2002 Mazda Miata Ls Convertible 2-door 1.8l on 2040-cars

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Mazda going back to oval grille with next MX-5 Miata

The original Mazda MX-5 Miata was distinguished by an oval grille - a design trait that gradually evolved into the smiling cat face on the latest model. But Mazda, according to the latest intel, is planning on returning to that oval grille with the new model in the works.
The revised grille will cap a slightly longer form than models past, while still keeping weight down to a minimum. The stretched wheelbase was reportedly adopted in order to meet the requirements of Alfa Romeo, which is jointly developing the new platform together with Mazda for use on a new roadster of its own.
The new Miata is expected to adopt the 1.5-liter Skyactiv four found in the Mazda3, albeit returned to rev higher and deliver more power and torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic. The Alfa version, meanwhile, is expected to use a 1.4-liter turbo four with a dual-clutch transmission. Sources anticipate the new MX-5 to debut first, possibly at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show a little less than a year from now.

Mazda 787B and Vision Gran Turismo tower over Goodwood in 131-foot sculpture

Mazda is being honored at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed by getting the space to create the event's annual sculpture outside Goodwood House. Given this year's theme of "Flat-out and fearless: racing on the edge," the Japanese automaker is showing off two of its racers at the very top of an intertwined spire that rises over 131 feet above the motoring event. The statue's design is the work of artist Gerry Judah, and it's made from over 132 tons of steel, including 418 beams, towering over the event. A Mazda 787B, the only Japanese car to ever score an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the company's LM55 Vision Gran Turismo concept are featured at the very top. Spectators can certainly get a good view of the racers, too, because the sculpture twists to actually hang the cars above visitors. "Gerry has faithfully expressed our brand in a striking and beautiful structure that is clearly Kodo. There is a lightness and strength to the sculpture, yet it gives the cars movement and energy," said Ikuo Maeda, the General Manager of the Design Division at Mazda, in the announcement about the statue. Each year, Goodwood selects an automaker to create an artistic piece with the brand's vehicles outside of the estate's manor. Mazda shares some very prestigious company in being picked, too. Often rising high into the sky, in the past we've seen outstanding work from Audi, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, and Porsche. Goodwood celebrates Mazda's motorsport heritage Mazda is the subject of the central feature at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed Immense sculpture features Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B and LM55 virtual racer Goodwood / Leverkusen, 25 June 2015. Mazda's racing heritage is the centre of attention at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. The central feature of the annual motoring event is a spectacular 40-metre high sculpture in front of Goodwood House featuring two Mazda racers bursting into the sky on a twisting track of steel beams. Inspired by Mazda's KODO – Soul of Motion design, the creation of artist Gerry Judah conveys a grace and agility that disguises the complexity of the installation, which is made from 120 tonnes of steel. Each of the 418 steel beams is stacked at a different angle, curling the structure so that the cars at the top actually hang over the spectators below.

Mazda3 diesel under consideration for US, hybrid not so much

It's been a long time coming, but we finally clapped our eyes on the real deal, officially official 2014 Mazda3 in hatchback form yesterday. Yet there's a lot more to learn about this next-generation version of what has always been one of our favorite compacts. We know that the US version will come with one of two Skyactiv engines, but what about alternatives? Will there be any... or will the gasoline-fed four-cylinders be powerful and frugal enough to carry the day?
According to Automotive News, the answer is a definite maybe. Mazda North America CEO Jim O'Sullivan has told the trade publication that his employer will consider adding the company's well-liked 2.2-liter Skyactiv diesel powerplant to the model down the road. However, the company first wants to see how the engine fares with American consumers in its big-brother Mazda6 sedan, a model that goes on sale later this year. As for a potential Mazdaspeed3 successor, mum is still the word.
Anything else? Uncharacteristically, Mazda will build a hybrid model of its new 3. We say "uncharacteristically," because the Japanese independent has long shied away from gas-electric powertrain tech. In fact, it's gone so far as to boldly announce its aversion to the technology, with auto show banners proclaiming "Not Electric. Not Hybrid. Not A Drag To Drive." Despite all that, this new generation of Mazda3 will in fact be the company's first full hybrid production model. According to AN, however, O'Sullivan says that the company has "no plans" to sell it in the US.