Continuing its drive to be more environmentally friendly, Mazda has launched a start-stop system going by the name of “i-stop” and it is both unique and highly efficient. It is being rolled out in the new Mazda3 MZR 2.0 DISI.

The system utilises combustion energy for restarting the engine quickly which means the use of the starter motor, and hence fuel, is kept to a minimum. It achieves this due to the positioning of the crankshaft and pistons which, along with the valve opening and direct petrol injection, are all precisely in synch with each other.

This new system actually reduces fuel consumption in the new auto by almost 14% as compared to the first generation Mazda3 cars that had conventional two litre petrol engines. When the engine is shut off by the i-stop system, all other functions of the car such as audio, climate control and illumination continue to work.