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Mazda Atenza launches with i-ELOOP regenerative braking
Nearly a year after Mazda announced its i-ELOOP regenerative braking technology, the company has finally launched a car that implements it: the 2013 Mazda Atenza. Known as the 2014 Mazda 6 in the US, both sedan and wagon models are on sale today throughout Japan. The aforementioned i-ELOOP technology uses capacitors instead of batteries to power the car's electronic components, and will supposedly increase fuel efficiency by up to ten percent. Other technologies incorporated in the vehicle include i-stop, Mazda's idling stop system and i-ActiveSense, a collection of safety technologies utilizing cameras and millimeter-wave radars. Customers can opt for either diesel or gasoline SkyActiv engines in either manual or automatic transmission. Suggested retail price ranges from 2,500,000 yen ($30,797) to 3,400,000 ($41,884) including tax. US customers won't be able take a test drive until the sedan model shows up in US dealerships next year, though it's unclear if either diesel or wagon options will make it stateside.
Mazda's i-ELOOP does regenerative braking with capacitors instead of batteries
Mazda has decided there's simply no reason why hybrid cars and EVs should have all of the regenerative braking fun. Its new system, called i-ELOOP, is aimed at traditional internal combustion vehicles. But, rather than rely on batteries, the company turned to capacitors which can be charged and discharged in just seconds. The electricity generated is then fed to the car's various electronic components after being passed through a converter to step down the voltage to 12v. By alleviating some of the burden to generate power from the engine Mazda claims it can increase fuel efficiency by up to ten percent. You won't have to wait long to see this tech make it into your next ride either, the world's first capacitor-based regenerative braking system should be making its retail debut sometime in 2012. Check out the PR after the break.
