AutoShortNews » Mazda

2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695*

Admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:26:54 +0000

The 2013 CX-5 uses Mazda’s brand new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine, along with a host of other weight-saving technologies. We’ve driven the CX-5 on two different occasions, and while we’re quite impressed with the steering, manual gearbox and suspension, we wish interior refinement were a bit better. Still, Mazda is positioning the CX-5 as the enthusiast’s small crossover, and we’re inclined to agree.

Source: Mazda

Mazda special edition MX-5 Miata

Admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:36:08 +0000

Limited to just 450 units here in the Untied States, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition takes the top-trim Grand Touring model a step further with a new black-only power retractable hard top – the first time a non-body colored hard top has been available – as well as new 17-inch gunmetal wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior trim. Two new exterior colors – a special white and red – will be offered, and the car can be had with either the six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Source: Mazda

2013 Mazda CX-5 best-in-class

Admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:05:37 +0000

Mazda has released the official EPA fuel economy figures for its 2013 CX-5, and as anticipated, the new compact crossover has achieved an all-important best-in-class designation. The front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual-equipped CX-5 is rated at 26 miles per gallon city and 35 mpg highway, thanks to Mazda’s efficient Skyactiv direct-injection 2.0-liter inline-four. In fact, Mazda claims the CX-5 actually gets the best fuel economy rating of any SUV (read: crossover) sold in America, full stop.

CX-5 models equipped with front-wheel drive and Mazda’s new Skyactiv six-speed automatic transmission are good for 26/32 miles per gallon city/highway. And while those highway numbers match up with the four-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox, the Mazda’s 26 mpg city rating bests the Chevy by a whopping four mpg. All-wheel-drive CX-5s are rated at 25/31 mpg city/highway. Follow the jump for Mazda’s official release.

Source: Mazda

2013 Mazda CX-5

Admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:47:45 +0000

The 2013 CX-5 is, effectively, the replacement for the Tribute – Mazda’s badge-engineered version of the Ford Escape. The Tribute never really fit within Mazda’s lineup, especially in recent years as the Japanese automaker has begun to furiously hone its styling and engineering directions. That said, there’s a brand-new Ford Escape coming for the 2013 model year, and Mazda quickly put its foot down to kill any rumors that the CX-5 is in any way related to the Ford. Sure, they’re similar in size, but the company executives insist that every single part of the CX-5 is brand-new and Mazda-specific.

Hyperbole aside, at 178.7 inches long, 65.7 inches tall and 72.4 inches wide, the CX-5 is nearly identical in size to the redesigned 2012 Honda CR-V, but because of its more aggressive design, the Mazda looks decidedly more compact. To further that point, know that the CX-5 rides on a wheelbase that is a full three inches longer than the CR-V. Just by looking at the two CUVs, it’s not immediately noticeable. Sport (read: Base) and Touring models come standard with 17-inch wheels, while Grand Touring models (what you see in the pics) ride on handsome 19-inch alloys that fill out the large wheel wells nicely.

The CX-5 uses the full suite of Mazda’s Skyactiv technologies, and while most people think that just refers to the 2.0-liter inline-four underhood, it’s actually much more involved than that. While the powerplant in the CX-5 is the Skyactiv-G gasoline engine, it’s mated to the buyer’s choice of a pair of new Skyactiv-branded transmissions – a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic – and the whole package is wrapped in a lightweight Skyactiv chassis. Speaking of lightness, Mazda has vowed that each new model will weigh roughly 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor. We could compare the CX-5 to the Tribute, but honestly, the larger CX-7 crossover is a more direct competitor. Depending on equipment levels, the CX-5 can weigh as much as 575 pounds less than its older, ever-so-slightly larger sibling.

But back to the Skyactiv-G engine. Here, it’s good for 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque – not breathtaking numbers by any means, and actually one of the least-powerful powerplants in its class. But thanks to an impressive 14:1 compression ratio, Mazda doesn’t need to rely on turbocharging or downsizing in order to get decent performance. Fuel economy is also a huge win for the Skyactiv powertrain, too, with manual-equipped CX-5 models expected to deliver a best-in-class 33 miles per gallon on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. Adding the automatic transmission drops the highway number to 32 mpg, and equipping the CX-5 with all-wheel drive reduces overall economy to 25/30 mpg.

Source: AutoBlog

Mazda Takeri concept to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:39:16 +0000

The midsize sedan concept adopts Mazda’s latest Kodo design language in a conventional three-box shape that could provide a preview of what to expect from the next 6. The show car packs the company’s SkyActiv-D diesel engine (a 2.2-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder with a lowered compression ratio for a 20% improvement in efficiency over a conventional oil-burner) with stop-start engine management and regenerative braking – a new feature for Mazda.

Source: Mazda

Mazda 2012 CX-5 softroader ahead of Frankfurt

Admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:09:42 +0000

Mazda has finally given us all a peek at the company’s all-new 2012 CX-5 small crossover ahead of its debut at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show. The high-riding five door is draped in the automaker’s new “Kodo” design language and relies on a host of SkyActiv engine and transmission options. European buyers will be able to choose between a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a 2.2-liter diesel powerplant, both with lofty 14:1 compression ratios. Each engine will be available in Standard Power and High Power iterations, and the high compression ratio helps return improved efficiency.

Source: Mazda

The 2012 Mazda3 has officially made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show

Admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:11:23 +0000

The 2012 Mazda3 has officially made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show, and it’s brought along the first production use of the long-awaited SkyActiv fuel-efficiency tweaks. That means the newest Mazda3 is good for a whopping 40 miles per gallon on the highway thanks to the addition of a new SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine mated to either a new six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

2012 Mazda3 SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder enginePreviously, the Mazda3 has only been good for up to 33 mpg in its most efficient form, but the new drivetrain advancements will go a long way toward making the model more competitive against ever sharper metal from Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Honda. Mazda says that the new 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter mill.

[Source: Mazda]

Unexplained Mazda violence in Russia

Admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:16:26 +0000

We have no idea why these Mazdas were taken in such a hostile manner, but we’re hoping it’s not because they were parked in a loading zone. And why is it that we can only see Mazdas in this parking lot? So many questions. So much destruction. (We’re guessing these cars were somehow damaged and destroyed for insurance purposes, but we can’t say for sure.)

Review: 2011 Mazda2

Admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:25:13 +0000

Bigger used to mean better, but in the modern era, that old chestnut no longer applies. Mobile phones aren’t the size of a brick, we can fit 2,000 songs in our pocket and this review was written on a computer that fits neatly on an airplane’s tray table. Sometimes smaller is better, and here’s a vehicle that proves it.

Source: AutoBlog

Mazda2 to be world’s most efficient gas vehicle

Admin — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:53:51 +0000

We’re big fans of the 2011 Mazda2, but of all the good things this little hatch has going for it, fuel economy isn’t really one of them. Manual transmission models offer 29/35 miles per gallon city/highway, and while that isn’t terrible by any means, it’s sub-par when you consider the new standard for B- and C-segment cars: 40 mpg.

[Source: Reuters]