Mazda i-stop system awarded with 2010 RJC Technology of the Year

Mazda Motor Corporation are proud to announce that their i-stop system has won the 2009 Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC) Technology of the Year award. The i-stop system is developed to decrease the fuel consumption by shutting down the engine when the driver stops the vehicle. The clever system is built-in direct injection engines and uses combustion energy to restart the engine in just 0.35 seconds, that is near twice less time than the other competing systems. I-stop also suppresses noise and vibration as the engine shuts down and restarts, which is very important for the occupants comfort.

The system is introduced on all-new Mazda Axela (known overseas as the Mazda3), which has been recently launched in Japan in June 2009. The result is improving the fuel consumption with 15 percent. What is more Mazda Axela with i-stop qualifies for Japan's eco-car incentive program as well as tax reductions of 75 percent under the government's eco-car tax reduction program.

"Mazda's i-stop system is one of the green technologies that form the base of our future product strategy. It improves fuel economy without adversely affecting driving performance. In this way, we believe i-stop perfectly reflects Mazda's commitment to provide our customers with driving pleasure as well as superb environmental and safety performance. We are honored to receive this award. In recognizing our environmental efforts, this prize holds a special significance for Mazda.", said Seita Kanai, Mazda's senior managing executive officer in charge of R&D.

In the future almost every car will be equipped with start/stop systems such as "i-stop", but only the time will show, which is the best of them. Mazda Motor Company has serious intensions to be the leaders on the market with their advanced technologies.

Mazda3 i-stop (2010)