Mazda shows off Minagi Concept
While we've known for a while that a smaller than CX-7 was on its way, we had to guess at how it would look.
The Minagi concept, shown in sketch form here, is way too production ready to be anything other than a thinly-veiled preview of that car - likely to go on sale in under a year.
It shows that the new design language for Mazda is much easier to swallow and won't be prone to the previous language's overly-happy criticism.
Mazda Mulling Options for next RX
Rumors abound of what Mazda plans for its next flagship sportscar.
Most rumors center on Mazda dropping the 4-seat, 4-ish door model of the current RX-8 - while leaving the people's sportscar duties to the new, lighter MX-5.
What we are hearing runs from the new model being badged RX-9 (though a 2-seater could likely bring back the storied RX-7 moniker just as easily).
Expectations are that the 1.6l version of the rotary that was shown recently by Mazda would help give the new RX additional torque. Direct injection is likely. Turbocharging is a possibility (with some rumors of an electrically driven turbo being tossed around - this uses an electrically driven turbine to replace the the normal exhaust-driven setup and giving even more low-speed response...further reducing the need to visit high-rpm and further improving fuel consumption).
Expect a production model to hit in 2013 as a 2014...unless technical challenges prove too much for even the rotary's lone champion to resolve.
Most rumors center on Mazda dropping the 4-seat, 4-ish door model of the current RX-8 - while leaving the people's sportscar duties to the new, lighter MX-5.
What we are hearing runs from the new model being badged RX-9 (though a 2-seater could likely bring back the storied RX-7 moniker just as easily).
Expectations are that the 1.6l version of the rotary that was shown recently by Mazda would help give the new RX additional torque. Direct injection is likely. Turbocharging is a possibility (with some rumors of an electrically driven turbo being tossed around - this uses an electrically driven turbine to replace the the normal exhaust-driven setup and giving even more low-speed response...further reducing the need to visit high-rpm and further improving fuel consumption).
Expect a production model to hit in 2013 as a 2014...unless technical challenges prove too much for even the rotary's lone champion to resolve.
Next Miata Going Super-Lightweight
Details are starting to emerge on the direction of the next MX-5 from Mazda.
Not surprising, given the rapidly approaching fuel economy regs in the US, which are making all makers look closely at lighter weights and more exotic powertrain tech, Mazda is taking the challenges and spinning them in a decidedly Zoom-Zoom sort of way.
The next MX-5, due in 2012 as a 2013, should shed about 300 lbs, putting it much closer to its original 1989 fighting weight. Engines are expected to downsize from the current 2.0l to the 1.6 or 1.8 sizes from generations past as well. Expect these engines to be part of Mazda's SKY-G engine initiative that will see them getting direct injection as well as start-stop tech to further increase mileage without much (if any) compromises in sportiness.
Not surprising, given the rapidly approaching fuel economy regs in the US, which are making all makers look closely at lighter weights and more exotic powertrain tech, Mazda is taking the challenges and spinning them in a decidedly Zoom-Zoom sort of way.
The next MX-5, due in 2012 as a 2013, should shed about 300 lbs, putting it much closer to its original 1989 fighting weight. Engines are expected to downsize from the current 2.0l to the 1.6 or 1.8 sizes from generations past as well. Expect these engines to be part of Mazda's SKY-G engine initiative that will see them getting direct injection as well as start-stop tech to further increase mileage without much (if any) compromises in sportiness.
Mazda comes late to CPO game
Where, up to this point, a used Mazda had to stand on its condition and whatever backing the customer could expect from the dealer (or through 3rd party used car extended warranties) now a 2006 or newer Mazda under the CPO program will get a 7 year/100k powertrain warranty, a 12 month/12k mile bumper to bumper extension (if fewer than a year or 12k miles of B2B warranty are left) and road-side assistance coverage.
This should help Mazda dealers in a tough economy compete with similar programs from other brands.
TCC Spies 2009 Mazda6
The Mazda6 has been quite a successful car for both Mazda - making it a legitimate player in the mid-sized sedan game, and Ford - server as the basis for most of their new mid-sized product (Fusion, Milan, Edge).So, the redesign of the Mazda6 is a big deal - and the folks over at the Car Connection have spotted the new car in disguise.
Ford's versions of the platform were stretched and the new 6 takes advantage of the extra room in the 2nd generation car seen here.
Expect stronger family resemblance to the RX-8, MX-5 (Miata), and the CX crossovers with defined front fender bulges and swoopy light clusters front and rear.Expect the new 6 to debut later this year.
Read all about it over at:
The Car Connection: 2009 Mazda6 Spied
I guess that explains the naming...new baby crossover CX-5 coming from Mazda
I wondered when Mazda brought out the CX-7 based loosely on Mazda3 components, why they went with such a high number.
Then, they brought out a Mazda6 based CX-9 (cousin to the Ford Edge) and I wondered the same thing all over again.
Now, Auto Express is showing a rendering based on the recent Hakaze concept that shows what a sub-CX-7 crossover with Mazda's new design language could look like.
Expect this to be more in line, size-wise, with the Mazda3 (the CX-7 is a bit bigger), seating for 4, comfortably, powered by a non-turbo 4-cylinder. It would be available in front or all-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic tranny. Instead of 4 conventional doors, expect a very RX-8 like treatment with suicide rear-doors offering exceptional access to the back seat.
While AE expects the CX-5 to hit the ground as a 2010 vehicle, we've been hearing from Mazda that the concepts they have shown this year would culminate with a production-ish vehicle at the end. Given that, I'd expect to see a CX-5 early in the next auto show season (which starts in September 2007). Then again, the Hakaze could have been the 'production-ish' one also.
Of course, why these crossovers aren't named CX-3, CX-6, CX-9 in keeping with Mazda tradition is beyond me.
AutoExpress.com: Baby Mazda to face Freelander
Then, they brought out a Mazda6 based CX-9 (cousin to the Ford Edge) and I wondered the same thing all over again.Now, Auto Express is showing a rendering based on the recent Hakaze concept that shows what a sub-CX-7 crossover with Mazda's new design language could look like.
Expect this to be more in line, size-wise, with the Mazda3 (the CX-7 is a bit bigger), seating for 4, comfortably, powered by a non-turbo 4-cylinder. It would be available in front or all-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic tranny. Instead of 4 conventional doors, expect a very RX-8 like treatment with suicide rear-doors offering exceptional access to the back seat.While AE expects the CX-5 to hit the ground as a 2010 vehicle, we've been hearing from Mazda that the concepts they have shown this year would culminate with a production-ish vehicle at the end. Given that, I'd expect to see a CX-5 early in the next auto show season (which starts in September 2007). Then again, the Hakaze could have been the 'production-ish' one also.
Of course, why these crossovers aren't named CX-3, CX-6, CX-9 in keeping with Mazda tradition is beyond me.
AutoExpress.com: Baby Mazda to face Freelander
It's still on its way...Caliber SRT-4
According to a chat with the SRT guys held at the CaliberForums.com site, we should be seeing SRT-4's on the streets come fall of this year (of course, assuming that Chrysler's new masters are okay with such hooligan-ism).Remember, the Caliber SRT-4 is a turbo 2.4l powered front-driver packing at least 300hp. Seeing how Mazda needed computer trickery to get the Mazdaspeed3's 260hp to flow well - it will be interesting to see how Dodge manages the trick of putting down an additional 15% over the Mazda.
It should be interesting, if not all that refined an experience.
Mazda prices Mazdaspeed 3
Take the respected Mazda3 and drop in the turbo 2.3l, direct injection 4-cylinder that has found its home in the Mazdaspeed 6 and in the new Mazda CX-7, give it standard airbags all around, standard ABS/traction control/stability control, standard tire-pressure monitoring. Give it a fancy torque management system and standard limited slip diff to keep the 250+hp and 280 lb*ft of torque from overwhelming the front tires (front drive only for the MS3)...toss on some unique front fenders, front and rear fascia, and a neat spoiler at the top of the hatch...give it the Mazdaspeed 6's 6-speed manual, standard automatic climate control, sport seats, and more...and you might expect a pretty steep starting price.You'd be wrong.
Mazda announced this week the starting MSRP for both the base (Sport in Mazda-speak) Mazdaspeed 3 as well as the Grand Touring trim level (which ads such items as automatic headlights and wipers, Xenon HID headlights and LED taillights, leather seat bolsters, Bose 6-disc CD player, a driver information center, and an anti-theft system).
Starting price for the Sport, including destination is $22800
Grand Touring bumps the price to $24515
Expect these to start showing up on dealer lots in mid-September...also expect to have a hard time getting them for MSRP.
Check out this preview drive over at Edmunds' Inside Line for even more good news:
Inside Line - Mazdaspeed 3: The World's Quickest Hot Hatch is Here