Mazda
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Today, Mazda announced that the Mazda CX-50 crossover would gain a hybrid powertrain in addition to the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter and turbo-charged 2.5-liter Skyactive-G engine lineup. This new hybrid powertrain, courtesy of Toyota, mates a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors and a 1.5 kWh battery, and is estimated to achieve 38 mpg combined on regular fuel, though the EPA has yet to have its say. That's a substantial jump up from the 24 city / 30 highway / 27 combined the based gasoline model achieves. Mazda claims this could save drivers $575 a year in fuel costs and increase driving range by more than 100 miles. The system uses an integrated hybr…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Last year, Mazda brought back the rotary engine for the MX-30 EV crossover. Unlike before, the rotary engine now serves as a range extender in a serial-hybrid configuration. Mazda also showed off the beautiful Mazda Iconic SP Concept, which has a rotary engine working as a generator to charge the batteries. Now, Mazda is leaning into rotary engine technology again with a dedicated team. This "RE Development Group", previously disbanded in 2018, has 36 engineers to develop a next-generation rotary engine for EV use. The last rotary-engine Mazda was in 2012 for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM)-exclusive RX-8 Spirit R, and teased it again in the 2015 Mazda RX-Vision C…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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The much anticipated 2025 Mazda CX-70 has finally been released after a bit of a delay. The new model to the Mazda lineup, the CX-70 further moves Mazda into the premium segment. The CX-70 rides on the same rear-wheel drive platform as the new Mazda CX-90. Powered by Mazda's new 3.3-liter, turbocharged inline-6 hybrid or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid trims, the powertrain promises a smooth and effortless driving experience typically reserved for luxury-branded vehicles. While the specifications for the CX-70 haven't been released yet, in the CX-90, the power output from the mild hybrid is 280 horsepower @ 5,000 - 6,000 rpm and 332 lb-ft @ 2000 - 3,500 r…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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At the 2023 Tokyo auto show, Mazda unveiled a sports car concept. Originally named Vision Study Model, the Iconic SP, utilizes an interesting engine combination. This hybrid-rotary-powered sports car uses the twin-rotor rotary engine as a generator to recharge the batteries. Iconic SP is around 10 inches longer than Mazda’s compact Miata. Although Mazda hasn't disclosed the number of electric motors, they are the main propulsion system. As a range-extending EV, that rotary engine doesn’t drive the wheels. Iconic SP’s engine is carbon-neutral, but can use unconventional fuels such as hydrogen. We do know the Iconic SP had around 365 horsepower. This concept can also r…
Last reply by Anthony Fongaro, -
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Since the introduction of the Mazda CX-90, a smaller SUV has been in the pipeline. The CX-70 was supposed to go on sale at the end of this year but has been delayed until 2024. Mazda is aiming to offer more SUVs for American customers. This means that the CX-70 will compete alongside the CX-90 is the mid-size SUV segment. Europe already has the CX-60, and Mazda said the CX-70 is essentially the same with a wider body. CX-70 will have a shorter wheelbase than the CX-90 due to it being a two-row. Engine options should match the CX-90. This means two engines will be available. A PHEV CX-70 would have the 2.5-liter hybrid from the CX-90. Mazda’s 3.3-liter inline-s…
Last reply by Anthony Fongaro, -
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No, Regenesis is not the official name, but if it turns out it is, I’m sending an invoice to Mazda. Mazda’s stylish EV with an underwhelming range, the Mazda MX-30, has been rumored on again off again to get a rotary powered range extender since at least the Summer of 2021. The MX-30 went on sale in Europe and Japan at that time and reached California shortly after. Sales of the Mazda MX-30 in the US totaled 324 last year before they were "sold out". Sales of the MX-30 have been disappointing due to several factors. The range is an issue with only 100 miles of it, lower than the lowest range Nissan Leaf. Power output is low at 141 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft of…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Mazda has decided that i-Active AWD (all-wheel drive) is a standard across the entire CX lineup for the U.S. market, starting with the 2022 model year. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 receives the following elegant enhancements: Performance-enhancing i-Active AWD standard on all CX Models Sophisticated styling updates heightens CX-5's appeal, especially with turbo models Significant vehicle dynamic improvements to elevate the driving experience Mazda since the debut of the CX-5 a decade ago has looked to be consider a more luxury crossover than your standard Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, Ford, etc.. They did this via combining…
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Mazda and the Rotary Engine has been a "will they or will they not" since production of the RX-8 ended many moons ago. Recently, the Japanese automaker announced the engine would make a return as a range extender for the new MX-30 electric crossover. Those plans have been put on the back burner. "We are still considering using the rotary engine as a range extender, but the timing of its introduction is undecided," said Mazda spokesperson Masahiro Sakata to Automotive News. But the Japanese media tells a different story. AN says Japanese newspapers Nikkei and Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun report the rotary engine plans have been canned because it would require a larger …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Last month in the rumorpile, we reported that Mazda would be launching two new engine options for the 2021 3; a turbocharged 2.5L four and 2.0L four. Today, Mazda comfirmed the rumors with the announcement of 2021 3. The turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder is an engine we know quite well as it powers the CX-5, CX-9, and 6 sedan. Output is rated at 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft when running on 93 octane). It will come solely paired with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. This model will be positioned above the top-line Premium trim and adds such items as a heated steering wheel, enlarged exhaust tips, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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2021 is going to be a very interesting year for the Mazda3 as two more engines become available. According to separate reports from Jalopnik and Hagerty, Mazda will be dropping in the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder found in the 6, CX-5, and CX-9. The engine produces 227 horsepower on regular or 250 on premium. Like other Mazda models with this engine, the 3 will have it paired only with a six-speed automatic. Both reports say the engine will have AWD as standard. According to Hagerty's source, the engine will be available on a new trim called Premium Plus - likely taking the top spot in the 3's trim lineup. The source also confirmed this engine will not mean the ret…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda has an internal debate going on as to whether to electrify or not the next generation MX-5 Miata. One of the major concerns is keeping the car light weight. The current car in base form tips the scales at just 2,345 lbs. and is incredibly well balanced, so adding batteries and electric motors could upset that balance. Electric motors can be compact and powerful though, adding torque in places where gasoline motors are weak. In order to provide that power, they require dense and heavy battery packs. Still, if power can be added to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, it might make up for the weight increase in a st…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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The Mazda CX-9 has been on sale a few years now without many updates. For 2020 Mazda is increasing the torque of the engine and adding second row captain's chairs. The engine now will produce 320 lb.-ft of torque when running 93 octane gas and 310 lb.-ft when running on 87. That's an increase of 10 lb.-ft over the 2019 model. Horsepower rating stays the same at 250 hp on 93 octane and 227 on 87. The engine sends power to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Mazda's predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive is standard in the Signature model and available on all other trims. For 2020, the all-wheel drive system gains an off-road traction assist feature that …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Mazda currently has no EVs or Hybrids in its stable of vehicles, but that will start to change next month at the Tokyo Auto Show when Mazda unveils its first EV meant for production. Mazda recently announced that it will put a fully electric vehicle into production in 2020 and a plug-in hybrid following later. The plug-in will use a small rotary engine to recharge the battery on the go. What we don't know yet is what type of EV Mazda will be producing. If it is a small hatchback, we can chalk the potential sales up as "not many". The test mule that Mazda is using has been the new CX-30 with a 35.5 kWh battery and an electric motor good for 141 horsepower and 195 l…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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BMW is renowned for their inline 6-cylinder engines, Mercedes and Land Rover are jumping back in the game, GM has a new diesel inline 6, now add Mazda to that list. Jalopnik combed through the Mazda financial report and found references to the new engine line. Mazda is apparently working on a 6-cylinder version of their Skyactiv-X engine for use in longitudinal applications. In case you need reminding, Skyactiv-X is Mazda's spark controlled, compression Ignition technology that allows the engine to run in spark-less mode part of the time. This allows for lower emissions and higher fuel economy. One of the trade-offs is lower engine refinement when in SCCI mode. N…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Mazda has some big ambitions with the upcoming 2019 3 and that is reflected in the pricing. The model will now start at $21,895 for the sedan and $24,495 for the hatchback - includes an $895 destination charge. For those keeping track, the 2019 3 sedan is $2,905 more expensive than the 2018 sedan, whereas the 2019 hatchback is $4,255 more than the 2018 model. The reason for the higher price tag is due to the 2019 model being only offered with the 2.5L four-cylinder producing 186 horsepower and six-speed automatic. A 2.0L SkyActiv-X compression-ignition engine will be joining the lineup later in the year and possibly help drop the price somewhat. Those wanting a manua…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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In a few weeks time, Mazda will be revealing to the next-generation Mazda3 compact which will sport the automaker's new Skyactiv-X powertrain. This new powertrain uses compression ignition that allows for improved fuel economy and emissions. But that's not all according to Automotive News. Akira Marumoto, Mazda Motor Corp. CEO revealed that Skyactiv-X would be tamed with a mild-hybrid system. Not many details were provided except that the system would feature a lithium-ion battery pack. The mild-hybrid setup will provide "spirited, linear acceleration without hesitation or hiccups" according to Marumoto. "After driving just 20 or 30 meters, you notice the differ…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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It is no secret that Mazda is planning to bring over the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder from the CX-9 and Mazda6, considering the various leaked documents that have come out in the past few months and the announcement of the Japanese market version. Now, new documents have come to light revealing that the U.S. variant will get the turbo engine, along with some other key changes. The leaked "Product Information Bulletin" reveals the turbo engine (227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque) will be available on two new trims - Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. Somewhat surprising, the engine will not be available on the Grand Touring like on the 6. All-wheel drive will be stan…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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"A New Era Begins November 2018" is the title of video that Mazda has uploaded to their YouTube channel. The sixteen-second video provides brief glimpses of two vehicles. One is a close up of the rear with a sharply raked c-pillar, while the other is a side profile shot. A number of people believe this is our first glimpse of the next-generation Mazda3 - mostly due to elements of the Kai Concept showing up. That title also hints at a big change coming with the next-generation 3. The Skyactiv-X powertrain with homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) will be available. HCCI allows a gas engine to use compression to ignite the fuel. This allows for better efficie…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda has introduced a number of key changes for the Japanese-market CX-5 for 2019. Those changes include the addition of the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder from the CX-9 crossover and recently refreshed Mazda6. It produces 227 horsepower (increases to 250 when Premium fuel is used) and 310 pound-feet of torque. There is also the introduction of G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) that adds a braking function to improve traction and handling. The interior looks to get a new climate control system and new instrument cluster. Normally, we wouldn't talk about changes for models outside of the U.S. But there are some good reasons as to why we're talking about the Jap…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda is the latest automaker to announced plans for electrify its entire lineup and it will involve the return of the rotary engine. By 2030, five percent of Mazda vehicles will be pure electric and range extender models. The rest will have combustion engines with some sort of electrification. "We've seen drastic changes in automotive-related environmental policies all over the world. We at Mazda are keeping an eye on what is going on in the industry as we move forward with our strategy," said Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto. The push begins in 2019 with a mild-hybrid model, followed by a electric vehicle that is being developed in-house according to Automotive News…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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A user on Reddit posted today an image showing an internal document from Mazda Canada detailing some of changes coming to the 2019 CX-5. The highlights mention that the CX-5 will be getting the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder from the CX-9, G-Vectoring Control Plus (we're assuming this is updated version of the system); changes to the exterior, the top-line Signature trim becoming available, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mention of the turbo engine confirms a CAFE document we reported back in June listing the 2019 CX-5 with the turbo engine. If you're wondering about the trims, that's for Mazdas sold in Canada - they won't changing t…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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It seems like ages since Mazda announced plans to bring over a diesel engine. Many things have transpired since then with various delays and the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal. While the company said the diesel engine was still in the cards, we started to think it was as real as bigfoot or the loch ness monster. But the engine is one step closer to reality as the EPA has posted the fuel economy figures for the CX-5 diesel. For the front-wheel variant, the CX-5 diesel will return 28 City/31 Highway/29 Combined. All-wheel drive see a slight drop to 27/30/28. Major improvement over gas model, right? Not really. The FWD gas model does trail the diesel in the city by …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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When we drove the Mazda CX-5 towards the end of last year, we found ourselves wishing that either the long-delayed turbodiesel or possibly the 2.5: turbo-four from the CX-9 would grace the engine. The 2.5L four-cylinder does ok around town, but really struggles when more speed is needed. It seems our wish could be coming true. The Truth About Cars obtained a certification document from the California Air Resources Board for the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder. In the document, it lists the 2019 CX-9 and CX-5 offering this engine. It would give the CX-5 a nice power boost as the turbo-four produces 227 horsepower (250 horsepower on premium fuel) and 310 pound-feet of …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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For the past few months, we have been hearing about some key changes to the Mazda MX-5 Miata; more power from the four-cylinder engine, new safety features, and a telescoping steering wheel. Mazda has been using the "can't comment at this time" when asked about these changes. Today, the Japanese automaker finally confirmed the changes. Under the hood lies a reworked 2.0L Skyactiv-G producing 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque - up 26 and 3 respectively. A higher redline of 7,500 rpm complements the added power. To pull this off, Mazda made a number of changes to the engine which include, Lighter pistons and connecting rods Reconfigured intake p…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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The past months has brought some interesting rumors to light on the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata. In March, a NHTSA document came to light that revealed the 2019 model would produce 181 horsepower from its 2.0L four-cylinder. A month later, a leaked document from a Canadian Mazda dealer confirmed the horsepower rating, along with some much wanted features such as a telescoping steering wheel. Recently, Japanese outlet Car Watch had the chance to drive the updated 2019 MX-5 Miata for the Japanese market - called the Roadster. In their first drive report, they confirmed a number of details we have reported previously. For starters, the 2.0L has seen power boosted from 155 to …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Remember how Mazda planned on launching the diesel option for the CX-5 in the second half of last year. Nothing came of that and we were left scratching our heads as to why. Was the engine in limbo with the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board? Had Mazda decided to throw in the towel? It seems to be the former. Green Car Reports obtained an engine certification document from CARB dated April 13th approving Mazda's diesel engine. Getting this certification in California after the mess that was the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal is quite impressive and will likely make it easier to get through the EPA certification. A Mazda spoke…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Last month, we reported in the rumorpile that the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata could be packing more power - 181 to be exact. A new report from Road & Track has a couple more details on the engine of the 2019 MX-5 Miata, along with some other tidbits. A leaked document from a Mazda dealer in Canada made its way on to the Miata.net forum (which has been taken down at the time of this writing). According to R&T, the document confirms that the 2019 MX-5 Miata will produce 181 horsepower from a 2.0L four-cylinder. We also learned that torque sees a small bump from 152 to 155 pound-feet. The 2.0L in question will come with a number of new parts including “ultra-lig…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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There will always be those who want more power in whatever they are driving. Take for example the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Its 2.0L four-cylinder produces 155 horsepower. We found it to be more than enough for driving fun, but there are those who think more power will make it better. It seems their wish could be coming true. Road & Track uncovered a VIN notice sent by Mazda to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that reveals the 2019 MX-5 Miata will a 2.0L four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower - up 26 from the current model. The question is how Mazda could reach that number. A journalist on Twitter posted a possible clue, saying the engine will f…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda hasn't even put their Skyactiv-X technologies into production and already they are talking about the next-generation known as Skyactiv-3. Automotive News reports that Mazda's powertrain chief Mitsuo Hitomi said the gasoline version of Skyactiv-3 will have the same emission levels as an electric vehicle. Hitomi told attendees of automotive technical conference in Toyko that Mazda will be working on improving the thermal efficiency of its engines. This reduces the "amount of combustion energy lost to heat while increasing the amount harnessed to power the wheels." If Mazda can improve the thermal efficiency by 27 percent, to 56 percent, Hitomi said it could …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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China will soon be introducing regulations where automakers have to sell a certain amount of electric vehicles. This has caused a number of automakers to introduce new models and plan new alliances. The Nikkei Asian Review reports that Mazda is planning to develop a new electric vehicle with their Chinese partner, Changan Automobile Group. The model is expected to be an SUV. Changan will provide the majority of the electric drivetrain while Mazda will produce the bodies. Mazda and Changan have been in a 50:50 joint-venture partnership since 2012, but the two have been working together since the 2000s. Currently, the venture builds the CX-3, CX-5, and Axela hatch…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda is continuing their upward push to make their vehicles more premium. Case in point is the updated 6 with the option of a turbo-four and improved interior. What could be next? It might be offering all-wheel drive. According to CarAdvice, Mazda North America Operations' president and CEO Masahiro Moro said there is growing demand to offer an AWD option for the 3 and 6. There is the precedent for this as Mazda offers AWD variants of both models in certain markets. But there is a catch. “I think we are not able to combine four-wheel drive and the 2.5-litre turbo. We have a layout issue with the sedans, that’s why a four-wheel drive isn’t deployed on the Mazda …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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In a recent interview with Automotive News, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai revealed that the company is working on an all-new crossover designed and built exclusively in the U.S. "We are actually going to introduce a totally new and different type of SUV. R&D is coordinating with our North American operations on that right now," said Kogai. He said the new model would slot into Mazda's current crossover lineup (CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9) and would not cannibalize the sales of any of the current models. Production will begin in 2021 at a plant that will be a joint venture between Mazda and Toyota. Mazda is planning to dedicate its entire capacity of 150,000 vehicles fo…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Despite announcing and getting ready to launch their SkyActivX compression ignition engines, along with an electric vehicle, Mazda will still be working on diesel engines for the coming future. “There is a benefit to keep developing the diesel engine. Because when we put the engine on a big vehicle, the big vehicle needs big torque as well and if you look at the diesel engine it can produce the large torque, so we still believe the diesel engine has advantages,” said Ichiro Hirose, Mazda's managing executive officer of powertrain and vehicle development to CarAdvice. “There is actually huge room for further improvement in diesel engines. [Such as] refining of th…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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There is a small group of enthusiasts that want to see the return of the rotary engine in a Mazda vehicle, preferably in a performance. We have reported on various rumors and news stories talking about the rotary engine making a comeback and then being shelved for one reason or another. It now seems the engine making a return, but not in the way many were hoping for. Speaking with Automotive News, Mazda's global powertrain head Mitsuo Hitomi said the engine would be used as a range-extender for an upcoming EV. A rotary engine is perfect for this application due to its compact size and providing enough juice to charge a battery. Akira Kyomen, Mazda's program mana…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda confirmed last year that the CX-5 crossover would be arriving with the option of a diesel engine sometime in the second half of this year. We're three months into the second half of 2017 and nothing has popped up. Mazda has also been keeping quiet on the CX-5 diesel. So low and behold our surprise when Car and Driver caught a prototype running around Michigan. How do we know its the diesel? The tachometer has a redline of 5,500 rpm and there is single tailpipe - the standard CX-5 comes with dual exhaust tips. As Car and Driver notes, this test vehicle has a Bosch sticker on the windshield. This likely hints that Bosch is doing some testing for Mazda. They're kn…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda could do something that no other automaker has been able to do, introduce a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine for a production model. Today in Tokyo, Mazda held a news conference announcing their Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 initiative. The gist is to improve overall efficiency while retaining the fun-to-drive nature of their vehicles. The big announcement during this news conference is the introduction of the Skyactiv-X engine which features HCCI - something we first heard about back in January. HCCI engines are like diesel engines where they use compression and not spark to ignite the fuel. This allows for better fuel economy and emission…
Last reply by William Maley, -
Back in January, we reported on the rumor that Mazda was planning to launch a Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine for the 2018 Mazda3. HCCI engines are unique as they use compression, not spark to ignite gasoline. This will improve fuel economy and emissions. But the thing about HCCI engines is that automakers will produce prototypes and say they'll be coming within the new few years, and then nothing happens. We have some new details about Mazda's plan to debut their new HCCI engine. According to Motoring, Mazda will debut the engine at a technology forum in Frankfurt later this month. Reportedly, the engine will feature spark plugs to ignite the f…
Last reply by William Maley, -
It may seem the internal combustion engine is on the last ropes as various automakers begin to put more efforts into electric vehicles and countries announcing bans on the sale of vehicles with these engines. But Mazda isn't willing to give it up with a fight. Robert Davis, Mazda North America Operations' senior vice president for special assignments told attendees at CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan this week that the “impending death of the internal combustion engine is overrated.” “We certainly considered the adoption of new technologies, like battery electric vehicles, plug-ins, hybrids and the like Before we go to the time, effor…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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While some automakers are running away from diesel power, others such as Mazda are jumping into it. Later this year, Mazda will launch a diesel engine for the redesigned CX-5. The company has set an ambitious goal having the diesel engine make up at least 10 percent of U.S. sales of the CX-5. “CX-5 will be a very good indicator for us to understand where we have the opportunity and what kind of people come to buy those new technologies,” said Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Masahiro Moro. When it goes on sale, the diesel engine will only be available on the top-line Grand Touring trim. Moro said the diesel engine could trickle down to other CX-…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Later this month, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 will begin arriving at dealers in the U.S. Before this happens, Mazda has revealed the pricing for the upcoming crossover. The base CX-5 Sport will carry a price tag of $24,985 (includes a $940 destination charge). All CX-5s will come equipped with a 2.5L SkyActiv-G four-cylinder and six-speed automatic (sorry, no manual transmission is on offer for this generation). The 2.5 produces 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while Mazda's i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system adds $1,300 to the base price. The CX-5 Sport comes decently equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, Smart City…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda is in the process of trying to position themselves as a premium brand that you can actually afford. Autoblog had the chance to speak with Jacques Flynn, a lead exterior designer, and Jacob Brown, a PR representative for Mazda. A key part of Mazda's premium plans is their Kodo design language. Flynn explained that Mazda will be simplifying and evolving the look of Kodo on their various models. A key example is the recently introduced second-generation CX-5. Compared to the outgoing model, the new CX-5 features fewer curves to make it look tauter. Diesel will also play a key part in Mazda's premium ambitions. Brown explained that diesel has the air of prem…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Homogeneous charge compression ignition or HCCI engines are a unique prospect - use compression to ignite gasoline, like in a diesel vehicle. This allows for better fuel economy and lower emissions. A number of automakers have built prototypes and said they would be putting them into production down the road, but it has never happened. That may change in the near future. The Nikkei Asian Review reports that Mazda will be launching an HCCI engine for the 2018 Mazda3 (Axela in Japan). This will be part of Mazda's second-generation of SkyActiv technologies to improve fuel economy. According to the report, the engine could give certain Mazda3 models a fuel economy figure…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda is the latest automaker to announce that it will be building an electric vehicle. Speaking with CarAdvice, Mazda's head of research and development, Kiyoshi Fujiwara revealed that the company would be building an EV, but for only select markets such Norway. “Of course we need EVs. As you know, in Norway, the complete energy source is water… this means that EV is much better for CO2 in Norway. But not in United States or China… Therefore we are focusing on ICE, but some regions we need EV, so therefore in 2019 [or] in that time frame we will introduce EV where it is needed in the world.” For other markets, Mazda will keep their focus on internal-combustion …
Last reply by William Maley, -
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We have been reporting on the saga that is Mazda's SkyActiv-D for the U.S. since the company announced it back in 2012. But it seems there is a closing to this long story. The Nikkei Asian Review has learned from sources that Mazda will be launching the diesel option for the U.S. next year. Sources explained that the company had finally cleared environmental regulations in the U.S. As we have reported previously, Mazda was having issues with their engines not making the power they wanted when they met regulations. It seems odd that Mazda is still going forward with their diesel plans in light of the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal. But the company, like GM believe…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Mazda has dropped a teaser picture of the 2017 CX-5 crossover that will be debuting at the LA Auto Show next month. The key item we can tell you is that the vehicle will be offered in red. Okay, we are being slightly snarky here. There are some details we can pull out once we have done slight tweaks to the photo (which you can check out in the gallery below). The CX-5 will be taking some details from the larger CX-9 such as longer front end, new grille and headlight treatment, and a revised greenhouse. We'll have more details on the 2017 CX-5 in the coming weeks. Source: Mazda Press Release is on Page 2 All-New 2017 Mazda CX-5 to Premiere at Los Angeles …
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Earlier this month, Mazda revealed the updated 2017 3 and 6. Now, Mazda has announced pricing for the 2017 Mazda that will be hitting dealers next month. The 2017 Mazda6 will have a base price of $22,780 (includes a $835 destination charge) for Sport with a manual transmission. Compared to the 2016 model, the 2017 6 is about $450 more. If you want an automatic, you'll have to pony up $23,830. Standard equipment includes Mazda's G-Vectoring Control that alters power deliver when turning to improve handling; 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, backup camera, 7-inch screen with the MazdaConnect infotainment system, and Bluetooth. The midlevel Touring trim kicks …
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If there was one vehicle that surprised everyone at the New York Auto Show this year, it would have to be the introduction of the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. Everyone figured Mazda would offer a hardtop option for the Miata, but not as a sharp looking fastback. Today, Mazda has announced plans to offer a Launch Edition of the Miata RF. The vehicle that rolled into the New York Auto Show came with a Machine Grey exterior, black roof panel. and an interior finished in Auburn nappa leather. That is how the 1,000 MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition models will come finished. The only choice a buyer gets to make is what transmission - automatic or manual? Now not everyone will be ab…
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Mazda has announced the Mazda3 and Mazda6 will be refreshed for the 2017 model year. The big news with this refresh is the introduction of the G-Vectoring Control. This system monitors steering and throttle input and will reduce engine power in cornering. This is to shift vehicle weight to help with grip. It is unknown if this will come standard or optional on either model. The Mazda3 gets a more extensive refresh out of the two with a new front fascia design, LED headlights, a new rear bumper for the hatchback, and new choices in colors and wheels. The interior gets an electric parking brake and larger front door pockets. The Mazda6 now features the option of hea…
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The Mazda CX-5 is now the oldest crossover in their lineup. But Mazda has some big plans for the next-generation model. A spy photographer caught a CX-5 mule filling up at a California gas station. The mule was heavily camouflaged, but we're able to pull some key details about the design. The first is that the CX-5 will be taking some design ideas from the larger CX-9. For example, the front end features narrower headlights and a more pronounced grille surround. The back of the roof also appears to have a sharper slant. We wouldn't be surprised if Mazda brings some premium materials and design to the CX-5's interior, along with more advanced driver assistance sys…
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Mazda has been leading the pack when it comes to fuel economy. This year, the Japanese automaker became the first non-electric automaker to reach 100 percent compliance with the 2016 CAFE standards (fleet average of 34.1 mpg). Mazda credits their Skyactiv technologies of pulling this feat off. But future standards may put Mazda in a difficult spot. During a roundtable last week, Masahiro Moro, CEO of Mazda North American Operations said meeting CAFE standards for 2025 will be very tough. “For 2021, we are very confident we will meet the CAFE standards. 2025 is another story because the requirement level is very, very high,” said Moro. At the time of the roundt…
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The Mazda6 is the outlier in the midsize sedan class as it only offers one engine, a 2.5L Skyactiv-G with 184 horsepower. If you want something more powerful, you'll need to look at another vehicle. But some comments made by Mazda North America's vehicle development engineer has some people speculating about a more powerful Mazda6. Speaking with CarAdvice, Mazda's Dave Coleman said turbo 2.5L used in the new CX-9 crossover can fit into the Mazda6 and even the Mazda3. “It fits in a lot of our cars, and where we’re actually going to put it is another question. It fits in the same package as the diesel fits in, and the same package that the naturally-aspirated 2.5-li…
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Mazda's diesel engine for the U.S. is slowly becoming an urban legend in the automotive world. Originally planned to launch in 2013, numerous delays have caused people to wonder if this engine would ever come out. Now with the Volkswagen diesel scandal hanging over and causing a number of automakers to reconsider diesel vehicles for the U.S., Mazda says its still committed. Speaking with Automotive News, Mazda's senior vice president for U.S. operations Robert Davis said diesel is still on the table. Diesel would not only boost the impressive fuel-economy numbers that Mazda's current lineup gets, it would also differentiate them from other Japanese rivals and align it…
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If you were hoping for a Mazdaspeed version of the 3 or 6, we have some bad news. Australian outlet Motoring reports that Mazda has shelved plans for new Mazdaspeed (MPS known elsewhere in the world) models for the time being. Mazda's North American president and CEO Masahiro Moro explained that the company is focused on developing the second-generation of the Skyactive technologies. “Our research and development department is 100 per cent focussed on delivering SKYACTIV generation two and if we don’t have this we don’t have any other derivatives,” said Moro. “So let us focus on delivering SKYACTIV generation two, then we are building on that to come up with (perf…
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Last October, Mazda revealed the RX-Vision concept. This concept featured a brand new rotary engine called SkyActiv-R. At the time, Mazda was keeping quiet on specifics of the engine. But it showed that Mazda was working on a next-gen rotary. Now, we have some clues as to the SkyActiv-R. autoevolution found a patent application filed by Mazda last fall and published last month by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. The drawings in the application show the engine turned 180 degrees with the exhaust port on top and intake port on the bottom. This repositioning allows for minimal turbo lag thanks to the short distance from the exhaust port to the turbo. It also allows …
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Mazda has another crossover waiting in the wings as two sets of spy shots from China show us. This new crossover's name is currently being debated by various websites as to call it the CX-4, CX-6, or CX-7. What we can tell you is this CX crossover looks to be a production version of the Mazda Koeru concept shown in Frankfurt last year. Comparing the various spy shots to pictures of the Koeru concept reveal Mazda has kept a lot of the concept's design for the production model. Such details as the front end that is similar to the CX-3 and CX-5 to the sharply raked rear end are present. Inside looks like every other Mazda with the same center stack design and control kno…
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Mazda's North American office will be getting a new CEO early next year, and he believes that crossovers will bring good things to the brand. Masahiro Moro, currently Mazda's global sales and marketing executive and soon to be the CEO of Mazda' North American office in January told Automotive News that to build up customer loyalty and profits for the brand, they would need to increase sales of their crossovers. Currently, Mazda relies heavily on the Mazda3 for sales in North America. While popular, margins on the were very tight. Also, customers who bought the 3 tended to go to other makes when getting a new vehicle. "Loyalty is very low historically. With the…
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One of the big unknowns in recent automotive history is the status of the Mazda Skyactiv-D engine. First shown in 2011, Mazda said it would be going into production in a couple of years time. Then the delays started to pop up with Mazda stating it wanted to get "the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving performance." Now with the Volkswagen diesel scandal taking the spotlight, many are wondering what is the fate of Mazda's diesel engine. Our last report earlier this month had a comment from Mazda saying they are still at work on the engine, but no timeline could be given as for when it would be launched. Reuters spoke with Kiyoshi Fujiwa…
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Mazda's Skyactiv diesel engine has been rocky since it was first announced back in 2011. The automaker was planning on having it available on one of their vehicles starting in 2013. But since then, Mazda has pushed back the launch again and again, citing the reason of delivering "the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving performance." But in light of the Volkswagen cheating emissions on their diesel vehicles, a few people are questioning whether or not Mazda will go forward with their diesel plans. “It’s been delayed and delayed, and Mazda keeps saying it’s coming. At this point, I don’t understand why they would need a diesel for this m…
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Mazda has something special for the Tokyo Motor Show in November. The automaker has released a teaser shot showing off of a sports car concept. From the image, we can tell there is a long hood and a flowing roofline. Mazda says the concept appears to "almost to condense Mazda's entire history of sports car development into a single model." Source: Mazda Press Release is on Page 2 Mazda to Unveil New Sports Car Concept at Tokyo Motor Show Japan-debut of Mazda KOERU and racing-spec Mazda Roadsters among fourteen models on display HIROSHIMA, Japan, Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of a new sports car co…
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The oldest model in Mazda's lineup is the seven-seat CX-9 crossover, but that will be changing in the near future. The first spy shots of the next-generation CX-9 have been caught while undergoing some testing. The photos show the CX-9 looking like a Mazda3 hatch that has been enlarged by 300 percent. Such details as the five-point grille, sculpted body, and flowing rear end are present. If the recent trend of Mazda's interiors is any indication, expect an impressive looking interior with seating up for seven people. In terms of power, rumor has it that the CX-9 will use a turbocharged SkyActiv four-cylinder. We could be seeing the next Mazda CX-9 debut later …
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The next-generation Mazda2 won't be arriving on our shores anytime soon. Automotive News reports that cheap gas prices and tight supply of vehicles coming from Mazda's new factory in Salamanca, Mexico has caused Mazda's North American arm to pass on the 2 for the time being. "We could have had it, but we would have had a number that didn't make much sense with 600 dealers and with the marketing it takes to launch a new car. I wanted to allocate resources to those products that make us and our dealers considerably more profit than a Mazda2 does," said Robert Davis, senior vice president of U.S. operations at Mazda. The current Mazda2 was never a big seller for …
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For the decade and a half, the 'Zoom-Zoom' tagline instantly conjures up Mazda. But there's one problem with it; everyone has their own interpretation of it. Mazda hopes to rectify it with the introduction a new marketing campaign in the U.S. with the tagline of 'Driving Matters'. "When we go into a focus group, we do a first opening statement. 'When I say Mazda, what do you think of?' Nine times out of 10 they say 'Zoom Zoom,'" he added, banging a table for emphasis. "Then I'll ask them to explain to me what 'Zoom Zoom' means, and I'll get 6 or 7 different answers. That's what Driving Matters is supposed to address. It's supposed to solidify what 'Zoom Zoom' means to pe…
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So we know that the Mazda MX-5 Miata will either use a 2.0L Skyactiv-G for markets outside of North America or a 2.5L Skyactiv-G for North America. But a report from Motoring.com.au says there is a more powerful Miata in the cards. "We will have this ND-series model for maybe ten years, which gives us plenty of time to make many variants. And yes, a turbocharged or MPS variant is one of the options we will definitely consider," said Kudo Hidetoshi, Mazda's head of global public relations. Why turbocharging and not using a larger displacement Skyactiv engine? It would allow Mazda to keep some of the weight loss and 50:50 weight distribution. "[Generally speaking] turboc…
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It has been awhile since we heard anything on Mazda's Skyactiv-D engine due for Mazda6 sedan. Our last report back in January stated the automaker was still at work on delivering "the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving performance." Well Mazda North American Operations' CEO, Jim O'Sullivan had the chance to sit down with Automotive News to give an update on where they stand on the Skyactiv-D engine project. "We're still very much committed to diesel. We are still working on getting the performance aspects up to where we want them, and we do have a plan -- an engineering road map -- to get it done," said O'Sullivan. Originally, Mazda was pla…
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Mazda is planning an expansion of the 6 family with the introduction of a coupe. Auto Express reports that the Japanese automaker is planning to launch a 6 Coupe in 2016. Styling will be a more dramatic version of the current Kodo design language, possibly taking some more ideas from the Shinari Concept that was shown a few years back. Motor Trend follows up this report with talk of a range of Mazdaspeed models coming in the near future. First up is the next-generation Mazdaspeed3. The model is expected to pack a turbocharged 2.5L SkyActiv four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Also in the pipeline is Mazdapeed versions of the Mazda2 and 6. Source: Auto…
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Yesterday, the internet was abuzz with the rumor of Mazda debuting the CX-3 at the L.A. Auto Show next month. Last night, the Japanese automaker confirmed the rumor. We have been reporting on rumors of this subcompact crossover for the past year or so. We know that the CX-3 will utilize the new Mazda2's underpinnings. It also looks like it will share some design aspects of the new 2 judging from a sketch released by the company. Other details are being kept under wraps till the model debuts next month. Mazda also plans to show off a refreshed CX-5 at the show. Source: Mazda William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@che…
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The wait is finally over. Last night at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Mazda introduced the forth-generation MX-5 Miata to the world. Details on the ND MX-5 Miata are very slim, but there are a few details that Mazda has revealed. For one, the new MX-5 Miata comes in 220 pounds less than NC model it replaces. For those keeping track, that means the ND will likely have a curb weight somewhere around 2,200 pound range. Mazda's Kodo design language is also very present here with a mix of flowing lines and sharp angles, and a wide, low stance. What powers this generation of the MX-5 Miata is being kept quiet. But according to Mazda, the new MX-5 Miata features the full suite of…
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Compact crossovers are currently the hot thing in the automotive marketplace, and it won't be too long before subcompact crossovers become the next big thing. We've been hearing for the past year or so that Mazda is working on a subcompact crossover possibly named the CX-3. Now a Mazda executive has given a hint that its coming very soon. “There’s opportunity there [in the compact SUV segment], absolutely. We’ve made it clear that it’s an area we’d like to be represented in," said Mazda Australia boss Martin Benders to The Motor Report. When asked if the upcoming model was still a ways away, Benders responded, “Oh, it’s not that far away”. The CX-3 is expected to use …
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Mazda announced today that on September 3rd, the fourth-generation MX-5 Miata will be shown. The covers will come off simultaneously at three different events in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. The U.S. event will be held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. "We're excited to make this official, to announce that the newest member of the MX-5 Miata family will be arriving soon. Along with our colleagues around the world, we continue to celebrate the MX-5's 25th anniversary and look forward to sharing even more news in the near future," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). Not much is known about the next-generati…
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We have to say when Mazda announced that diesel engine would be available on the new Mazda6 midsize, our interest was very piqued. A midsize sedan that could give the Volkswagen Passat TDI a run for its money and fun to drive? Where do we sign up? But unfortunately, the Mazda6 diesel has been delayed again. Back in September, Mazda announced that the release date for Mazda6 diesel was pushed back to next spring due to certification testing taking longer than expected. Now the company has delayed the engine once again. In a short press release, Mazda announced that the engine needs more development "to deliver the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate d…
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Mazda's SkyActiv powertrains are showing what innovations can do to the good-ole' internal combustion engine. But that doesn't mean the automaker isn't resting on its laurels. Far from it. Automotive News reports that Mazda has some big plans in store for the next two-generations of SkyActiv. First up is SkyActiv 2. Mazda has set an ambitious goal of increasing fuel economy by 30 percent. To pull this off, engineers will increase the compression ratio from 14:1 to 18:1. SkyActiv 2 will also employ homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) which uses high compression and temperature to ignite fuel for combustion. Now implementing HCCI does bring forth a set of challe…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 26, 2013 Some sad news for those hoping for another Mazda vehicle with the rotary engine. Masa-michi Koga, Mazda's new CEO tells Automotive News that for the rotary engine to become commercially viable, Mazda would need to sell around 100,000 vehicles a year. "No plans now. It has to be a viable commercial proposition. If we are going to adopt it, it has to be a product that can generate at least sales of 100,000 units a year. We have to be able to achieve a profit," said Kogai. Since Mazda pulled the plug on the RX-8 last year, rumors and speculation has been running rampant. Within the past few months, Mazda'…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 4, 2013 A new report from Edmunds says Mazda's middle and senior-ranking engineers are pushing for the revival of rear-wheel drive models for the brand. The reasoning for this is that is would let the brand become more in line with the MX-5 and RX coupes and provide an edge for the automaker. However, Mazda's top management is resistant to the idea since the cost of developing new platforms is too high and their current crop of new vehicles is doing very well. Edmunds does float out the idea of Mazda extending their partnership with Alfa Romeo. The two are currently working on a roadster that will spawn the next…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 14, 2013 Mazda made big news last year when they announced that the 2014 Mazda6 would be coming with diesel engine sometime next year. Now, Mazda has postponed the launch of the Mazda6 diesel to next April. Automotive News got their hands on a letter from Mazda North American Operations' senior vice president of U.S. operations, Robert Davis. Davis told employees in the letter that emissions testing on the 2.2L SKYACTIV-D engine is taking longer than thought. "I know we had discussed it being in showrooms before the end of the year, and everyone involved in the program is disappointed it will not be, but final…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 12, 2013 A new report from Autocar says that Mazda plans to have three crossovers in its lineup by 2016. This information comes from Mazda president Takashi Yamanouchi. The first crossover is of course the CX-5. Joining alongside it are a full-size crossover, most likely the next or replacement to the CX-9; and a small crossover. The small crossover will be a new model and look much different than the current CX-5 according to sources. Source: Autocar William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonste…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 18, 2013 Its been over a year since we last reported on Mazda's rotary engine plans. At last check, Mazda was hard at work on it. A new report from Autoblog says the next rotary engine, named 16X is coming very soon. An insider told Autoblog that the 16X rotary engine will be coming within the next two years in a new model. The insider also said the 16X would be addressing many of the concerns that have plagued rotary engines before. "The key to both higher torque and better fuel consumption, is creating a longer stroke engine." Okay, this is a rotary engine we are talking about with a triangle rotor and a uniqu…
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By Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com July 26th, 2013 Mazda is bringing the first diesel to compete at Indy in over 60 years and the first ever to compete in the Brickyard 400 race established in 1994. The last time a diesel powered race car ran on the Indy speedway was when a Cummins Diesel Special ran in 1952. Mazda will be razing a Mazda6 Skyactiv-D Clean Diesel with an engine over 51% stock. The engine is a 2.2 liter, direct injected turbo-diesel producing 400 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 445 lb-ft of torque at 3600rpm. Mazda is counting on the fuel efficiency of diesel technology to result in less need to pit and refuel the car. It appears to be work…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 24, 2013 Mazda has announced fuel economy numbers and pricing for the new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan today. We'll start with the fuel economy numbers. The base 2.0L SKYACTIV-G inline-four in the sedan will get 29 City/41 Highway with the six-speed manual and 30 City/41 Highway with the six-speed automatic. Hatchback models see 29 City/40 Highway with the manual and 30 City/40 Highway with the automatic. The step-up engine is the 2.5L SKYACTIV-G and six-speed automatic which gets 28 City/39 Highway or 29 City/40 Highway with the company's i-Eloop regenerative braking system on the sedan. The hatchback gets 28…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 17, 2013 The current Mazdaspeed3 is a bit of a wild and crazy car thanks to its turbocharged, 2.3L four-cylinder with 263 horsepower. With the next-generation Mazda3 coming around the corner, the talk about the next-generation Mazdaspeed3 is heating up. Auto Express reports that the next-generation Mazdaspeed3 could forgo the turbocharger and go with a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. This comes from a senior engineer who said the Mazda 3 MPS (what Mazda calls the Mazdaspeed3 in Europe) is likely to return “but not as you would expect”. He then went onto say the 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine could be modified to p…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 12, 2013 Mazda has been know to be a bit different than other automakers. Case in point is their SKYACTIV Technologies inative. Instead of following most automakers with hybrids and electric vehicles, Mazda is extracting as much efficiency as they can from standard gas and diesel engines, and doing some very clever enginnering. In fact Mazda says for the time being, they are going to pass on hybrids and electrics. "While downsizing can be an effective method for reducing emissions, adding an electric boost often merely offsets the loss in power from reduced displacement. We want to make sure our engines are optimall…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 28, 2013 When the 2014 Mazda3 was unveiled on Wednesday, it was announced that it would come with two SKYACTIV-G engines for the the U.S.; a 2.0L and 2.5L. Meanwhile in Europe and Japan, Mazda announced that the new 3 will also come in a diesel and hybrid model. That begs the question, will the U.S.-Spec Mazda3 come with either one of those engines. According to Mazda USA's CEO Jim O'Sullivan, the answer is a maybe. O'Sullivan told Automotive News that the company is considering adding the 2.2L SKYACTIV-D to the Mazda3. However, the company wants to see how the new Mazda6 with the same diesel engine will fare before…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 26, 2013 Mazda has pulled the covers back on the all new 2014 Mazda3 today in New York City and all we can say is WOW! The new 3 features Mazda' KODO design language that has appeared on the CX-5 crossover and Mazda6 sedan. You have a very distinctive front end, swoops and curves along the side profile, and a choice of sixteen-inch or optional eighteen-inch wheels. Compared to the outgoing 3, the 2014 model rides 2.4-inch-longer wheelbase. The hatchback is about 1.8 inches shorter, 0.6 inches shorter, and 1.6 inches wider. No word yet on the sedan. Inside, the 2014 Mazda3 has been dramatically changed. You have a n…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 22, 2013 Automotive News is reporting that Mazda is planning to launch the new Mazda3 compact later this fall. This information comes from three Mazda dealers who were informed by the company about this plan. The Mazda3, while getting up there in age, still remains a vital model for Mazda. Last year, the 3 captured 6% of the compact market, well above the 1.9% market share Mazda had last year. The next 3 will will adopt the Mazda's Kodo design language seen on the Mazda6 and CX-5. The 3 will also feature the full suite of SKYACTIV technologies, inlcuding a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine. Source: Automotive News (Subsc…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 7, 2013 Mazda has announced the pricing for the new Mazda6. Starting at $21,675 (includes a $795 destination charge), the base i Sport model comes equipped with a 2.5L SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine producing 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque and a six-speed manual transmission. This combination gets an estimated 25 City/37 Highway/29 Combined. Other standard features include push-button start, a tilt-and-telescopic adjustable steering column, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control functions, 17-inch alloy wheels, and auxiliary and USB connection ports. There is a optional six-speed automatic i …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 10, 2012 According to Auto Express, Mazda is working a small crossover to compete with the likes of the Nissan Juke and Ford EcoSport. Reportedly named the CX-3, the vehicle will focus on fuel economy and engaging driving characteristics. Engines will be made up a 1.3L turbo-four and 1.6L turbodiesel. Front-wheel drive might be the only drivetrain choice due to two-wheel drive crossovers outsell all-wheel drive models. The model is expected to be shown in early 2014 with sales beginning sometime later. Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.ma…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 31, 2012 Some big news coming out of Australia today. Mazda's sports car chief Nobuhiro Yamamoto told The Motor Report that the RX-7 would be making a comeback in 2017, the 50th anniversary of Mazda’s first Wankel-powered vehicle, the Cosmo Sport. Yamamoto currently favors a naturally-aspirated version Mazda’s 16X rotary, which was introduced back in 2007. The engine is expected to produce 300 HP out of a 1.6L displacement. When asked about using turbochargers to extract more performance, Yamamoto said, "At this time it has not been determined. Maybe later in life it will be turbo, but to start with maybe not." …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 18, 2012 Last month, we published a story on what was to be expected from next-generation Mazda3. Today, Auto Express got their hands on what is purported to be the new Mazda3. "Print-outs of these pictures were delivered to the Auto Express office in an unmarked envelope, and we’ve scanned them so you can take a look," Auto Express reports. The renderings show the 3 wearing the Kodo design language with shield-like front grille, chrome-trim that runs around the perimeter of the grille and into the headlights, embellished wheel-wells, and a up-swept line. When Auto Express asked Mazda about these pictures, Mazd…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 8, 2012 A new report from Australia's Drive.com.au says Mazda is considering a crossover based on the new 6's platform. “I want to create a crossover model … I can do it quite easily,” said Hiroshi Kajiyama, the 6′s program manager. “It is one of the things I am looking at. If you try to fill the empty space in the portfolio then you will be followed by other manufacturers immediately. Kajiyama says the crossover will not fall into the traditional mold. Instead, it will follow the 'zoom-zoom' mantra of being a fine driver's car. “I don’t think an SUV is going to offer a ton of driving pleasure,. The good thing …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 1, 2012 Mazda and Fiat's partnership of using the next-generation Miata platform to build the Alfa Romeo spider could lead to more. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi told Ward's Auto that they would be "willing to share Skyactiv" technologies with Fiat. Yamanouchi also revealed that Mazda would like to leverage Fiat's dominance in certain markets to help their presence. As for Fiat, CEO Sergio Marchionne said, “Everything is possible. We’ve just started. We’ve signed the deal; we’ve visited the plants. Let’s take it one day at a time. We’re open to any solutions that lessen capital (outlays).” Source: Ward's Auto …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 25, 2012 Mazda is in a bit of bind in the U.S. Marketplace with profit and sales falling and falling. To help fight back, Mazda has been in the process of launching new models (CX-5 and the upcoming Mazda6). Now, some new information has come out for Mazda's most important model, the Mazda3. Car & Driver reports that the next 3 will utilize the same lightweight platform as the CX-5 crossover. Power will also come from the CX-5, a 2.0L SKYACTIV four-cylinder with 155 HP. There is speculation that diesel engine could make its way under the hood of the 3. The next-generation 3 will drop the smiley face on th…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 31, 2012 There are some big rumors coming out at this week’s Moscow Auto Show dealing with the new Mazda6. The first rumor comes to us from Autocar. They had the chance to sit down with Mazda’s chief designer, Akira Tamatani. Tamatani revealed that he would like to do a Mazda6 coupe. "There is no decision, but I would love to make one. The first job is to make the saloon and estate, but from this position a coupe is not so far away." If there is a coupe in the pipeline, we could get our first look sometime next year. Rumor two also comes from Autocar which says Mazda could be adding an AWD system for the new 6.…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 29, 2012 Mazda has revealed the new 2014 Mazda6 mid-size sedan at the Moscow Auto Show. The exterior design follows Mazda's new Kodo ("Soul of Motion") design language and draws heavily from the company's 2011 Takeri concept. The front end has a very muscular look with a large five-point grille, character lines running along the hood, and reshaped headlights with LEDs. The side features a character line above the front wheel well that extends into the front doors. The back end has narrowed taillights, dual exhausts, and a chrome strip running along the hood. "We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 25, 2012 For the of weeks, has been teasing us with showing off the new that will be shown at the Paris Motor Show in September.But a Russian site called AutoWP has released a high-resolution image of the new 6 onto the web. The new 6 looks to be a carbon copy of the Takeri concept, right down to the grill. This will be Mazda's second vehicle that will use the Kodo design language, the first being the CX-5 crossover. Engines will include 2.0L Skyactiv inline four-cylinder engine and a 2.2L Skyactiv-D engine, both going through six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The new 6 will make its official…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 29, 2012 Last Friday was a sad day for Mazda. That was when the final 13B Renesis Rotary engine rolled off assembly line in Hiroshima, ending a fifty year affair. Mazda first licensed the design for the rotary engine (also known as a Wankel engine) in 1961, with the Cosmo sports car being the first model to use a rotary in 1967. From there, the rotary engine would be used in a series of cars, including the RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars. However, the times are changing. The RX-8 can’t hold a flame to the current crop of sports cars in fuel economy, and failed to meet the European Union’s Euro 5 emissions regulations, ex…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 26, 2012 Take a Mazda MX-5, increase the horsepower to 205, add some performance bits that include an upgraded suspension and free-flowing exhaust with single center-mounted tailpipe, and finish it off with some body modifications. What do you get? The Mazda MX-5 GT concept. The MX-5 GT Concept was built by racing specialist Jota Sport, which works closely with Mazda with their MX-5 racecar in the British GT Championship. “The MX-5 has been our best known car for 22 years, and with the GT4 and GT Concept on show, we are demonstrating that this car can compete with the more expensive race and performance cars but st…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 17, 2012 Car & Driver recently spoke with Robert Davis, Mazda’s senior vice president of U.S. Operations about the future of the rotary engine, V6, and the Miata. With the Rotary engine, Davis said to expect the technologies seen on the Skyactiv Mazda3 and CX-5 for a revived rotary. Those technologies include reduced internal friction, reduced rotating mass, and more-efficient transmissions. Mazda is also looking at using the Rotary as a way to drive an electric motor. Davis also talked about the future of the V6 at the Mazda. Currently, two vehicles have a V6, the Mazda6 and CX-9 crossover. When the two ve…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 19, 2012 Mazda is the only automaker to stick with the rotary engine; spending a considerable amount of time and money in order to improve efficiency and reliability of the engine. Despite saying goodbye to their only rotary-powered vehicle (the RX- and no word if there will be a successor, Mazda has made a breakthrough. Mitsuo Hitomi, Mazda’s general manager of powertrain development told Ward’s Auto that the company will complete development of an all-new rotary engine that meets future fuel-economy and emissions standards. “We think we’ve found a way to improve the rotary’s fuel economy to be truly equal to…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 Mazda will be shrinking its U.S. workforce as a way to stay afloat financially. Mazda is "in the midst of an extremely challenging business environment. It has become necessary for us to reexamine our business to accelerate further cost improvement," said Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations in a memo sent to employees. The plan, slated to start this month and last for five months will begin with the company offering voluntary buyouts to employees. Then, Mazda will layoff employees who didn't take part in the buyouts and then begin a restructuring process. Source: Automotive News (Su…
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G. Noble Editor/Reporter CheersandGears.com March 12, 2012 You could probably see this one coming from a mile away; Mazda is saying that after 2012 has run its course, the CX-7 crossover SUV will be leaving the U.S. market. So who’s the hot dog pushing the cool dog out of the dog house? It’s none other than Mazda’s newest Lorax-approved CUV, the 2013 CX-5. This means that the CX-5 will now not only replace the old Ford Escape-based Tribute, but the CX-7 to boot. And although the CX-5 is smaller overall than the CX-7, it actually boasts better cargo room and overall interior volume, not to mention better fuel economy, thus making any sort of theoretical gap in Mazda’s…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 6, 2012 Despite a $1.29 billion dollar loss for last year, Mazda is looking at the brighter side. The company is looking for a partner and trying to raise $2 billion dollars. But they’re also trying to capture more of the U.S. market. Left Lane News reports that Mazda is hoping to capture 2.5% of the U.S. auto market by 2014. Currently Mazda sits at 2% of the U.S. market. The .5% increase would mean an extra 150,000 vehicles being sold. Part of their plan to capture more of the U.S. market is with the new CX-5 crossover. Mazda will increase their ad spending by 25% talking about the CX-5 and its best in class 3…
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