Mazda has begun developing a new range of vehicles that will adopt their full range of breakthrough SKYACTIV Technologies and the new design theme; ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’. The first of these vehicles is a completely new CX-5, a compact crossover SUV with new chassis, body, engine and transmission, which will make it’s debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor show on the 13th of September.

Powering the CX-5, for the European market, will be a SKYACTIV-G 2.0 litre petrol engine as well as a SKYACTIVE-D 2.2 litre diesel engine, with an option of Standard power or High power. The focus for this vehicle was attaining exceptional environmental performance for a compact SUV, with the diesel option aiming at 120g/km CO2 emissions.

As mentioned before, the new Mazda CX-5 will be the first vehicle to showcase the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme. Included in this theme is a prominent new frontal treatment and bolder Mazda family face. The styling will be more dynamic which will emphasize vitality and agility.

Joining the stand at the debut of the Mazda CX-5 in Frankfurt will be the upgraded Mazda3, which will feature reduced CO2 emissions, improved driving dynamics and an upgraded exterior and interior. Look for more information on the all-new Mazda CX-5 as it becomes available.

Source: Mazda

A number of Iphone applications already exist that are designed by major car manufacturers to aid with the running of their cars. One particular application will remember where you parked your car and direct you back to it. Mazda has jumped on the bandwagon and released their own application that aims to help their drivers with roadside assistance.

The application puts the driver in touch with a roadside assistance agent who can assist the driver as well as dispatch the relevant assistance to exactly where the driver has broken down, thanks to the GPS coordinates taken from the application. The application can aid in:

Flat tyre
Out of petrol
Locked out of car
In need of a tow

Please note though that this application will only work for US citizens. The application can be downloaded from http://mazda.crosscountry-auto.com/

Source: Mazda

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

As part of celebrations marking its 90th anniversary, Mazda Motor Corporation today launched a special edition Axela Sport (known overseas as the Mazda3 hatchback) outfitted with performance accessories. The Mazda Axela Sport 1.5 S Style goes on sale today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships throughout Japan.

The 1.5 S Style is based on the 1.5-liter Axela Sport and qualifies for Japan’s eco-car incentive program and 50 percent tax reductions under the government’s tax reduction program. New features include 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, side spoilers, LED rear combination lights and dark tinted glass.

The version with 16-inch wheels also boasts attractive features such as discharge headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 4.1-inch multi-information display. The color liquid crystal screen displays information for the audio, climate control, trip computer and other systems.

This 90th anniversary commemorative special edition Axela offers outstanding eco-friendly and safety features as well as Mazda’s hallmark fun-to-drive dynamic performance.

Source: Mazda

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

2010 MAZDASPEED3 AT A GLANCE:

Exterior

• Design based on the all-new MAZDA3 5-Door, evolved for a sportier, more aggressive appearance
• New air intake to optimize intercooler efficiency
• Front fender and front bumper designs exclusive to MAZDASPEED
• The front grille and lower bumper sections share the same black metallic paint finish
• Wedge-shaped, curving character lines on the side panels and side under spoiler for a lower-looking center of gravity
• New, large floating rear spoiler
• New 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with the same three-dimensional design theme as the Mazda RX-8 R3 wheels

Interior

• Driver-oriented dashboard design gives a roomy, wrap-around, sporty feel
• New tachometer with red MAZDASPEED logo
• New LED turbo boost gauge between the driver meters
• Semi-bucket front seats with superior fit
• Seat upholstery in black base color with a red graphic design and red stitching
• Black interior color with an organic red graphic design throughout the cabin and red stitching for the steering wheel, shift boot, door trim, center console

Powertrain

• Acclaimed MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo producing high power of 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, and 280 ft.-lb. of torque at 3,000 rpm
• In-cylinder cooling effect from direct injection realizes ca. 10 percent more torque compared to conventional-intake turbo engines
• Top speed of 155 mph
• The world’s first single-nanotechnology catalytic converter helps to reduce the amount of precious metals needed
• Advanced boost pressure control suppresses sudden torque peaks for linear torque development
• Left and right drive shafts optimized to minimize torque steer
• Torque-sensing conical limited-slip differential (LSD) standard
• Specially-designed, 6-speed manual transmission with wider gear ratio than before
• Triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears and a double-cone synchronizer for fourth gear for optimized gearshift operation
• Low-viscosity transmission fluid reduces shift effort when the engine is cold

Chassis & Safety

• Special reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets and a large tunnel member for increased body stiffness
• Modified coil spring rates for MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension
• Larger diameter stabilizers with longer mount spans achieve greater roll linearity
• Special dampers with increased damping strength contribute to higher roll stiffness
• Now three highly rigid steering gear mount bushings instead of two used on the previous model for improved response to steering wheel action
• New wider Dunlop 18-inch tires with improved grip, more rigid sidewalls and damping strength for more direct steering feel and a stronger one-with-the-car feel
• Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS)
• Large diameter 12.6-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 11-inch rear solid discs, 8+9-inch tandem brake booster and 1-inch large diameter master cylinder for powerful and stable braking
• Newly-introduced electronic brake assist added to four-wheel ABS and DSC as standard equipment

-Source: Mazda Media