Yes, it can. The technology is already developed and could possibly be in the works if not already into production. Mazda is a company of unorthodox innovations and as we see with their current lineup they will do well for themselves. The reason being is that Mazda has some very innovative and intelligent engineers on their team and have already found ways to deliver 35 mpg from a gas powered non-hybrid crossover which is much better than the Honda CR-V that delivers 31. The reason Mazda can do this is thanks to their stance on what they have dubbed SKYACTIV. Yes it seems as though no one can spell these days and Mazda is no exception.
The Mazda Motor Company has worked to deliver engine designs that shed unnecessary weight as well as utilize higher geared transmissions in order to keep the engine at lower revs constantly. This technology coupled with a light weight chases makes the vehicle an efficient one. But 35 mpg is only half of 70 mpg. So how is Mazda going to be able to manage 70 mpg with the CX-5? The answer is French Fries. Ok not French fries but the oil that cooks them as it can be burnt in a diesel engine. Yes Mazda makes a CX-5 diesel that is selling surprisingly well in Japan as it is delivering 62 mpg on the highway. The engine is dubbed the SKYACTIV-D and is mated to Mazda’s 6-speed transmission.
The answer is the Mazda i-STOP and Mazda i-ELOOP. i-STOP is a stop-start process that is currently used with the Japanese edition Mazda diesel but if we add it to i-ELOOP we should see a the diesel engine able to shed all its accessories except an alternator. The Mazda i-ELOOP uses capacitors to store energy from regenerative braking that can power the electric power steering, A/C compressor and even an electric turbocharger thus delivering some fantastic numbers for the CX-5 as more of the engines power is placed to the wheels and has less resistance. So we know that Mazda has the technology but will they implement it?
