20th Anniversary of MX-5
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since Mazda first showed the world how to build a classic British sports car right. The roadster known as the Miata and MX-5 at different times and places around the world is 20 years old and to celebrate, Mazda has invited 200 examples and their owners from across Europe to a party in France next month at the 24 Hours of LeMans.
Over the course of two decades and three generations, Mazda has sold over 850,000 MX-5s and it remains one of the most entertaining roadsters available. While it’s never been the most powerful sports car and some dismiss it as a secretary’s chosen chariot, the compact, lightweight roadster has won over even the most insecure alpha males with taut handling, a balanced drivetrain and one of the simplest convertible mechanisms known to man.
European MX-5 owners who want to participate in the party should contact their national MX-5 club or Mazda France. The 200 attendees will watch the race from the Mazda camp alongside the circuit and a best in show will be awarded, along with plenty of goodies.
Filed under: General | No Comments »
// –>
2010 Mazda CX-9
The latest Mazda CX9 shows the smiley face is appearing everywhere.
Just a week after the launch of the new MX5, the latest Mazda to get the company’s new corporate “five-point” grille is the CX9.
Apart from the CX9 and MX5, the new face is spreading across the Mazda range.
It appears on the next-generation 3, due in local showrooms within days and the CX7 due later this year.
The 2010 CX9 is expected to hit local showrooms later this year, about the same time as the refreshed CX7.
Mazda is not spilling the beans on exactly what the changes are underneath, saying only that the car will get “added options and reinforced safety features”.
However, the seven-seater’s existing 3.7-litre V6 and six-speed automatic is expected to carry over.
Unlike the CX7 though, no diesel version is tipped to be added to the range.
CX9 buyers can however expect improvements in the V6’s fuel economy and a mildly updated cabin.
Visually, the new corporate grille is prominent, as are the revised foglights and lower air intake.
New larger exterior rear view mirrors and updated tail-lights complete the look.
Locally Mazda is one of the few brands that has had a good sales start this year even though its overall share has slipped almost 9 per cent.
At the launch of the new MX5 last week, Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, says he remains confident this year in the face of the 20 per cent market downturn.
He expects Mazda to continue to build its market share through the year despite overall sales volumes being down.
The arrival of the next-generation 3 hatch and sedan is expected to be a big driver.
Mazda, like other Japanese importers, has been under pricing pressure because of unfavorable exchange rates with the Japanese yen.
Filed under: Future/New Mazdas | No Comments »
2010 Mazdaspeed3 MPS
The outgoing Mazdaspeed3 had a lot going for it. The combination of a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four, six-speed manual, LSD and a practical hatch solidified its place in our hearts when it spent a week in the Autoblog Garage. While the aforementioned good stuff carries over to the redesigned 2010 model, any amount of stealth has been gobbled up by the new MPS’ gaping maw.
Output is now rated at 256 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, and the new rear fascia with its Mazda6-inspired tail-lamps and darkened lower bumper looks great in person, but the Cheshire Cat grin and bulbous hood-scoop could give pause to buyers looking to fly below the radar while hunting WRXs and GTIs.
For the 2010 model year the CX-7 is the recipient of an exterior and interior styling refresh to complement a host of engineering refinements. Leading the way is a new engine option. Making its first appearance under the hood of the CX-7 is Mazda’s all-new naturally aspirated DOHC 16-valve 2.5 litre MZR four-cylinder that produces 161 horsepower at 6000rpm and offers maximum torque of 161 lb-ft at 3500rpm. It is available with Front-Wheel Drive coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Continuing as the top engine option is the familiar MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo (direct injection DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder) engine. Output remains the same, 244 horsepower at 5,000 rpm with 258 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm.
A theme of refinement carries over to the 2010 CX-7’s Mazda-derived platform architecture by incorporating improvements in body rigidity, lower noise, vibration & harshness (NVH) levels as well as reduced wind noise. The exterior design of the 2010 CX-7 features revised front and rear fascias with the front adopting the larger five-point grille design similar in appearance to recently redesigned RX-8, MX-5 and Mazda3.
On the inside the 2010 CX-7 receives higher quality materials, a new design for the gauges including blackout meters that feature three-dimensional dials and a 3.5 inch super-twisted nematic (STN) monochrome and 4.1 inch thin-film transistor (TFT) colour Multi Information Display (MID) positioned at the top of the instrument panel to provide the driver with enhanced information. Bluetooth compatibility provides a wireless connection for Bluetooth compatible mobile phones and portable audio devices. The front seats gain a three-position memory function for the driver’s seat and a power adjustable recliner for the passenger’s seat. A Blind Spot Monitoring System, similar to the one found on the Mazda6 & CX-9 is now available to assist the driver in avoiding collisions with other vehicles when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
Final specifications, pricing, trim levels and options will be announced at a later date closer to when the 2010 CX-7 goes on sale.