2006 Mazda Mx5 Miata Nc 6spd 2dr on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Next Mazda CX-9 spied for first time

After plenty of rumors, we finally have our first look at the second-generation Mazda CX-9. Development of the crossover look to be very far along based on these of production bodies hidden under form-fitting camouflage. The overall aesthetic, based on what we can see here, is very much in keeping with Mazda's handsome Kodo design language. The CX-9 you see here looks pretty much like a Mazda3 scaled up about 279.3 percent, with a five-pointed grille and expressive headlights prefacing a sculpted, swooshy body. In back, there's an aggressively raked rear window that won't do any favors for cargo capacity, but makes for a handsome silhouette. And if previous Mazdas are any indication, we'd expect the CX-9 to feature a very handsome, high-quality cabin, although it's impossible to see in these images. According to our spy photographers, the new CX-9 will abide by Mazda's Skyactiv philosophy, which should make for both an entertaining an efficient three-row crossover. A 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder will be the engine of choice, replacing the antiquated V6 of the current model, and will be available with an all-wheel-drive system. While this engine is slated for the CX-9, enthusiasts should take note that this first Skyactiv turbo will likely form the basis of future Mazdaspeed efforts. As previously reported, the CX-9 will make its debut this November at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2017 model. Should any info pop up before then, expect to see it here.

Mazda's EV resistance may mean CAFE trouble ahead

Is Skyactiv the limit for Mazda? The Japanese automaker has ridden its gas-powered engine technology platform to the upper end of fleetwide fuel economy among automakers in the US. But the company's lack of electrification, either hybrids of plug-in vehicles, combined with increasing sales of crossovers, may limit future fuel-efficiency gains, Automotive News reports. Mazda has no plans to add battery-electric variants across its product line, the publication says, citing comments from Mazda North America CEO Masahiro Moro. So far, the dependence on Skyactiv has worked well, as Mazda was the second automaker - after electric-vehicle maker Tesla Motors – to meet the US fuel-economy mandate of 34.1 miles per gallon for 2016. Additionally, Mazda plans to unveil the second-generation version of Skyactiv next year. Using a technology called "homogenous-charge compression ignition" (HCCI), Mazda's gas-powered engines will approximate the compression in diesel engines, boosting fuel economy accordingly. Because of that development, Mazda's Moro is "very confident" that the company will meet the US Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate for 2021. With no plans for US plug-ins or hybrids (Mazda's only hybrid, a variant of the Mazda3, is sold in Japan), Moro is not so sure about meeting the 2025 CAFE mandate of 54.5 mpg (which equates to a "real world" fuel economy of about 40 mpg). Additionally, Mazda's "biggest regulatory headache" will be meeting California's mandate that 15 percent of the state's new-vehicle sales be zero-emissions within the next decade. In 2011, Mazda laid out its strategy of leaning on its Skyactiv technology instead of moving to drivetrain electrification as a way to boost fleetwide fuel economy, saying at the time that "you can't out-Toyota Toyota and you can't out-Honda Honda." The company also took a strong stance against even the idea of electrification in vehicles. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mazda's model-year 2015 vehicles averaged 30.1 mpg, beating out Honda's 28.9 mpg, Subaru's 28.7 mpg, and Nissan's 28.3 mpg. Mazda's fleetwide fuel efficiency increased from 29.4 mpg for the 2014 model year, and from 28.1 for the 2013 model year, according to the EPA. Related Video: Featured Gallery Mazda3 SkyActiv-Hybrid View 21 Photos News Source: Automotive News-sub.req. Green Mazda Fuel Efficiency Green Automakers Electric Hybrid skyactiv mazda hybrid mazda electric car

Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo reshapes a winning form [w/video]

In the history of endurance racing, there's only ever been one Japanese automaker to win the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, and as you might have guessed, that was Mazda in 1991 with the 787B – which was, incidentally, the only one ever to win the race under rotary power, or really anything other than a conventional piston engine. That racing success is something Mazda can be proud about, even over two decades later, and it's a badge of honor the automaker is revisiting with the LM55 prototype you see here. Only instead of unleashing it on the Circuit de la Sarthe – or really any actual race track – the Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo is bound only for PlayStation. The latest addition to the Vision Gran Turismo lineup, the LM55 takes inspiration from the aforementioned 787B but gives it a modern KODO design theme. The result is pretty stunning, taking a more radical approach than the Skyactiv Prototype the company is fielding in the United SportsCar Championship or even the dearly departed, head-turning Furai concept. But unlike that diesel prototype and the Wankel-powered 787B, Mazda hasn't specified any kind of novel powertrain for the LM55, fictitious or otherwise - saying only that it has "advanced drive train technology that offers the epitome of power, efficiency and durability and the result is an exceptional power to weight ratio exceeding that of most cars in its class." Just what that class would be we'll likely never find out, but if you don't have a PS3 loaded with GT6 (or, for that matter, even if you do), you can scope out the virtual action in the slideshow above and the rather Christmas-y video below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo View 23 Photos News Source: Polyphony Digital Toys/Games Mazda Concept Cars Racing Vehicles Videos Gran Turismo gt6 vision gran turismo