Mazda’s New Engine Tech Video Is Fascinating And Mesmerising

This is Mazda’s new video, showing off its Spark Controlled Compression Ignition combustion cycle, or SPCCI. It’s the super-lean burn cycle the company has been working on, combining elements of petrol and diesel combustion cycles into one. It’s different to the HCCI system because it uses a spark.

In a nutshell the cycle intentionally draws in less petrol on the intake stroke, compresses it much more fiercely than a normal gasoline engine does and then adds a dash of higher-concentrated fuel which is then ignited by a spark plug. That triggers further combustion at multiple points throughout the cylinder.

Merging the power of spark-led combustion with the efficiency of compression ignition generates more power from less fuel, maximising efficiency in a way that’s never been brought to market before.

Who needs electric cars, anyway? Well, if we’re honest, Mazda does. Still: well played, Mazda. We look forward to seeing – and feeling – SPCCI in action in future cars.