2014 Mazda Mazda3 I Touring on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mazda keeping non-hybrid, non-electric Skyactiv strategy

Mazda still thinks that it can buck the trend of adding those fancy batteries and electric motors to its cars. At least for a little while longer. Hopefully. Speaking to Auto Express recently, Mazda's European boss, Jeff Guyton, said that he expects his company's cars to be able to get a lot more efficient without resorting to any of that fancy electrification stuff. "I think there's at least 20-30 percent better fuel economy by the end of the decade," he said. He said that he expected to get to Europe's low target of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer, "without any significant deployment of electrical drive." This part is all in line with Mazda's long-term Skyactiv strategy, as laid out back in 2011 and first mentioned publicly in 2010. Remember, this is the company that once proudly proclaimed, "Not Electric. Not Hybrid. Not A Drag To Drive." As explained back in 2011, Mazda hopes to wait until other automakers have done all of the heavy lifting on developing plug-in and hybrid tech so that when Mazda enters the market, things will be cheaper. Of course, Mazda has been quietly testing all-electric vehicles and Guyton said that there may be an Mazda EV at some point. "We are interested in electric technology and it will be in the distant future when it will be quite important," he told AE. "But we think it will take some time to be commercially attractive without tax payer-funded incentives." How much of a delay? Well, there is a gas-electric Mazda 3 hybrid available in Japan that uses some powertrain parts from the Toyota Prius, and we all know that the Prius has been around for ages. Maybe in 2025, Mazda will come out with a Leaf-based Mazda 2. Related Video: Green Mazda Fuel Efficiency Electric Hybrid skyactiv mazda skyactiv

Surprise! 2017 Mazda MX-5 RFs are already being delivered

Last month, when Mazda opened up ordering for Launch Editions of the MX-5 RF, the company estimated that cars would arrive in February. Well, today Mazda announced that some changes in production scheduling meant that MX-5 RFs are ready sooner than expected. In fact, Mazda already delivered an RF to a customer. The company delivered the first MX-5 RF Launch Edition in America last week to Dave Putter. He got the keys from Masahiro Moro, president and CEO of Mazda North America Operations, at the LA auto show last week. More RFs are coming, too. Mazda says that about 500 more will arrive across the country in December. Mazda also said that availability will expand throughout the winter and spring months. So, for people who've ordered a Launch Edition, it looks like you may get an early holiday gift. And for those waiting to check out normal ones in dealers, you won't have to wait much longer. Related Video:

The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF's trick roof will cost you at least $2,555 extra

Now that loyal customers have been given the opportunity to preorder the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition, Mazda has finally announced pricing for the regular 2017 MX-5 RF lineup. The vehicle, with its gorgeous power retractable hardtop, will come in two trims – the MX-5 RF Club and Grand Touring when the vehicle goes on sale early next year. The MX-5 RF Club with the manual transmission is priced at $32,390, including $835 destination, which represents an additional $2,955 over a six-speed manual MX-5 Club with a soft top. An automatic is a $730 option for both RF and soft top Club models. The range-topping MX-5 RF Grand Touring trim will start at $33,455 with a six-speed manual transmission, which is $1,170 less than the Launch Edition's price tag of $34,685 and $2,555 more than a soft-top model. Opting for the automatic transmission on the Grand Touring trim bumps the price tag up to $34,660. The MX-5 RF models are similarly equipped to the soft-top models. The Club models benefit from cloth seats with red stitching, a limited-slip differential (when equipped with a manual transmission), suspension from Bilstein, and an optional Brembo brake and BBS wheel package for an extra $3,400. The more luxurious Grand Touring models get adaptive headlights, heated leather seats, and lane departure warning. The MX-5 RF models, just like the regular soft-top models, don't have many options. Hands-free keyless entry is a $130 option, while premium paint options, which includes Machine Gray Metallic (the same color on the Launch Edition) and Soul Red Metallic both cost $300. Crystal White Pearl Mica is only available on Grand Touring models and will cost an additional $200. Unlike the Launch Edition that was limited to only 1,000 units, there's no production limit on the regular MX-5 RF. Mazda will being delivering the MX-5 RF Launch Edition in February of 2017, with the standard MX-5 RF models following shortly after. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF View 15 Photos News Source: MazdaImage Credit: Mazda Mazda Convertible Lightweight Vehicles Performance pricing mazda mx-5 rf