New Mazda Spirit Upgrade Adds More Power to Mazda 3 and CX-30
Mazda has been making news with its newly released all-electric MX-30. The automaker has been flirting with its own transition toward electric vehicles as they become more mainstream. Their plan to build 13 electric vehicles over the next decade has many pondering what the next move will be. An announcement about a new trademark filing as well as new patent filings has many speculating as to whether a new vehicle is in the works. The long-awaited Mazda Vision Coupe was unveiled by Mazda, but other information has been kept under wraps. The latest to come from the automaker is a new service that utilizes software updates to improve vehicle functionality. This service is called Mazda Spirit Upgrade and it allows the implementation of performance-enhancing software updates.
What is the Mazda Spirit Upgrade?
Mazda’s new service, the Mazda Spirit Upgrade, enables software updates for the automaker’s vehicles. This service will only be available in Japan, but the technology may be implemented in the United States once it is fully optimized. The Mazda Spirit Upgrade affects the engine control unit of certain vehicles like the Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-30. The engine control unit, or ECU, is the computer that governs motor functions. By updating this system, the car’s power and acceleration can be improved.
The first software update from Mazda is called Spirit Upgrade D1.1 and it is for Japan-market turbocharged 1.8L SkyActiv-D diesel engines. It bumps the output from 114 horsepower to 128 horsepower. This update also modifies the exhaust gas recirculation programming which reduces turbo lag. Torque is not increased by this update, but the torque curve does become broader. With this update, torque delivery is able to match the accelerator pedal angle which creates less bog and enables more consistency when taking off from a stop, or when going for an overtake. Only certain Mazda vehicles are eligible for this upgrade. This includes Mazda 3s built between April 2nd, 2019 and November 3rd, 2020, and Mazda CX-30s built between August 6th, 2019 and November 30th, 2020.
The cost for the Mazda Spirit Upgrade is $420. It can be purchased at any Mazda dealer in Japan. It adds power without affecting fuel economy or warranty. The only downside is that once a vehicle is upgraded, it cannot be undone. This means if consumers preferred the way their car drove with less power and torque, they can’t go back. The Mazda Spirit Upgrade will not be limited to just power updates, however. Mazda has confirmed that this new service will allow the speed of the cruising and traffic support system to be raised. This allows cars to follow at a predetermined distance from the cars in front and self-steer when applicable. Another update will improve cruise control, further smoothing out the acceleration and braking.
Mazda has stated that their new Mazda Spirit Upgrade service won’t be available in the US, but this is most likely because features that utilize the SkyActiv-X and SkyActiv-D aren’t offered there. A similar system update service may come later when this new service is further developed and optimized. It does give Mazda fans something to look forward to as future improvements are never a bad thing.
Come Test Drive a Brand-New Mazda at Kenny Ross!
If you’re in the market for an all-new Mazda CX-30 or Mazda 3, look no further than Kenny Ross Mazda. We can help you find the best vehicle for your needs. At Kenny Ross, we’re more than happy to help our customers find what they are looking for. Check out our new vehicle inventory or our quality pre-owned vehicles. We can offer suggestions like auto financing to help make paying for a vehicle easier.
If you’re in need of service, schedule an appointment with our expert technicians. They will provide you with everything you need to feel safe and secure on the road. Stop by today and see what we can do for you right now.
Photo Credit: Mazda