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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata design walkaround

By now, you've likely read what we think of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata's new looks both inside and out, and you've probably poured over the available photos and started to make up your own mind about the roadster's radically more aggressive new appearance. More than likely, however, you haven't heard much from Mazda itself about its new design, and we're here to remedy that. Join Autoblog as we go over the new Miata from tip to tail with Derek Jenkins, Mazda North America's director of design. Jenkins, a veteran of both Audi and Volkswagen design studios, has been with the Japanese automaker for nearly four years, and he's kept a close eye in the ND Miata program along with his team in Irvine, CA. Check out our video to see Jenkins explain his team's exterior and cabin handiwork and to learn a little more about why the new model graduates from the Miata's historically cute and friendly aesthetic to something altogether more assertive.

Mazda just restored the 787B's forgotten older brother

Among Mazda's many racecars, none is as famous as the 787B, and for good reason. The 787B remains the only Japanese car and the only rotary-powered car to win overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It wasn't Mazda's only successful endurance racer, though. Before the 787B, there was the 767B. Mazda's 767B racecars competed in the IMSA GTP class at endurance races throughout 1989. They featured 630-horsepower four-rotor engines and were very successful in their class. This newly restored car took first and second place class finishes in five of the six races it participated in, and each finish was in the overall top ten. The one exception was a DNF in which the transmission failed. Twenty-five years after the 767B's glory days, Mazda initiated a complete teardown and restoration of the aged car. The work was done by Downing Atlanta and supervised by former Mazda racers Rick Engman and Jim Downing. (Fun fact: Downing was one of the designers of the HANS device.) The shop has also restored other racecars for Mazda, including one of the 787Bs. The car went through a two-year rehab and will make its track re-debut at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The event takes place next weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca where the track will once again feature the angry shriek of a competition-grade rotary engine. Related Video: Image Credit: Mazda North American Operations Motorsports Mazda Automotive History Racing Vehicles Pebble Beach

Mazda begins building Mazda3 in Mexico for US

With fluctuations in international currencies and rising shipping costs to take into account, foreign automakers can't get away with building cars overseas and selling them in North America as easily as they used to. Particularly with inexpensive mainstream models. And given the benefits of cheaper labor and free trade under NAFTA, many have opted to assemble their cars for the North American market in Mexico. That's why the likes of Toyota, Mercedes and BMW have all opened plants in Mexico. And now Mazda has followed suit.
Ground was initially broken for Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operations at Salamanca in the state of Gunajuato back in 2011, but production has just now gotten under way. The first vehicle to roll off the line? A Mazda3 sedan destined for the United States. Soon, the plant will begin production of the next Mazda2 as well, selling it alongside its larger counterpart across the Americas and in Europe as production expands to 230,000 units annually. For more information, see the official press release below.