2015 Mazda Cx-5 Grand Touring on 2040-cars

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Preorders open for the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition

After unveiling the gorgeous 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, the Japanese automaker announced plans to give loyal customers first dibs on one of the 1,000 models. Preorders are open at 12 PM EST on Monday, September 26th at the Mazda MX-5 RF Launch Edition website. Customers who were sent an invitation with a personalized code will have a limited time to put a $500 refundable deposit down on a limited model. Customers also have the opportunity to select the dealership where they would like to complete the transaction. Pricing for the MX-5 RF has also been announced with the sports car starting at $34,685, including destination and handling. That's roughly $9,000 more than a base MX-5 Miata. Deliveries of the sports car will begin in February 2017. While the MX-5 RF is a looker, $9,000 is a lot of change for the Launch Edition, which only adds a black roof and special badges over the regular MX-5 RF models. All 1,000 Launch Editions will be finished in Machine Gray with a black roof panel and Auburn Nappa leather on the inside. Buyers who opt for the Launch Edition will also get a numbered 42mm Tourneau watch, and can choose between an automatic and a manual transmission. The MX-5 RF Launch Edition should sell out quickly, as the 2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition sold out in roughly 10 minutes when it went on sale in 2014. Didn't get an invite to preorder the Launch Edition? Worry not, as Mazda will open the special model to the general public on October 3, if there are any left. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF: New York 2016 View 13 Photos News Source: MazdaImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL New York Auto Show Mazda Convertible Lightweight Vehicles Special and Limited Editions Performance pricing mazda mx-5 rf

MotorWeek checks out two sides of the '90s Japanese car scene

MotorWeek's Retro Reviews let you feel nostalgic about a huge range of classic cars, and the latest two releases offer a look at two very different sides of the Japanese car market in the 1990s. The video above shows off tuned examples of the Mazda RX-7 and Nissan 300ZX. Check out the clip below to remember the 1997 Honda CR-V, if you want to reminisce about something a little more utilitarian. The RX-7 and 300ZX were among the era's best Japanese sports cars, and these examples' suspension and engine overhauls gave them an extra boost. Peter Farrel Supercars tunes the Mazda, and the vibrant yellow paint and body kit make it look ready for an episode of Initial D. The updated powertrain stands up to the mean styling and gets the RX-7 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. The Stillen 300ZX GTZ sports a giant wing, and new turbos take the output to 465 hp. It sprints to 60 in 4.9 seconds. The CR-V sits on the opposite end of the automotive spectrum as the tuned RX-7 and 300ZX, but it's even more important in a historical sense. The Honda (along with the Toyota RAV4 and others) was among the progenitors of today's mega-popular compact crossovers. These early examples set the foundation for offering buyers a utilitarian vehicle in a comfortable package with good fuel economy at an affordable price. The CR-V had some quirky charm, too, like the removable picnic table hidden in the cargo floor. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2021 Mazda CX-5 Review | What's new, safety, prices and pictures

If you're looking for a compact luxury SUV but are iffy about the higher price tags and running costs (quite understandably), the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is a perfect alternative. It all starts with its elegantly sporty styling and carries inside where its handsome design and plush materials are a clear step up from others at its price point. Then, when you're behind the wheel, the CX-5 impresses with engaging driving manners that we've routinely described as being indicative of a "budget Porsche." Its available turbocharged engine even has as much or more power as several similarly sized luxury crossovers. Now, if the CX-5 can be credibly considered an alternative to luxury vehicles, it's safe to say that it also stands tall against non-luxury choices like the popular Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Certainly, its style, plush interior and driving manners count for a lot. It also gets a new infortainment system for 2021, addressing one of this Mazda's few low points. It's still smaller than those top competitors, particularly in the cargo area, so if max utility and versatility are a priority, it may not be the best choice. Fashion and function rarely go hand-in-hand, and the CX-5 is no exception. What's new for 2021? The CX-5 gets a much-needed new infotainment interface for 2021. It's the same unit found in the smaller CX-30 that dramatically improves upon Mazda's previous interface with its large 10.25-inch display, better graphics and menu structure, and revised controls on the center console. Many will still prefer a touchscreen interface, but this is no longer the potential deal breaker it once was. Another addition for 2021 is the CX-5 Carbon Edition, pictured below, which adds black trim and wheels to an exclusive Polymetal Gray exterior, as well as a red leather interior.  What's the CX-5 interior and in-car technology like? The CX-5 boasts a handsome, upscale design with materials to match, exuding a premium vibe that none of its direct competitors can match. Its top two trim levels, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, have seats that are heated all around and ventilated up front, covered in high-quality leather with contrast French stitching. There's stitching on the dash, too, though it goes through rubbery stuff. The padded and stitched pleather on the doors and center console are a nicer touch, as is the subtle dark wood and alloy trim — especially the air vents that seem to jut out from within the dash.