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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.

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.

Mazda3 successor due in dealers this fall

Following exciting new models like the 2013 CX-5 and 2014 Mazda6, Mazda is getting ready to introduce the next generation of its high-volume compact, the Mazda3. After talking to several of Mazda's dealers, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is planning to introduce its new compact this fall, which is earlier than what was originally reported.
Aside from what we've seen in recent spy shots and what appeared to be a full-scale design mockup back in October, there is little information about the third-generation 3, but we can see that the car will get plenty of cues from Mazda's stylish Kodo design language, and we expect even more technologies from the company's SkyActiv efficiency program to come to bear. AN says that Mazda is hoping to top 300,000 sales this year in the US, and the sooner Mazda can replace the current aging 3, the better chances it has at reaching that goal.