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Hybrid Mazda3 with Prius drivetrain coming soon?

December 21, 2009 at 12:25 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Mazda, Toyota

Toyota and Mazda have reached an agreement in which the hybrid champion will supply Mazda with key components used to build a hybrid car that Mazda plans to launch in 2013, according to Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun.

The deal will see Toyota provide Mazda with the motor, control system and other hybrid components from the Prius. Batteries for Mazda’s hybrid will be supplied by a joint venture set up by Toyota and Panasonic. The report also says that Mazda will probably fit all these into its Axela, which the rest of the world knows as the Mazda3.

This will be a win-win situation for both parties. For Mazda, it provides much-needed green tech (it already lags behind rivals in this area) without a huge R&D outlay that a company its size may not afford. For comparison, Mazda’s R&D spend for the financial year ending March 2010 is expected to be 92 billion yen, which is about one-eighth of Toyota’s mammoth 800 billion yen.

Toyota meanwhile should be happy with better economies of scale for its hybrid components, most of which is self-developed at high costs.

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JDM Mazda Carol based on Suzuki Alto

December 17, 2009 at 11:13 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda

Mazda Carol

We saw a concept car showcased by Suzuki with the name “Alto Concept” that looked completely different (and nicer) from the Alto that’s selling in countries like India. And today, we see that different Alto body get announced for production, but not with a Suzuki badge. The car above is the new full model change Mazda Carol and it’s essentially a badge engineered Alto, a common practice between Japanese compact carmakers.

You can have it with either a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic or a CVT transmission. There is also a 4WD CVT model as well as a 4WD 4-speed auto model, surprisingly. The sole engine option is a 660cc VVT engine. The front wheel drive CVT version is claimed to be able to achieve 24.5km per litre according to the 10-15 cycle.

This may not be relevant info for us but all variants of the Carol qualify for Japan’s eco-car tax reductions (grades with CVT or five-speed manual qualify for 75 percent reductions while 4-speed auto models get 50 percent reductions). All grades also qualify for Japan’s eco-car incentive program which has various incentives like tax incentives and etc. Compared to the bigger Mazda Axela, only 6 out of 9 Axela variants qualify for the incentive program.

Look after the jump for hi-res photos of the new Mazda Carol.
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Mazda CX-7 now officially in Malaysia

December 5, 2009 at 9:15 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mazda

mazda-cx-7

The Mazda CX-7 crossover is now officially available in Malaysia, sold at Bermaz Motor showrooms nationwide. Previously, if you wanted one, the only avenue was grey importers like Naza World. The model launched is the latest facelifted variant, which has a broad ‘smiley’ face. Click here to link back to our earlier post on the facelifted CX-7, which has all you need to know about the car.

I understand that the reason why it has took so long to arrive here is because the the CX-7′s turbocharged engine had issues working with our poor quality fuel, as told by a Mazda engineer back at the Mazda6 launch – well, that hasn’t improved by leaps and bounds, but since it’s now here, we presume the 234bhp/350Nm 2.3-litre DISI engine has no problem using Euro2 fuel. Power goes to all wheels via a 6-speed ‘Activematic’ auto ‘box.

As with Mazda’s CBU range, the CX-7′s equipment range is generous – keyless entry/stary, leather, HID headlamps and 18-inch wheels, sunroof and Bose stereo are among the standard kit. It is priced at RM248,008 excluding insurance, about RM50K below the seven-seat CX-9, which is selling pretty well.

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Mazda 2 production begins at Rayong, Thailand

October 8, 2009 at 1:47 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda

Mazda 2 Facelift

There has been talk going around for quite some time now on the possibility of the Mazda 2 being offered here in Malaysia, but this piece of news released by Mazda Japan today probably pretty much seals the fact that we will most likely see the cute little compact car on our shores sooner or later. This is because Mazda has started production of the Mazda 2 at the AutoAlliance Thailand Co Ltd manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand. The plant is a JV with Ford.

mazda2-inside

Mazda expects collective ASEAN sales to be approximately 20,000 units per year. It was not mentioned in the press release whether the sedan or hatchback version will be built but the images that accompanied the press pack showed photos of the hatchback. Not a reason to discount the sedan of course.
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Mazda to present SKY engines and transmissions at Tokyo Motorshow next month!

September 30, 2009 at 1:45 am By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, Cars, Mazda

mazda-sky-engines

Mazda will be showcasing its next generation petrol and diesel engines at the Tokyo Motorshow next month. The engines are called the SKY-G and the SKY-D respectively for the petrol and diesel versions.

The SKY-G engine is a 2.0 litre unit with direct injection and an improved variable valve timing system which gives it a 15% fuel economy and torque advantage over the current MZR engine in the Mazda 3 2.0 Sport. Direct injection was previously found only on the turbocharged 2.3 litre engine but is now available in the ‘regular’ engines.

The Mazda SKY-D engine is a 2.2 litre unit that offers fuel economy of approximately 20% better than the current 2.2 litre diesel engine. It features a newly designed engine block that reduces mechanical friction to the level of a gasoline engine. Other features include piezo injectors and a two-stage turbocharger. It doesn’t sound like its a twin-turbo setup, but instead is probably a variable geometry turbocharger.

Mazda SKY-DriveFinally, there’s a new transmission to be unveiled. After all, an engine can only do so much – the transmission plays a big factor in minimizing transmission losses and offering an optimum gearing setup for both fuel economy and power. Mazda will be premiering the Mazda SKY-Drive automatic transmission.

It’s a 6-speed automatic with a complete redesign that significantly reduces mechanical friction, a revised torque converter and clutch with minimized slip, and an optimized lock-up mechanism. Mazda says the transmission shifts faster and provides a DCT-like feel to it, but words can only say so much – a test drive will say it all!

The Tokyo show exhibit will also feature the Mazda Kiyora concept car that was shown last year. Under the Kiyora’s hood will be a 1.3 litre version of the SKY-G engine mated to a SKY-Drive 6-speed auto. Mazda claims this combination together with technologies such as the i-stop idling stop system and regenerative braking will allow the Kiyora to travel 32km per litre of fuel on the Japanese 10-15 mode test cycle.
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Mazda MX-5 Superlight: a showcar for now…

August 5, 2009 at 8:03 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Mazda

P1J04388s
P1J04389s

Click thumbnails for enlarged image

Mazda will be exhibiting the car above called the Mazda MX-5 Superlight version Show car at the Frankfurt show this September. It’s basically Mazda’s very own club racer speedster – more weight reduction, no windscreen, think Lotus 2-Eleven, Pug 207 Spider or even the expensive SLR Stirling Moss Speedster. Right now Mazda says its only a show car at the moment, and no engine details have been unveiled though its probably the standard Mazda 2.0 engine, but who knows, if the response at the show is good they might go ahead and build it. Can’t be that hard.

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Mazda MX-5 / Roadster 20th Anniversary Special Edition model revealed

August 1, 2009 at 1:09 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Mazda

The MX-5, which is also known as the Mazda Roadster in Japan is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and it’s maker, Mazda has announced a special edition model to commemorate the occasion. The Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary Special Edition, which is already available in Japanese showrooms, is based on either the RS soft-top version or the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) version of the nimble sports car.

The former comes with a 6 speed manual transmission while the latter is fitted with a 6 speed automatic. Equipment wise, the auto maker has added Recaro bucket sport seats that are finished in Black Alcantara and red leather, seat heating with five temperature settings, soft synthetic leather padding on door armrests and on the center console lid, fabric soft top with glass rear window (soft-top model only) and “20th Anniversary” badges on the the fenders.

Furthermore, there are 17-inch aluminum wheels shod with 205/45R17 84W tires, clear front fog lights and bezels as well as a front strut tower bar (cowl connecting type). The car is only available in Crystal White Pearl Mica and carries a price tag of 2,860,000 yen for the soft top version (with the manual tranny) and 3,110,000 yen for the retractable hard top version (with the automatic cog box). Both prices are inclusive of tax.

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2010 Mazda3 2.0 Sport: a sporty niche product

July 20, 2009 at 3:19 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mazda, Test Drive Reviews

Mazda 3

Ah, it’s nice to see yet another C-segment competitor here in Malaysia. The new Mazda 3 was launched about a month ago by new Mazda distributors Bermaz, part of the Berjaya group. Although it has an all-new exterior and interior, the new Mazda 3 continues to ride on an adaptation of the old car’s platform. What kind of competitor is this new sporty-looking sedan and should you buy it? We find out after the jump.
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Mazda Premacy gets updated for 2010 in Japan

July 3, 2009 at 5:44 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda

Mazda Premacy

The Mazda Premacy receives a small update in the Japanese market. What you get are new 17 inch dark grey alloy wheels, seat and door trim for the 20Z model. The 20CS model gets a new fuel economy gauge and a refreshed center panel. It’s a really small update really, but as the Premacy (known as the Mazda 5 in our market) was just facelifted in 2007 after its 2004 introduction any other exterior changes are not to be expected until a full model change arrives perhaps next year.

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Mazda 3 Sport 1.6 and 2.0 launched in Malaysia!

June 10, 2009 at 10:06 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mazda

Mazda 3

The new Mazda 3 Sport is now in Malaysia. I apologise for the delay in the launch writeup as I’ve only just managed to get the press kit. Only the sedan models with 1.6 and 2.0 engines have been launched at the moment but I am told the hatchbacks will be introduced later.

This new Mazda 3 does share some underpinings with the previous Mazda 3 sold here but sports a completely new look. At the front you of course have the smiley grille which everyone was commenting on when this model was first unveiled. Even Mazda calls this a “smiley” face grille!

Mazda 3

The side profile looks way more dynamic than the outgoing model, with a shoulderline that rises upwards instead of the flat one on the previous model. The rear end is an evolution of the outgoing car, also looking more sportier and with an obvious family resemblance to the larger Mazda 6 sedan.

The 2.0 litre model is really quite chock full of equipment. You’ve got bi-xenon headlamps (xenon for both main beam and high beam) with auto leveling, rain sensor wipers, power folding mirrors, automatic climate control, LED rear lamps, light sensor for the headlamps, and fog lamps for the exterior. The interior has an in-dash 6 CD changer, a multi-info display featuring exterior air thermometer, trip computer with speed alarm, blue mood lighting, a sliding arm rest, paddle shifters, a black-out meter cluster, leather seats and a leather steering. Both models have ABS, and the 1.6 litre model has dual front airbags while the 2.0 litre model has 6 airbags.

UPDATE: I apologize for the mistake, the Mazda 3 Sport 2.0 has 6 airbags. There are two at the front, two at the A-pillars and another two integrated into the front seats.

Mazda 3

The MID display is one of the most full-featured ones that I’ve seen at this price range and segment. It even has reminder functions for your next service as well as a built-in trip computer and reminder for tyre rotation. The seats are manually adjustable for both models, and the rear bench splits 60:40. The steering wheel is both tilt and telescopically adjustable, and runs on an electric hydraulic system.

In the engine bay, the 1.6 litre base model features a 103 horsepower inline-4 with 144Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This is mated to a 4-speed auto with a single overdrive. The 2.0 litre model produces 145 horsepower at 6,500rpm and 182Nm of torque at 4,500rpm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed auto with two overdrives, but the first overdrive has a ratio of 0.933 which is very close to 1.000.

Mazda 3

The new Mazda 3 shares the same 2,640mm wheelbase as the outgoing car. It now measures 4,580mm long, 1,75mm wide and 1,470mm tall. The 1.6 litre model has wider treads of 1,535mm at the front and 1,520mm at the rear, while the 2.0 litre model front tread is 1,530mm and 1,515mm for rear tread. The 2.0 has larger wheels naturally, measuring 205/50R17 compared to 195/65R15 for the 1.6 model.

What you lose on the 1.6 model are the CD changer, xenon headlamps, rain sensor wipers, LED tail lamps, power folding mirrors, leather steering and sports seats, trip computer with speed alarm, auto climate control, lamps on the sun visors, and the sliding arm rest.

Mazda 3

The 1.6 model is currently going for RM 111,017.50 OTR with insurance while the 2.0 litre model is going for RM 131,537.90 OTR with insurance. Mazda says these are special introductory prices for the first 100 customers only. In addition, the first 50 of these buyers will receive a maintenance package from Goodyear Tyres and Shell Lubricants.

Look after the jump for more photos of the new Mazda 3.
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