July 31, 2007
Mazda Miata has been known as one of the greatest sports car among the lot. At one point, it had even become the second best sports car. Because of that, it also became the best-selling two-seat sports car. But before it achieved that kind of fame, I had gone through a lot of production already, and with that improvements and new innovations have also been incorporated. Its efforts all paid of in 2006 when it reached it popularity milestone at that time, its second generation models.
The third generation came in 2006 and that’s when it sported a much-improved chassis, more interior space, and a notable more power from its larger 2.0-liter engine. With the improved chassis and engine enhancements, it was able to maintain its competitive advantage among all other 2-seater sports car.
The one thing that they did not innovate is their manual convertible top. Although the trend now of automakers is to have a power-operated convertible tops, the regular MX’s continued to be manuals. It doesn’t really matter since the car is small and so it wouldn’t really be hard to operate. The manual top is also simpler and lighter than a power one and also a less expensive, making it affordable for those wanting to buy the Miata model.
July 28, 2007
Mazda’s CX-7 is actually a lot different than other 4x4 models as more than just a sports utility vehicle, it’s a sports car evident in its style and driving dynamics, while retaining the commanding driving position, presence, and stature of an off-road vehicle.
It offers a power output of260 horsepower with its 2.3-liter turbo petrol engine. It has a six-speed manual transmission that drives and controls all four wheels of the vehicle through Mazda’s active torque split 4WD transmission.
The single specification costs about £23,960 and this soft-roader seats five and has other features like cruise control, premium audio equipment, climate control, heated front seats and leather upholstery.
July 26, 2007
The Mazda 2 or Mazda Demio has recently been launched and from the looks of it, it has shredded weight. There was a total weight loss of about 100 kilograms, which resulted to a total weight of 995 kilograms and 960 respectively.
So how did Mazda do it? They have achieved it through better engineering techniques and a smaller overall car. The result was a loss of 20 kilograms of weight. The removal of some features also resulted into a loss of another 20 kilograms. The other 60 kilograms of loss weight was because of the reduction of the weight of the front seats – 2.5kg, suspension – 13kg, front speakers – 1kg, and the electrical system – 2.9kg.
The result was great as the Mazda 2 achieved better MPG ratings and also helped improve agility.
July 25, 2007
Mazda Miata has been known as one of the greatest sports car among the lot. At one point, it had even become the second best sports car. Because of that, it also became the best-selling two-seat sports car. But before it achieved that kind of fame, I had gone through a lot of production already, and with that improvements and new innovations have also been incorporated. Its efforts all paid of in 2006 when it reached it popularity milestone at that time, its second generation models.
The third generation came in 2006 and that’s when it sported a much-improved chassis, more interior space, and a notable more power from its larger 2.0-liter engine. With the improved chassis and engine enhancements, it was able to maintain its competitive advantage among all other 2-seater sports car.
The one thing that they did not innovate is their manual convertible top. Although the trend now of automakers is to have a power-operated convertible tops, the regular MX’s continued to be manuals. It doesn’t really matter since the car is small and so it wouldn’t really be hard to operate. The manual top is also simpler and lighter than a power one and also a less expensive, making it affordable for those wanting to buy the Miata model.
July 21, 2007
There is now another package that would even amplify MX-5 Miata’s goodness and performance and that is the MS-R or Motor Sport-Racing, according to Mazda North American Operations or MNAO.
This new package is based on the SV model MX-5 which already includes a a 166-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder MZR engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes and a trunk full of Zoom-Zoom. It adds a limited slip-differential, front-shock tower brace, underbody chassis bracing, 17-inch alloy wheels, Koni Shock absorbers, racing-specific front and rear sway bars, higher rate springs to provide a lower ride height and a rear lip spoiler.
“We wanted to give racing enthusiasts the opportunity to outfit their Mazda MX-5s with track-tested performance parts to ensure they have a competitive package when they hit the grid,” said Steve Sanders, manager, MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development. “The MS-R SCCA racing package is the ultimate addition to the world’s best-selling two-seat sportscar. We expect to see MX-5s back where they belong, in the winners’ circle and collecting trophies all over the country very soon.”
This new Mazda package will surely enhance the already great features and performance of the MX-5 Miata, which is the world’s most road-raced car.
July 20, 2007
BT-50 is the newly-released latest version of Mazda’s B-series line. It is mechanically like the recently launched Ford Ranger and Mazda targets the leisurely market for ther BT-50. Because the Japanese manufacturers has their Zoom-Zoom philosophy, the BT-50 has an advanced drivetrain partnered with class leading safety components as its features.
This new2 model line-up has clearly showed the lifestyle orientated marketing strategy.
The double cab versiuons now have a traffic-trundle friendly 3-liter turbo diesel automaticd and the version of the single cabs are not available in 4x4 anymore. This shows clearly that the focus of BT-50 is now something more urbane than the traditional commercial bakkie applications.
It has 380Nm of torque and a very handy 5-speed transmission, and a smooth and positive shift action, which makes the Mazda BT-50 Bakkie easy to drive and control.
July 18, 2007
This is the perfect moment to pause and have a wonderful feast to commemorate and celebrate Mazda’s achievement in reaching their 40th million production of cars in Japan. This is indeed one of their many milestones and their loyal patrons celebrate with them in this momentous event.
They had their celebration in their headquarters in Hiroshima at the Ujina Plant No.2. The production of the Mazda Demio or Mazda2 was what marked the company’s milestone in the industry of automobile. A lot of executive officers were present during this commemorative ceremony and even Mazda’s Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO Hisakazu Imaki graced the event with his presence.
Mazda had traveled a long way to achieve their 40th million production. They remain standing despite the growing number of competition and this is evident through their being in this industry for 75 years and nine months since October of 1931.
President and CEO Imaki delivered a speech saying, “Mazda was able to achieve 40 million units of cumulative production due to the great support of our customers. This milestone is also the result of the steadfast efforts of the many employees and people associated with Mazda who have been the cornerstone of our success throughout the company’s existence. Mazda’s appetite for embracing challenges and a spirited corporate culture drives us to develop new technologies and create new value. This is the reason why, of all the automakers around the world, Mazda is the only brand that produces rotary engine cars. Accomplishing 40 million units is another breakthrough on our road to even further growth. To maintain this track record of success going forward, Mazda will continue to provide our customers with cars that ‘look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again’.”
This is indeed a very gratifying event for the company. It also made Mazda enthusiasts even more proud of the heritage of their precious set of wheels.
July 14, 2007
The Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) decided to help internet-savvy car buyers be one step closer to buying their new Mazda cars and experiencing that new car smell without having to leave their house.
A first in the industry, the Mazda Shopping Assistant program would provide potential buyers with an actual quote (from the customer’s choice of dealer) of the vehicle they wish to buy unlike what other manufacturers do like just providing customers with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price or MSRP.
The official website for Mazda USA, www.MazdaUSA.com, will be providing the link to the new Mazda Shopping Assistant(MSA) program that will connect consumers with Mazda Personal Shoppers who can answer specific questions and provide personalized shopping experiences through the Web-chat sessions. With the help of these in-house Mazda employees, buyers can configure a vehicle, select dealership, search vehicle inventory, get an actual dealer quote, schedule a sales appointment and acquire information about the financing for the Mazda vehicles. Once the price has been agreed on by the customer and the dealer, the Personal Shopper will set an appointment time at the dealership for the final paperwork to be signed and for the car to be delivered.
“We want to make the vehicle purchase process as easy and comfortable as possible for our customers," says Mike Ray, director, Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty, MNAO. "On average, a typical car buyer spends four hours at most dealerships buying a new car. In a day and age when every hour counts in our busy schedules, we believe the new MSA program is the perfect tool to help Mazda customers spend less time shopping and more time driving."
This MSA program, which is designed to connect customers and dealers more quickly will, makes the purchase process faster by streamlining three of the steps involved in vehicle buying which are the model selection, price and financing.
July 13, 2007
Let’s now take a deeper look into the newest addition to the Mazda model line, The Mazda5.
With this latest addition, they took the seven-seater vehicle formula into a whole new level. The company decided to shred off the traditional 2+3+2in theboot passenger arrangement and turn it into 6+1 with a walk through down the middle. The newly-released model of Mazda is based on three rows with two seats each and have incorporated a seventh seat, a folding seat, right in the middle of the action. Japanese call it Karakuri which translates into “a mechanical device to tease, trick, or take a person by surprise,” according to Wikipedia. Now, that a real neat trick from Mazda.
The second row of seats can also recline and slide or be even folded flat without removing the head restraints. The seats feature a one-touch lever that tips the seatback forward and slides the cushion forward to allow access to the third row of seats.
However , this seating arrangement does not spoil the fun in riding wherein you could only see the hair of the person sitting in front, unlike in other seven-seater vehicle. Mazda made each row a little higher than the one ahead to eliminate the problems of the past.
Aside from the unique seven-seater arrangement, Mazda also made sure that the seven passengers could still have space even with their belongings with them. The Mazda5 has 45 storage compartments, including an illuminated glovebox, under-seat trays in the second row and half-liter bottle-holders in the front doors.
The Mazda5 Individual has a Sports Appearance Package that includes a blody-color edfront sports bumper, sports grill, side and rear skirts, and a roof spoiler. It also has 17” alloy rims to roll itself with.
It sports a 5-speed gearbox, deliver 4000 revolutions per minute at 120km/hour. It could also consume about 9.8 liters/100 kilometers.
With all these and a lot more specs, Mazda hopes to wow its customers. If I may say so, I also hope passengers get that surprise finding a seat in the middle of two rows.
July 11, 2007
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch in the Japanese market of their fully redesigned Mazda Demio, or what is world-widely known Mazda 2. The launch and the commencing of the sales happened last July 5, 2007. It could be remembered that a week or two ago, Mazda said that they have already started production for their redesigning of the Mazda 2. They sure move fast on production as they now have announced the comecing of the sales of the much-awaited Mazda 2. The Mazda 2 has already gone on sale at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout Japan. Their target sales for all new Mazda Demio is 5,000 units a month.
This all-new Mazda 2 offers a lot to its owners from driver-friendly functionality, packaging, and individual styling. The design team who worked on this new Mazda 2 focused on bringing that fun-to-drive Zoom-Zoom character into this redesigned creation. They also still balanced it with top class fuel economy, safety performance and comfort levels. With its redesigned body, performance and basically everything, it has now become 100 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The Demio 13C-V grade combines Mazda’s newly developed, naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine with continuously variable transmission (CVT) to attain a top class 10-15 mode fuel efficiency of 23.0 km/L. This signifies an improvement of approximately 20% over the previous model.
The Chairman of the Board, Representative Director, President and CEO of Mazda Hisakazu Imaki said, “ The all-new Mazda Demio is a core global model and it is intended to accelerate our progress toward achieving the objectives set out in the Mazda Advancement Plan, our new mid-term plan announced in March of this year. Furthermore, this is our very first product that embodies “advanced Zoom-Zoom offering harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, based on our long-term technology development vision, ’Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.’ At Mazda, we will continue to drive our business forward through product-led growth and, at the same time, enhance our efforts to develop environmental and safety technologies to help realize a sustainable future.”
I said it before and I’ll say it once more, it would really be a shame if the American market wouldn’t be able to taste and experience the upgrades Mazda has proudly made on their New Mazda 2. Well, I still have my fingers crossed that if the new Demio received good praises, then they’d let us experiences its fine goodness.
