Archive for Mazda

The Mazda 6 (called the Atenza in Japan) has scored the 5-star maximum rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) 2009 combined safety performance test. The 2009 performance test combines scores achieved in 4 areas – Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist and is more stringent compared to the tests of the previous years.

“Mazda6’s maximum safety rating from Euro NCAP is a reflection of the progress Mazda has made in harmonizing driving pleasure with safety and environmental performance under our Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan. Going forward, we will strive to fulfill our corporate social responsibilities by further advancing Mazda’s eco-friendly and safety technologies,” said Seita Kanai, Mazda senior anaging executive officer in charge of R&D and Program Management.

Some other Mazda vehicles have also gone through Euro NCAP testing albeit the old version of the crash test framework. The Mazda 5 and Mazda 2 were tested in 2005 and 2007 respectively and both scored 5-stars for Adult Occupant Protection rating.

Edmunds Inside Line has an insider scoop story about the future of Mazda’s rotary engine cars. According to their sources, the company is working on a new Mazda RX-7, and a next generation Mazda RX-8 is also in the works but will be called the Mazda RX-9.

What’s wrong with the RX-8 name you ask? Probably nothing, I think the change is being made to bring the naming scheme in line with what they have with the SUVs, the Mazda CX-7 and CX-9. The engine powering these new sports cars will be a production version of the RENESIS 16X, with its displacement upped to 1.6 liters thanks to dual 800cc rotors instead of the current 1.3 liter dual 654cc rotor design. Fuel economy will also be improved by 20%, much needed to help the RENESIS shed its fuel guzzler reputation.

The 16X will also be getting a twin clutch 6-speed transmission, which will finally allow automatic versions of the RX cars to rev as high as their manual counterparts, since a twin clutch transmission’s internals are more similiar to a manual gearbox than a slushbox. The only thing is with the introduction of a twin clutch, will there still be a manual version?

Mazda has given its popular CX-7 a nip and tuck so it has a matching happy smiley face that the Japanese company seems to be giving all of its models. While the huge gaping air intakes in the front bumper might be useful for the powerful 2.3L DISI Turbo version of the SUV with 244hp at 5,000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 2,500rpm, it’s probably overkill for the new 2.5 liter unit that’ll be slotted into this car, first introduced in the new Mazda 6.

The new baseline engine produces 161hp at 6,000rpm and 218Nm of torque at 3,500rpm, obviously tuned to suit an SUV application as the same unit in the Mazda 6 makes 228Nm at a higher 4,000rpm point.

Mazda says other than the obvious aesthetics changes, build quality and NVH levels for the new car has also been improved, while the interior gauges get a new blackout design and a new 3.5 inch STN monochrome and 4.1 inch TFT colour multi-info display at the top of the instrument panel to display driver information. The in-car audio now features Bluetooth for handsfree as well as music streaming. The CX-9’s blind-spot monitoring system is now available on the CX-7 as well.

Look after the jump for a few more shots of the facelifted CX-7.

Click here to read the rest of 2010 Mazda CX-7 facelift: now happier!

Mazda will be exhibiting two different versions of the Mazda 3 at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show this March. One will be the facelifted version of the powerful Mazda 3 MPS, and the other will be the Mazda 3 i-stop which will feature Mazda’s unique start-stop technology which accurately controls the positions of the pistons when the engine is turned off, and then utilizes the direct injection technology of Mazda to execute an ignition restart.

i-stop can restart the engine in just 0.35 seconds with an automatic transmission, which is shorter than a typical start-stop system. Mazda used to call this the Smart Idle Stop System, but it now receives a catchier brand name, the i-stop. As for the MPS, not much details about the engine or the car’s specifications at the moment except that it will continue to be powered by a MZR 2.3 liter DISI Turbo. Look after the jump for more angles of the new Mazda 3 MPS.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva Preview: Mazda 3 MPS and Mazda 3 i-stop

Mazda Japan has just announced the Mazda Axela Sport 1.5 Smart Edition (the Mazda 3 is called the Axela in Japan), which is over 160,000 yen cheaper than the base Axela 15C model, an obvious sales move to push the last of the Axela stock before the new 2009 Mazda 3 arrives. This version features a 1.5 liter DOHC engine mated to a 4-speed automatic, and the only additional equipment is a rear roof spoiler and an Alcantara case for you to store your vehicle inspection certificate. At 1,498,000 yen and an additional 11,860 yen recycling fee, that’s only slightly over RM 59,000!

Don’t you just love those open market price tags?

Click here to read the rest of Mazda Axela Sport 1.5 Smart Edition: now cheaper!

Mazda Biante 20S Limited

Japan must be rather big on year-end specials, or is it because of the need to clear stocks? Another Mazda vehicle that gets a limited/special/etc edition treatment is the Mazda Biante, which has two special editions – a Mazda Biante Limited Edition and a Mazda Biante NAVI Special.

The Mazda Biante 20S Limited Edition is based on the 20S but gets extra equipment such as leather on the steering wheel, dual power sliding doors and a keyless entry and start system. The Mazda Biante 20CS Limited Edition is based on the 20CS grade and gets HID headlamps, cleanable seats and leather on the steering wheel.

The Mazda Biante 20 NAVI Special is limited to 800 units and as you can probably guess from its name, adds a navigation system. This takes the previously mentioned Biante 20S Limited Edition with the power doors and etc and adds a Mazda G-BOOK Alpha-compatible HDD navigation system, that also has features such as parking assist with front, side and rear guide monitors, a DVD and CD player, an analog TV tuner with printed antenna, Bluetooth hands-free, and steering-wheel audio controls.

Has anyone seen the Biante in grey import showrooms in Malaysia yet? Given the popularity of the Toyota Alphard, it would seem Malaysians like tall roof MPVs as well.

Click here to read the rest of Mazda Biante special editions launched in Japan

Mazda will sell a special “Style Edition” of the Mazda Atenza (we know it as the Mazda 6) in Japan, based on the Atenza 20C model but with various equipment upgrades. These upgrades include LED indicators in the door mirrors, fog lamps, HID headlamps, water-repellent coating for the windows, dark tinted glass for the rear doors and rear window, 17 inch alloys wrapped with 215/50R17 tyres, leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, blackout meters, and an audio-less spec which means the speakers are there but a space is left for you to add your own head unit. Some of these features are probably available on the larger displacement model, so this special version is probably for those who do not want the larger engine but want the little gadgets that the big brother has such as the blackout meters (meters that appear black and only turn on when the car is turned on).

A whole new batch of photos and a video with driving footage were released when the 2010 Mazda 3 hatchback was unveiled to the public at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show, so check them out after the jump.

A Bologna show means European specs, which is quite different from the American range which includes large engines such as the new 2.5 liter. The European engine range tops out at 2.0 liters with 150hp and 187Nm for petrol, but the most powerful engine is the 2.2 liter turbodiesel producing 185 horses and a strong 400Nm of torque at 1,800rpm. The baseline diesel is a 1.6 liter with 109 horsepower and 240Nm of torque, while the baseline petrol is also a 1.6 liter but makes less power – only 105 hp and 145Nm of torque.

The new batch of photos also reveal more about the interior. Check out how tiny that colour LCD display for the sat-nav map display is! Our version will probably get a regular monochrome LCD display though, as we always have most of the time.

Click here to read the rest of 2010 Mazda 3 Hatchback unveiled at Bologna

Click to enlarged image

Mazda has released an initial set of photos of the 5-door hatchback version of the new Mazda 3, set to debut at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show on the 3rd of December 2008.

European customers will get a new 2.2 liter turbodiesel diesel that was added to the Mazda 6 recently, as well as the existing line-up of 1.6 liter petrol, 2.0 liter petrol and 1.6 liter turbodiesel engines. The 2.2 liter turbodiesel will be offered in two states of tune – a 150 PS version and a high-powered 185 PS version that’s enough to make the Mazda 3 a “warm hatch”, until the turbocharged petrol Mazdaspeed 3 is unveiled of course.

Head on after the jump to have a look at the hatchback’s images.

Related Posts:
Mazda releases “spyshots” of the Mazda 3 hatchback
2010 Mazda 3 Sedan: official details and photos

Click here to read the rest of First set of Mazda 3 5-door hatchback photos!

Mazda has decided to beat the spy photographers at their own game and publish these high-res high-quality photos of the upcoming hatchback version of the Mazda 3 undergoing road tests, complete with your classic taped up and covered sections.

The original Mazda 3 hatchback while having an obvious family resemblance to its sedan sibling did not share a single body panel with the sedan. You can expect the new Mazda 3 hatchback to follow its predecessor’s lead, but if we find out the front end is one and the same as the previously unveiled smiley sedan, it’s probably a sign of cost-cutting times.

Look after the jump for Mazda’s self-published “spyshots” of the Mazda 3 hatchback.

Click here to read the rest of Mazda releases “spyshots” of the Mazda 3 hatch!