Mazda6 is known to be such a big car but it has also been mated to a 1.8-liter powertrain. Because such a small engine was mated to a big car, many had assumed that it will not be a successful car. However, Mazda has proved them wrong. The second generation Mazda6 has been very well-engineered by Mazda that the mating of the small engine and the big car is a success.

Asides from this success, Mazda has also been successful in designing the interior and exterior of the 1.8-liter Mazda6. there’s a bold identity and hewn-from-solid-stone solidity to the interior and the design is very much Germanic. The seats have been made more comfortable, it has a classy cockpit lighting, an intuitive switchgear, and a steering wheels incorporated with multi-function control buttons. There’s also plenty of space in the interior. The Mazda6 keeps its sporting focus but it has become obvious that the model has now better refinement and ride comfort. It also has a responsive steering. And the maximum power output of the 1.8-liter Mazda6 is 118bhp. This 1.8-liter engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and acceleration time from 0-62mph is 11 seconds.  

Fuel economy of the this second generation Mazda6 is also notable. With its small engine, it is able to cover 36.2 miles per gallon of fuel. Another great thing about this is that its carbon dioxide emissions have been remarkably reduced. Thus, the 1.8-liter Mazda6 is able to provide a five band decrease in car company tax to 19 percent from the previous 24 percent.

Of course, the Mazda6 is also offered with other powertains. These include the 2.0-liter diesel producing 138bhp, the flagship 2.5-liter petrol with 168bhp, and 2.0-liter petrol with maximum power output of 145bhp. These three engines have the six-speed manual transmission as their standard gearbox. But the 2.0-liter petrol is also available with an option for a five-speed automatic transmission.

Other features of the second generation Mazda have also been improved. The entry level S now comes equipped with six airbags, four electric windows, dynamic stability control, and CD entertainment system complete with a socket for MP3.

There will be a hatchback and saloon petrol versions of the Mazda6 arriving next month and January will also see the coming of the estate and the diesel version.

Mazda Motor Corporation is planning on doubling its dealership network in China. With this, it hopes that its sales will increase up to 80 percent in 2008 since China is the world’s second largest auto market.

Mazda has 104 dealerships in China as of the moment but come April 2008, the Japanese automaker is planning on increasing it up to 220 dealerships.

The head of Mazda’s Chinese business, Kiyoshi Ozaki, said that Mazda’s target sales for 2008 fiscal year is 180,000 vehicles, 100,000 more than 2007. The production capacity of the Japanese automaker in China is 300,000 vehicle a year and its other partnerships are not yet being fully utilized. But still, Mazda is scrambling to fight its way amidst the competitive auto market in China even though it meant cutting prices of its vehicles.

Mazda and its local partner, First Automobile Works, will cut the price of the Mazda6 wagons made in China in August. It will cut it by almost 20 percent when it sells it in Guangdong, a southern province in China.

But all is not bad. Mazda three-way tieup with Ford and Changan, the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile was able to sell 150,365 vehicles in the period of January to September. This is a 59 percent increase of sales so Mazda is hopeful that it will have “another surprise year” in 2008.

The 2018 design for the Mazda3 will be revealed 11 years before it is scheduled to arrive in the Los Angeles Motor Show happening this week. However, the 2018 Mazda3 will just be full-size clay model.

The design for the 2018 Mazda3 was made by the 21-year old student, Mallory McMorrow, who won the Mazda Design Challenge. This new Mazda concept car will be shown through 3D full-size version made of clay. The winner is an industrial design student from Indiana. His design was chosen by the Mazda designers and also users of Facebook during an online final.

The clay model of the 2018 Mazda3 will be created by McMorrow togetehr with Mazda designer Jacques Flynn. Flynn was also the one who helped McMorrow with sketching her design and make it have more detailed renderings. They will also get help from Franz von Holzhausen, the design director of Mazda North America.  

“Jacques took everything I said and sketched, and put my thoughts and feelings on paper. I’m proud to say that the end design was still definitely my car and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition on the show floor,” said McMorrow who is studying at New Jersey’s Notre Dame University.

Mazda has recently announced that it will be including a Special Edition model in the line-up of its famous MX-5. The Japanese automaker has decided to do so as it hopes to offer a sense of uniqueness and exclusivity to possible buyers of the all-time very popular Mazda roadster coupe. The production of the first units of the Special Edition model for the MX-5 is expected to begin next month.

The MX-5 Special Edition treatment will be available to be applied in PRHT models or in Power Retractable Hardtop models. However, there will be only 105 units of this Mazda MX-5 Special Edition model. The price for this is expected to be around $37,400. the PRHT model is proud to say that it has an improved noise reduction and insulation from the elements as opposed to the standard model through a composite top which, with just a flick of a button, quietly retracts in a few seconds.

Some exterior features of the MX-5 Special Edition model includes a unique 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome accent, grille surround, and a new Icy Blue paint finish. This model will also be equipped with a dynamic stability control together with a slip differential to guarantee power from the 170-horsepower capable engine of the MX-5. the standard gearbox for the MX-5 Special Edition is the manual transmission.

The interior styling and features of this model is even trendier and more stylish than its exterior. Passengers will be amazed by its luxurious looking interior which has been trimmed down in brown saddle leather with a blue stitching. And in an attempt to make this model have that upscale look, Mazda decided to have the interiors accentuated with some chrome and metallic finishes as well.

Source: Auto123 Website

It seems that the near-end of the year period this year for Japanese automaker Mazda is proving to be profitable months. The North American operations of Mazda has recently reported that its sales for October was its best for the month of October since the year 2001. The three branches of Mazda Motor Corporation – the U.S division, Mazda Motor de Mexico, and Mazda Canada – all experienced very strong sales performances during the month of October. And guess which models contributed strongly in these sales – Mazda3 and Mazda’s SUV CX-9.

Mazda Canada, Inc. reported that it had its strongest sale in October ever since a decade ago, in 1997. This Mazda division was able to sell 6,040 units which is a one percent increase from last year’s sales. As of the moment, the overall sales of Mazda Canada this year is 8.4 percent more from last year.

Mazda North America also experienced the same strength of sales for October as its reported total sales is 22,201 units, an increase of 17.8 percent from October 2006. Overall sales up until October are 9.9 percent higher than last year.

Among the three, Mazda Motor de Mexico is the division which garnered the most number of increase in sales. Its reported sales increase is 91 percent from last year sales as its units sold totaled to 1,532. Its year to date sales has increased 141 percent higher from 2006.