Auto blog

The Mazda MX-5 Miata and saving a marriage

I've had the privilege of knowing Zach Bowman – former Autoblog scribe, now penning great things over at Road & Track – for nearly a decade. We met at the Detroit Auto Show when we were both relatively new to the business, and joked about how someday, we'd work together and eventually conquer the world as big shots in the industry (we're still figuring that last part out, by the way). Thus, I was thrilled when Zach joined Autoblog in 2010, just a couple of months after I was hired, and was equally saddened when I learned he'd be leaving us. Zach is someone I'm proud to call a colleague – nay, a friend – and I've enjoyed the voice he's brought to this line of work. I tell you this on a personal level because Zach has just published what you could arguably consider his most heartfelt piece of automotive work to date. It's a charming, emotional story about his relationship with his wife, and how they, like so many young couples, learned to make marriage work through the many ups and downs found in any solid relationship. I call this "automotive work" because Zach intertwines this tale into a story about driving his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata across the country, his wife by his side, learning about love and life from the cockpit of a two-seat roadster. I can honestly say it's one of the best things I've read in a long while. Rather than continue to wax poetic about Zach's latest piece, I'll let his own words speak for themselves. Head over to Road & Track to read the full piece.

Mazda recalls 374,500 vehicles because of Takata inflators

The Basics: Mazda will recall 374,519 examples of the 2003-2008 Mazda6 manufactured from May 29, 2002, to May 5, 2008; the 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 built from July 1, 2005, to June 29, 2007; and the 2004 RX-8 made from June 25, 2003, to June 30, 2003. The Problem: These vehicles contain front passenger airbag inflators from Takata that could rupture in a crash. If this happens, it could spray metal shrapnel at an occupant, which could seriously injure or even kill the person. Injuries/Deaths: The report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration didn't mention injuries or deaths, but Autoblog reached out to Mazda for confirmation. Takata's rupturing inflators allegedly have links to nine deaths globally and around 100 injuries. The Fix: Mazda dealers will replace the passenger side airbag with a new one. If You Own One: Mazda has not said when the replacements for these vehicles will begin. Experts believe that prolonged exposure to high humidity can cause the inflators' ammonium nitrate propellant to ignite too quickly in an accident. More Information: This recall is a nationwide expansion of Mazda's passenger's side airbag recall, which was previously limited to high-humidity regions. The population now includes 310,592 additional examples of the Mazda6, Mazda spokesperson Tamara Mlynarczyk tells Autoblog. The company discovered this new issue after Takata tested an inflator taken from a Mazda6, and it ruptured, according to NHTSA documents (PDF). The company already had a national safety campaign to fix the driver's side airbags in these vehicles. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture Report Receipt Date: DEC 23, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V869000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 374,519 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) MAZDA MAZDA6 2003-2008 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 2006-2007 MAZDA RX-8 2004 Details close Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations SUMMARY: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 29, 2002, to May 5, 2008, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to June 29, 2007, and a limited production of model year 2004 RX-8 vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, to June 30, 2003. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Edition sharpens, styles the new roadster

One could argue that any iteration of the last-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata was worth having. But were it our money on the line, we'd have likely driven home with the Club, a simple trim that, for a reasonable $28,665 (for the retractable hardtop model), added a number of performance and aesthetic features. The 2016 MX-5 Miata Club Edition should prove to be a successful followup. Like last year's model, it adds a limited-slip differential, a retuned suspension with Bilstein shocks and a tower brace under the hood. On the aesthetic side of the game, 17-inch gunmetal wheels are included, along with a new rear spoiler and a front splitter. For those that demand an even sharper Club Edition, though, Mazda will also offer even lighter wheels, courtesy of BBS, along with Brembo brakes and the aero kit from the MX-5 Global Cup racer. Check out our full original post on the MX-5 Miata Club Edition, as well as a complete gallery of live images from the 2015 New York International Auto Show. Related Video: 2016 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA CLUB MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW - Performance-focused MX-5 Club has trim level-exclusive Bilstein suspension, limited-slip differential - NEW YORK (April 1, 2015) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today introduced the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club at the New York International Auto Show, marking the world debut of the North American-focused Club model. Lighter, smaller, quicker and more nimble than its predecessor, MX-5 has adopted Mazda's full suite of SKYACTIV Technology and KODO-Soul of Motion design. In the process, MX-5 has shed approximately 150 pounds from its predecessor, with a curb weight of 2,332 lbs. when equipped with SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission (2,381 lbs. with the six-speed automatic transmission). The MX-5 Club heightens performance with trim-level exclusive: - 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels wrapped in 205/45R17 tires - Limited-slip differential when equipped with SKYACTIV-MT - Bilstein shocks when equipped with SKYACTIV-MT - Shock tower brace when equipped with SKYACTIV-MT - Front air dam and rear lip spoilers Standard equipment on MX-5 Club models includes MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system with a seven-inch color touchscreen display and multi-function commander control, HD and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, two USB ports, piano black side mirrors and seatback bars and a nine-speaker Bose audio system with headrest speakers.