New Mazda MX-5 Special Edition Comes to the States, will Debut in Chicago

Earlier today, we told you about the Australian market Mazda MX-5 Special Edition featuring a sports suspension kit and some exclusive styling touches. Well, we now learn that the same model will be offered in the States in a limited run of 750 units, albeit at a much lower price as the U.S. version starts at $30,925 with a manual transmission, and $31,525 when equipped with the six-speed Sport AT automatic. That's compared to US$47,800 for the Aussie market model.

The Special Edition is based off of a fully-equipped Grand Touring model with the retractable hard top, and is available only in two new colors, Sparkling Black Mica or Dolphin Gray Mica. It rides on 17-inch Bright Finish aluminum alloy wheels.

Inside, the limited run version of the MX-5 gets gray door trim and heated leather seats with gray stitching, a black leather-wrapped parking brake and steering wheel with contrasting gray stitching, chrome treatments to the air vents and instrument cluster, plus aluminum pedals when equipped with a manual gearbox.

The most important addition is the Suspension package, which is optional on the Touring and Grand Touring model, and includes Bilstein shocks, a limited slip differential (LSD) and a sport-tuned suspension.

Power for the Limited Edition comes from the standard 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four with 167-horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda has not yet released a launch date for the limited edition MX-5, but we assume that it will be available shortly after its debut at this week's Chicago Auto Show.

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Aussies get New Mazda MX-5 Special Edition with Bilstein-tuned Suspension

A new special edition version of the MX-5 with some very minor styling and suspension upgrades has been added to Mazda's vehicle range in Australia. A total of 200 MX-5 Special Editions are being brought into the country with Mazda announcing that the upgrades are being added at no additional cost.

However, this should not comfort Australian buyers as the list price of the limited edition model is a hefty AUS$47,200 (~US$47,800), or roughly the same as a 430HP 2011 Corvette Coupe (US$48,950) in the U.S. We understand that prices between different markets are not comparable for a variety of reasons, but close to $50 grand for an MX-5?

The highlight of the special edition model is the addition of a Bilstein-tuned suspension, which promises to further improve the roadster's handling. A bright painted strut tower bar is also part of the suspension package.

On the outside, the MX-5 Special Edition gets new bright painted 17-inch alloy wheels and the choice of two new colors, Dolphin Grey Mica and Sparkling Black Mica, along with an Aluminium Metallic finish.

Inside, the driver and passenger are greeted by unique grey colored leather seats which are complemented by a leather steering wheel and handbrake both featuring grey highlight stitching, while the chrome meter rings and air vent bezels complete the look.

Mazda Australia marketing manager, Alastair Doak, said "The Mazda MX-5 is an iconic car with enthusiasts across the world making it the best-selling two seater roadster of all-time. Offering a limited number of MX-5 Special Editions to Australian consumers will ensure it appeals to the enthusiasts out there who are seeking something a little different."

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Mazda MX-5 Achieves Another Milestone as Production Reaches 900,000 Units

The world's most popular roadster model ever, the Mazda MX-5 (also known as Roadster in Japan and Miata in North America), is celebrating yet another milestone in its enviable history as total production reached 900,000 units on February 4, 2011. This latest milestone was achieved 21 years and 10 months after mass production of the first-generation MX-5 commenced in April 1989.

The MX-5 was initially certified by Guinness World Records as the world's "Best selling two-seat sports car" when production reached 531,890 units in May 2000, with the record being updated when sales passed the 700,000 and, later, 800,000 mark. Mazda is currently reapplying to Guinness World Records to have the record updated to 900,000 units.

Nobuhiro Yamamoto, program manager of the current MX-5, said, "Since Mazda launched the original MX-5, it has undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades. Its enduring success is due to the strong support it enjoys from MX-5 fans around the world. Going forward, I will strive to keep the MX-5's spirit alive while evolving it into a car that will be loved by even more people."

To this day, the MX-5 remains the longest enduring nameplate in Mazda's global lineup, and from the looks of it, this isn't going to change soon with the Japanese firm planning to further develop the model.

"As we head toward the next production milestone of one million units, Mazda is committed to further evolving the MX-5," said Mazda's executive officer in charge of development, Seita Kanai. "We will refine its fun-to-drive character and further enhance its environmental and safety capabilities. As Mazda passes its 91st birthday, we are turning our sights toward our 100th anniversary. In the years ahead, we will continue to cherish the MX-5, alongside its loyal fan base, as the symbol of the Mazda brand."

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Australia: Now you see the New Mazda2 Sedan, now you Don't

The Mazda2 four-door small sedan has been dropped from the firm's lineup in Australia, just eight months after launch. The reason is Mazda's decision to switch production of the Australian market version of the small car from its Thailand factory, which manufactures both sedan and hatchback body styles, to the company's Hiroshima plant in Japan, which builds only the hatchback version.

The Japanese automaker said the move was dictated by the success of the Mazda2 in the Thailand region and the fact it could not guarantee supply to the Australian market.

Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver told reporters that the company does not except the loss of the four-door model to harm local sales as the five-door model was the most popular in the range.

An updated version of the Mazda2 hatchback with refreshed trim and all-new colours is due arrive in Australian showrooms this month. It will continue to be offered with 76kW 1.5 litre petrol engine, available with both manual or automatic transmissions.

Source: Yahoo [Hat tip to Matt]

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Nissan to Sell Rebadged Mazda5 MPV in Japan

Nissan and Mazda said Friday that they are expanding their original equipment manufacturing (OEM) projects to include the Mazda Premacy, otherwise known as the Mazda5 MPV in markets such as North America and Europe. Under the agreement, Mazda will supply a "clearly differentiated version" of the Premacy to Nissan for sale in Japan, starting from May this year, the two companies said in a joint statement.

No pictures or other details have been released at this point, but given the short timeframe, Japanese buyers shouldn't expect any significant changes over the Premacy.

The two Japanese automakers are currently collaborating through a mutual OEM agreement, which enables Mazda to provide the Bongo Van/Truck to Nissan (sold as the Nissan Vanette Van/Truck), while Nissan supplies the AD/AD Expert to Mazda (sold as the Mazda Familia Van).

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Japanese Students craft a Dodge Ram Truck out of a Mazda MPV

We received some e-mails asking us if the green-colored Ram truck hiding behind the Chrysler-ized Prius 300C we showed you earlier today was a tricked out Dodge, or if, like many other project cars shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this too was a replica. The answer is it's a Ram Truck clone based on the Mazda Bongo Friendee, which is a Japanese domestic market MPV with seating for eight, offered between 1995 and 2005. Like the Prius 300C, the Ram Truck Friendee was built by a team of students from the Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology.

Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop

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Mazda to Lease All-Electric Mazda2 in Japan

Mazda today announced that it's developing an electric vehicle based on the Demio subcompact – known as the Mazda2 in Europe and North America –, which will be available for lease in Japan starting from spring 2012.

Details about the upcoming zero-emissions model are limited right now, with the official press release only stating that the car's driving range is expected to be around 200 km (124 miles) and that it will be leased mainly to local government bodies and fleet customers.

Mazda’s foray into the EV segment focuses on developing electric cars suitable for customers with short city commutes. Through the aforementioned lease program, the Japanese maker hopes to gain valuable information about usage requirements and electric drive technologies.

The acquired experience will also be used to improve the base technologies of the brand, as announced in the Building Block Strategy. Certain systems sourced from EVs such as regenerative braking tech, will make their way into conventional models, which will also benefit from the firm's SKYACTIV technologies, announced at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

For now, the company’s core values are going to be centered around the internal combustion engine, but in the long run, customers can expect to find an increasing number of eco-friendly technologies fitted to Mazda models.

By Csaba Daradics

*Note: Standard Mazda2 / Demio featured in photos

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Mazda Minagi Compact SUV Concept Officially Revealed

While it has been reported by several sources as a “leak”, we eventually found the official release and photos of the new Mazda Minagi Concept. Planned teaser or not, it’s certain that the design study will make its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, providing us a preview of the firm's upcoming compact SUV model, rumored to carry the CX-5 moniker.

The Minagi Concept will also showcase Mazda's next-generation of fuel-efficient powertrain and chassis technologies, branded under the [new] SKYACTIV name.

The Japanese firm didn’t reveal any details on the concept's specifications, simply stating that the Minagi "is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with the assurance of ample safety features."

Aside from the Minagi, the Japanese automaker’s stand will also feature separate technology exhibits as well as the Mazda Shinari sports saloon study.

By Csaba Daradics

Main Exhibits at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Reference exhibits

Mazda MINAGI (world premiere)

Mazda SHINARI (European premiere)

Technology exhibits

New Mazda SKYACTIV-G direct injection gasoline engine

New Mazda SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine

New Mazda SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission

New Mazda SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission

Vehicles currently on sale

Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, Mazda MX-5, Mazda CX-7, Mazda BT-50

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Mazda5 MPV gets New 115HP 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel in Europe, Returns 5.2lt/100km - 45 MPG

Targeting better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, Mazda has announced that the European market Mazda5 minivan is now available with a new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine, which replaces the previous 2.0-liter unit.

“For the engine line-up of the new Mazda5, we placed emphasis on environmental performance and fuel economy. This aim led us to use Mazda’s 2.0-liter direct-injection petrol engine with i-stop, and to replace the 2.0-liter diesel engine with a newly developed 1.6-liter turbo diesel unit that leads the class in low CO2 emission levels”, said Hideki Matsuoka, Program Manager Mazda5.

Thanks to its smaller displacement and aluminum alloy block, the new powerplant is a whopping 120 kg (265 lbs) lighter than the 2.0-liter diesel it replaces, without sacrificing performance. In fact, with 115HP and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque, the turbocharged four-pot produces +5HP, while using 14.8% less fuel in the combined cycle (5.2 lt/100 km or 45 US mpg) and emitting 13.2 percent less CO2 (138 g/km).

The new engine is also Euro5 compliant. It does this by using a low compression ratio (16:1) and an efficient exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler and bypass system. Other features of the MZ-CD 1.6 unit are the piezo injectors, variable-geometry turbocharger and maintenance-free diesel particulate filter (DPF) system.

The Mazda5 MZ-CD 1.6 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 13.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).

All Mazda5s come as standard with power-adjustable side mirrors, manual air conditioning, driver seat height adjustment, power windows, power door locks and four-speaker radio. The safety equipment list includes six airbags, ABS, dynamic stability control (DSC), electric brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist and traction control (TCS).

By Csaba Daradics

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