever stuff indeed its called Smart Idle Stop System and can start in just 0.35 seconds
But, the reasons why Australia wont get it any time soon are marketing reasons as the 2.0L is the range topping powerplant in the UK while the 2.0L is the base model powerplant with the less costly port injection in Australia and the 2.5L is the range topper. The Program Manager Kenichiro Saruwatari was quoted as saying this in Nov 2008 Wheels magazine page 68.
Is it just me or has the new Mazda 3 lost some of that magic that made the original so lovely?
@ Alex – I would associate ‘I’ with intuitive in this case.
@ FrugalOne – I havent looked at the figures but id say the 3 has a large enough market segment in Australia as-is. A lot more local competition in the UK so perhaps that might be why they are holding off… just a stab in the dark…
Ash your entire post was copied word for word from another blog
Way to go.
As for the stop/start system sounds great. If they put all the stuff from the Prius into normal cars EXCEPT for the electric motors and batteries we would have most of the benefits with none of the costs.
Thanks Crouchy, that does make sense. I don’t know why Mazda aren’t more vocal about what it stands for though as it does look like a bit of a rip off of iPod with it’s lower case “i” and everything.