A number of Iphone applications already exist that are designed by major car manufacturers to aid with the running of their cars. (more…)

- Features new parts including alloy wheels and side spoilers for a sportier external appearance; qualifies for 50 percent eco-car tax reductions – (more…)

Mazda is ready to take on the roughest terrain and most demanding topography with the latest edition to the BT-50 range – the limited edition Mazda BT-50 EDGE. Always ready for adventure, the BT-50 EDGE possesses a powerful 3.0-litre engine and features high-quality extras allowing you to tackle even the roughest playground in style and comfort.

The heart of the BT-50 EDGE, the potent 3.0-litre power plant produces 115kW @ 3200rpm and offers a class leading torque of 380Nm at just 1800rpm. It is one of the most powerful pick-ups in its class and has already proved to be a popular choice with South African consumers.

Packaged as a sports activity vehicle the Mazda BT-50 EDGE caters for the adventurous at heart but without sacrificing on any creature comforts. The luxurious refinement of the cabin interior is almost enough to make you forget that the Mazda BT-50 is a pickup truck. The interior appointments offer user-oriented convenience and utility in a modern package that features sporty and athletic styling.

Recommended retail price (incl. VAT):

Mazda BT-50 3.0-litre CRDi SLE 4×2 Double Cab EDGE : R 345 000

Source: Mazda

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the global premiere of the all-new Mazda5 (known as the Mazda Premacy in Japan) during the press days of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2 and 3, 2010. Embracing dynamic and elegant Nagare design, the new Mazda5 emits approximately 15 percent less CO2 than the current model thanks to Mazda’s “i-stop” idling stop system, a direct injection gasoline engine and other technologies. European sales of the all-new Mazda5 will commence during fall 2010.

Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda is striving to improve the eco-friendly performance of its products. Whether stuck in traffic or cruising on the highway, the all-new Mazda5 with 2.0L direct injection gasoline engine and i-stop significantly reduces CO2 emissions thanks to the effective combination of i-stop, the high combustion efficiency provided by direct injection, and a six-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios. The new Mazda5 cuts CO2 emissions by roughly 15 percent compared to the model it replaces and provides a more comfortable ride with linear and smooth performance characteristics. It is now one of the most eco-friendly minivans in its class in Europe.

The new Mazda5’s green credentials are further enhanced by its other available powertrains, which include a 1.8L gasoline engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Source: Mazda

With the 80th Geneva International Motor Show just around the corner (Starting on the 4th of March) we  can expect to see a host of new information regarding many of the top car brands from around the world. As a sneak peak, here is some information from Ford, BMW and Nissan regarding what they will be show casing at the event.

Nissan

Juke

Designed to bring a breath of fresh air to the B-segment, where customers are uninspired by the lack of originality on offer, Juke is a distinctive combination of SUV toughness and sporting style in a compact package.

It will be the third member of Nissan’s crossover family, reinforcing the company’s position as a pioneer of this increasingly popular configuration of vehicle.

The top of the range Juke will come with a new turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, developing 140kW (190PS) and 240 Nm.

The 1.6 direct injection turbo engine is available with Nissan’s ALL-MODE 4×4-i system, updated to include torque-vectoring technology. As well splitting torque front to rear – up to a maximum of 50:50 – it can now be split from side-to-side across the rear axle too, enhancing agility and reducing understeer when cornering.

Ford

All-new C-MAX range

The all-new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, which go on sale later this year, will provide two of Ford’s star attractions at the Geneva Motor Show, bringing new levels of style and desirability to the compact Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) market.

Ford’s C-segment MAV customers now have the choice of a 5-seat C-MAX or 7-seat Grand C-MAX, which features twin sliding doors and innovative seat design to provide outstanding space and flexibility. The interior of the 5-seat C-MAX is revealed for the first time at Geneva.

The all-new C-MAX cockpit will represent the next generation of Ford’s human machine interface (HMI) system.  Key elements of this technology are two five-way toggle switches on the steering wheel, which control two main vehicle displays: one in the instrument cluster and the second mounted in a high position in the centre console.   This simple, intuitive control system enables the driver to operate the key vehicle features while keeping both hands on the wheel, and with a minimum of distraction.

“The launch of the new C-MAX range is highly significant, and shows customers worldwide that they can expect some truly exciting designs as we roll out our new global range of medium cars,” said John Fleming, Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe.  ”The new C-MAX is just the start – with the next-generation Focus coming quickly after, we look forward to revealing more of the story in the very near future.”

Source: BMW, Ford, Nissan

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today delivered one Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid vehicle to the Yamaguchi prefectural government in western Japan. Mazda’s Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid features a unique hybrid system and a hydrogen rotary engine (RE) that burns hydrogen as a fuel.

Mazda has now delivered four hydrogen hybrid vehicles to fleet customers. One unit was leased to Iwatani Corporation in May 2009, followed by one unit each leased to the City of Hiroshima and Hiroshima Prefecture in September 2009. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid leased to Yamaguchi Prefecture will be used at environmental events and in daily operations.

The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid uses a unique hybrid system with power delivered to the vehicle’s wheels by an electric motor. This powertrain substantially enhances the driving performance and boosts the hydrogen fuel driving range to 200 kilometers, twice the range of Mazda’s previous hydrogen vehicle, the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid can run on gasoline as well as hydrogen thanks to a dual-fuel system that was developed for the RX-8 Hydrogen RE.

Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda is committed to pursuing harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features. Mazda constantly strives to offer vehicles that “look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.”

Source: Mazda

LAS VEGAS – With the launch of the all-new 2010 MAZDA3 and MAZDASPEED3, a small team of designers and engineers at Mazda R&D in Irvine, Calif., decided to celebrate with a pair of special projects, debuting for the first time at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

Both cars are painted to mimic the new MAZDA3 World Challenge race car, but in a more subdued Crystal White Pearl base coat with soft gray tone graphics. The scheme is a modern twist on the famous Renown graphics used on the Mazda 787B that won Le Mans in 1991.

The sedan was sent to Tri-Point Engineering for a boost in power. Between World Challenge races, Tri-Point installed their turbo kit, utilizing a rugged cast iron turbo manifold feeding a high-efficiency Garrett GT2871R ball bearing turbo. At a mild 10 psi of boost, the 2.5-liter MZR engine is making well over 250 horsepower at the wheels (final tuning is still being finished).

To handle this extra power, the front brakes were replaced with rotors and calipers from a MAZDASPEED3, while the rear rotors and calipers were sourced from a MAZDA5. Double-adjustable coil-overs from KW Suspension, paired with a Tri-Point adjustable rear stabilizer bar bring the handling back into harmony with the engine’s higher output.

Source: Mazda