First in the World: Mazda’s Skyactiv-X Engine

Mazda’s Skyactiv-X engine is the first in the world to burn gasoline using diesel-style compression ignition. The result? Amazing power and economy.

At the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda released new info on its highly anticipated compression-ignition Skyactiv-X engine. It’s all a bit daunting if you’re not an engineer, but helpfully, Mazda put together a short video explaining exactly how this revolutionary engine works.

Essentially, this gas-powered engine can run like a diesel, using compression ignition to burn its fuel. Mazda calls this Spark-Controlled Compression Ignition (since a spark plug is still used to initiate combustion), and it’s the first engine that can switch seamlessly between compression and spark ignition, depending on load.