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Mazda is preparing to launch its own low-CO2 technology to avoid being left behind in the dash to go green.
"We're not far off rolling out new engine technology," Mazda UK fleet boss James Hopkins told BusinessCar. "It is not yet being widely talked about but it makes the cars more efficient and keeps the engaging sporty drive while improving emissions."
While refusing to be drawn on the nature of the technology, Hopkins admitted: "It's safe to assume aerodynamics, regenerative braking and low-rolling resistance tyres are part of it."
The Japanese company is keen to enhance its environmental credentials without sacrificing the reputation for good-handling cars built off the back of the RX-8, MX-5 and new models such as the 2 and 6.
"The 1.5-litre diesel Renault Laguna [a small engine in a big car] is all well and good, but a user-chooser has got to see the car as nothing more than a functional tool to go for it," said Hopkins.
Hopkins claimed Mazda is "no less green than anyone else. We're not leading the way but to do that you forego the engaging driver's car".
But there's no word yet on whether Mazda will produce an actual sub-brand, such as Ford's Econetic or Volkswagen's Bluemotion, or whether it will go down the BMW route of using technology across the model range.
"There's a different philosophy on whether you should put all your focus on one or two models," said Mazda UK sales director Jeremy Thomson. "There's a danger for smaller manufacturers; will you get the brand awareness? The vast majority of the public can't associate the sub-brand with the brand."
Looking further ahead, Mazda is at the forefront of developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, and is about to lease 30 zero-emission Mazda 5 mini-MPVs in Japan. "There is a hydrogen need in the long term and Mazda is serious about it," said Hopkins. "There is a whole raft of things to come."
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