2006 Mazda 3 S Sedan 4-door 2.3l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2017 Mazda CX-9 Prototype First Drive

If you read our coverage from last week's Los Angeles Auto Show, you'll note that we were extremely fond of the new Mazda CX-9. We like the look of the thing, inside and out, and it promises to be the best-driving entry in the three-row crossover class. We agree wholeheartedly with that claim. You see, we already drove it. Full disclosure: Our test of the camouflaged CX-9 prototype you see here was short, and while we were able to get a good handle on the CX-9's basic driving dynamics, it'll take more than a 30-mile session around the outskirts of LA to uncover the finer details. What's more, these vehicles are not production ready. In fact, according to our handlers at Mazda, the CUV we tested was actually at the stage before pre-production – so basically, a pre-pre-production car. That said, all the details about the engine, transmission, suspension, and steering are "largely final." As you can see in the gallery, the cars we tested were heavily camouflaged both inside and out. As for styling, we love it – see the undisguised pictures from the LA show for more views. And as for inside, we can say leather seats of our Grand Touring model were comfortable and supportive, and the smallish steering wheel felt natural in the hand. Even in pre-pre-production state, the CX-9 was impressively quiet. An extra 53 pounds of under-floor sound deadening, thicker windows, and active noise cancellation all contribute to what Mazda claims will be "among the quietest vehicles in its class." It's worth noting that the good sounds, like the throaty, whooshy noises of the turbocharged engine, found their way into the cabin just fine. The 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine – Mazda's first force-induced Skyactiv engine – is an excellent piece. The 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine – Mazda's first force-induced Skyactiv engine – is an excellent piece. It uses a variable geometry turbocharger, which the company calls a Dynamic Pressure Turbo. Here's how Mazda explains it: Imagine a normal garden hose. Put your thumb over the nozzle, and the force of the water increases dramatically. That's the DPT at low rpms. It features three small exhaust ports to direct exhaust gases into the turbo, making for 17.4 quick-spooling PSI at low rpms. As the revs climb, a flow control valve opens up, redirecting the gases to a trio of larger ports – removing your thumb from the hose, if you will – and keeping the boost up.

Autoblog readers meet the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata [w/video]

Mazda dropped off a 2016 MX-5 Miata at our office this week with only two stipulations: don't break it, and don't talk about driving impressions until 3:01 AM Eastern on Monday, June 1. Easy enough. But rather than hold our notes until the embargo lifts, we decided to do something different. By now, you've no doubt read all there is to know about the 2016 Miata, including our review of the Japanese-spec car with the 1.5-liter engine that isn't coming to North America. You know it's smaller than the outgoing NC model. And you know that, at 2,332 pounds, it's nearly as light as the original. But what you, and we, didn't know, is what Miata owners think about the 2016 model. The MX-5 group is incredibly enthusiastic, and they love their cars. Hell, they love each other's cars. So we gave them an opportunity to not only get together, but to get an up-close, informal look at the ND Miata outside of an auto show, several months before it officially goes on sale. Here's what we did. Cars And Coneys Anyone who's familiar with the Woodward Dream Cruise in metro Detroit has no doubt heard of Athens Coney Island in Royal Oak, MI. It's an iconic place, known for its top-notch coney dogs, quick service, and the fact that, on pretty much any warm-weather weekend, you can find cool cars in the parking lot. We called the folks at Athens, told them about our Miata meet-up, and they were immediately on board with coneys, soda, and coffee for our gathering. We first published our meet-up info late last week, and sent the details out on our social media channels, as well. But without any formal RSVP system, we had no idea how many people would show up. And since Mother Nature decided to provide us with gray skies and chilly temperatures, we figured a lot of would-be attendees opted to bail at the last minute. Needless to say, we were surprised to see several Miatas already lined up in the Athens parking lot when we arrived with the ND at 4:40 PM, 20 minutes before the listed 5:00 start time. No one kept a formal count, but our best guess is that something like 50 or 60 cars showed up over the course of three hours. Some folks stayed the whole time, some people only stopped by for a quick cup of coffee. A couple people drove long distances to attend – a few Miatas hailing from southern Ohio, and many from western Michigan. We had a huge mix of cars, too.

Fiat reconsidering Mazda-based Alfa Romeo roadster? [w/poll]

Alfa giveth and Alfa taketh away. With apologies to Job (he has gone through a lot, after all), that's how things are looking at the Italian automaker - whether it's the promise of new products or its impending return to the North American market. But it's especially true when it comes to new roadsters.
While Alfa Romeo is expected to unveil the 4C Spider at the Geneva Motor Show this week, reports are now suggesting that its other roadster project is being called into question. That project is a joint venture between Fiat and Mazda, which was set to produce a version of its next MX-5 Miata as an Alfa Romeo, and was even changing the design to accommodate Alfa's requirements.
Now it appears, however, that the whole project in doubt. The problem seems to stem from Sergio Marchionne's pronouncements that, as long as he's in charge, there won't be an Alfa Romeo built outside of Italy.