'Mazda Bongo' First in Class to Employ Diesel Engine with DPF
Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 09, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation has partially restyled its Mazda Bongo van and truck range with the introduction of a newly developed diesel engine designed to greatly reduce exhaust emissions. The upgraded vehicles go on sale today at Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout Japan. Mazda Bongo vehicles equipped with the new diesel engine are the first in their class*1 to comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law*2 making them eligible for sale and registration in the major metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Moreover, performance and fuel economy show a significant improvement over the previous diesel engines used in the Bongo series. With the introduction of this engine Mazda actively responds to customer demands by providing a clean, yet powerful and responsive diesel engine with enhanced fuel economy. These features ensure that Bongo commercial vehicles continue to be the ideal business partner. Additional enhancements for the Bongo van/truck lineup include a more powerful gasoline engine, revised seat and door trim fabric and a driver's seatbelt with pretensioner and load limiter. Features of the New Diesel Engine 1) Cleaner emissions (Complies with New Short-term Diesel Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law) The new 2.0-liter inline four cylinder, common-rail direct injection turbo diesel engine (RF-CDT type) employs technology that greatly reduces the amount of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas emissions. Based on the MZR-CD engine mounted in the European specification Mazda6, the engine is equipped with an all-new diesel particulate filter (DPF) and an improved engine control unit. As a result, PM emissions have been reduced by more than 75 percent, while NOx emissions have been cut by 25 percent compared to the 2.2-liter diesel engine (R2 type) previously used in the Bongo series. In order to reduce PM emissions, the engine employs a diesel particulate filter coated with an oxidation catalyst. The ceramic filter traps PM, and when the amount of PM in the filter reaches a designated level, it is automatically removed through the combined effect of the catalyst and combustion temperature controlled by the common-rail injection system. Further, NOx emissions are reduced by optimally controlling the combustion temperature with "Cooled EGR"*3 and by improving combustion efficiency with fuel injected at high pressure from the common-rail. As a result, Mazda Bongo is the first vehicle in its class to comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Law. 2) Improved performance (maximum torque increased by around 30%) The new engine employs a common-rail direct injection system with precision-controlled fuel injection pressure and injection timing along with a small, high efficiency turbocharger. Together these features greatly improve vehicle performance compared to the previous 2.2-liter diesel engine. In addition, the engine achieves flat torque over all speed ranges, while readily delivering the power required for climbing hills with a load. Maximum output has been increased from 58 kW (79 PS)/4,250 rpm to 63 kW (86 PS)/3,500 rpm. Maximum torque has also been enhanced by around 30 percent from 138 N-m (14.1 kg-m)/2,000 rpm to 178 N-m (18.2 kg-m)/2,000 rpm. 3) Fuel economy improved by almost 13 percent The common-rail direct injection system and small, high efficiency turbocharger work together to deliver an impressive balance of power and fuel economy. Comparing the fuel efficiency (10.15 mode) of a manual front-wheel drive, wide-low long body truck, the new 2.0-liter diesel engine achieves a respectable 15.4 km/L compared to the previous 2.2-liter diesel engine's 13.6 km/L. *1: Small commercial vehicles. (maximum load less than 1 ton) *2: Outline of regulations: New Short-term Emissions Regulations: These regulations set standards for CO and HC emissions in addition to NOx and PM emissions. They will apply to current production models from September 2004. Automobile NOx/PM Control Law: Effective in major cities with serious levels of air pollution caused by automobile exhaust emissions, this law regulates permitted levels of emissions for all commercial vehicles and passenger cars with diesel engines. The law applies in Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi, Mie, Osaka and parts of Hyogo. When introduced in October 2002 the law related only to newly registered vehicles. However, from October 2003 all designated vehicles registered in these regions must comply after a certain grace period. *3: EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. The system works by returning exhaust gas to the intake air lowering the maximum combustion temperature to reduce the amount to NOx produced. Cooled EGR further increases this effect by water-cooling the exhaust gas before recirculation. Other Enhancements to Bongo Lineup 1. Improved safety All vehicles come equipped with driver's seatbelt with pretensioner and load limiter. 2. More powerful gasoline engine Maximum output of the 1.8-liter gasoline engine (F8-E type) has been improved from 66 kW (90 PS) to 70 kW (95 PS). 3. Revised body colors and seat/door trim fabric - GL van: Sunlight Silver Metallic replaces Highlight Silver Metallic body color. - GL-super van: Cool White/Sunlight Silver Metallic replaces Cool White/Highlight Silver Metallic while Nordic Green Mica/Titanium Grey Metallic II takes the place of Mid Green Mica/Highlight Silver Metallic. - CD and DX van: print leather seat fabric replaced by vinyl leather. - DX grade trucks receive vinyl leather seat fabric in place of print leather while GL grade trucks use a new-design print knit fabric. 4. Extensive lineup 1) Three four-wheel drive grades have been added to the diesel engine truck lineup. *4WD 2.0L diesel - 5MT wide low, long body, 1 ton (DX/GL) - 4EC-AT wide low, long body, 1 ton (DX/GL) - 4EC-AT wide low, standard body, 1 ton GL 2) The following new grades have been added to the van series. *FWD 1.8L gasoline - 5MT low floor, 750 kg, high roof, 4/5 door (CD/DX) - 5MT wide low, 1 ton, high roof, 4 door (CD/DX) - 4EC-AT low floor, 750 kg, high roof, 5 door GL - 4EC-AT wide low, 1 ton, high roof, 4/5 door GL *4WD 1.8L gasoline - 5MT low floor, 900 kg, high roof, 4 door (CD/DX) - 4EC-AT low floor, 900 kg, standard roof, 4 door (DX/GL) 5. Other features - CD player is standard in all GL grade vehicles (van and truck) - Increased alternator capacity (diesel engine vehicles) - 'Clean Diesel' decal attached to front door (diesel engine vehicles) About Mazda Motor Corporation Mazda Motor Corporation was established in 1920 and is one of Japan's leading automobile manufacturers. With its headquarters in Hiroshima, Mazda has two plants in Japan and manufacturing and assembly operations in sixteen other countries. Mazda cars and trucks are sold in more than one hundred and thirty countries. Ford Motor and Mazda agreed to collaborate in 1979, Ford Motor Company started investing in Mazda and increased its shareholding to 33.39% as of March 31, 1999. For further information, please visit the Mazda Motor Corporation home page at: www.mazda.com/flash.html <http://www.mazda.com/flash.html>