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Mazda Miata getting i-ELOOP regenerative 'braking' in more markets

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is getting the company's i-ELOOP regenerative "braking" system in more overseas markets. A few months ago, the company announced it for the Japanese market, and this week it announced the U.K. will have the feature, too. This has us curious as to whether it will be offered on U.S. market Miatas. We've reached out to Mazda, and we'll update this story if and when we hear back. As a quick refresher, i-ELOOP is a system that was introduced here on the Mazda6 several years ago, and it adds a capacitor to store electricity generated by the alternator during deceleration (hence our earlier use of quotes around "braking") that can be used to run interior accessories such as the sound system and climate control. Then, with power coming from the capacitor, the alternator can be disengaged, improving the efficiency of the engine by reducing drag. And by using a capacitor rather than a battery, the system is more compact, lighter and able to recharge faster than a similarly capacious conventional battery. As for effectiveness, the Mazda6 with i-ELOOP managed to get about 5% more miles per gallon on the highway than one without, going from 38 mpg to 40 mpg. While not a massive improvement, it was a measurable, possibly noticeable one. Applying a similar gain to a Miata would increase fuel economy from 35 to nearly 36.75 mpg on the highway, based on the automatic-equipped car's numbers. The manual would go from 34 to nearly 35.7. The i-ELOOP system is standard on all new Miatas in the U.K., which includes the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines with either the manual transmission or automatic. Strangely, only automatic-equipped cars get it in Japan. This means Mazda could offer it on both transmission options in the U.S. Probably the key consideration will be cost. The system, when it launched in the U.S., was only available on the most expensive Mazda6, and even then it was an extra-cost option. And looking at pricing for the U.K. Miata soft-top and comparing equivalent trim levels, the price has increased between GBP2,800 and GBP4,100. The new model does get some new standard safety features, too, but we expect the i-ELOOP system is a significant contributor. If it is offered in the U.S., it might only be available as an option, and possibly only on the more expensive trim levels to keep lower trims more affordable. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Diesel First Drive Review | A tardy inessential

We were suspicious of the much-delayed Mazda CX-5 Diesel when it finally arrived at our office late this summer. Had it surfaced four or even two years ago, we might’ve been more bullish, but at least we werenÂ’t cynical — yet. Even the Volkswagen Dieselgate crisis couldnÂ’t turn our hearts against the CX-5 Diesel. We already like the CX-5, after all, we also like the eager torque, quiet ride and excellent fuel economy the Skyactiv-D engine would surely provide. But then we got the EPA ratings for the the CX-5Â’s diesel engine: 27 mpg city and 30 highway. Granted, thatÂ’s in an all-wheel-drive vehicle, but itÂ’s a serious disappointment. The turbocharged, gasoline-powered 2.5-liter I4 in the CX-5 Signature gets 24 combined mpg, while offering up to 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The diesel version is down 82 hp (at 168) and 20 lb-ft (at 290), while elevating fuel economy to 27 city, 30 highway and 28 combined. The non-turbo gas motor in lesser AWD trims narrows the gap to just 2 combined mpg in favor of the diesel. So whatÂ’s the selling point for the Skyactiv-D? Mazda says itÂ’s a premium experience, and thatÂ’s why itÂ’s only available in the top trim level. ItÂ’s easy to flinch at that, but it makes some sense, when you look at other diesels in the U.S. market The Signature trim of the CX-5, as with the Mazda6 weÂ’ve come to adore, is good enough to target the lower end of, say, Audi customers who are looking to get a bit more content for the buck. These might also be the same people whoÂ’ve come out of a TDI vehicle and are already sold on the diesel experience. From the first squeeze of our right foot, the diesel CX-5 makes a good impression. In town, we diced our way through Woodward Avenue traffic, made easy mostly by the CX-5Â’s relative small size and agility. There is one point in the throttle tip-in when the engine sounds particularly growly, and somehow more massive than its 2.2 liters of displacement. The illusion began to crumble when we reached our first highway entrance ramp. Putting our foot to the floor, we got the quick first hit of growly torque, followed by Â… well not much. This engine begins to run out of steam as it climbs the rev ladder. ThatÂ’s not totally unexpected, but it was definitely disappointing. Furthermore, as Assistant Editor Zac Palmer points out, “By opting for the diesel, you add 115 pounds to the curb weight (now 3,940 pounds) of a comparable 2.5-liter turbo (3,825 pounds).

Mazda replaces owner's crashed 2016 Miata with brand new car

The first shipment of 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miatas are finally here. Imagine the jubilant sensation of being among the 1,000 people to pick up the limited Launch Edition, only to feel eviscerated when the new roadster crashes hardly a mile away from the dealer. While it must be an absolutely horrendous experience, Mazda North American Operations is making things right for one forlorn couple. In what was surely among the first recorded crashes of the 2016 Miata in the US, a husband and wife recently went to pick up their new Launch Edition, but they were rear-ended almost as soon as they left the dealer. According to Jalopnik, the hit also caused the roadster to slam into the car in front and might have bent the frame. To make a bad situation even worse, the wife also needed to be taken to the hospital to be checked out. Mazda is coming to the couple's aid with a generous gift. Knowing that it's utterly unfair for the new owners not to enjoy some top-down driving while the summer lasts, the company is actually sending the pair another Launch Edition to replace their crashed example. According to a Facebook post by the dealer (below), the car should be available sometime next month. Hopefully, the couple can enjoy thousands of miles of roadster driving with this one. After hearing about one of our customers getting rear-ended just minutes after picking up their new Miata, Mazda is sending out a replacement next month! #LongLiveTheRoadster Posted by Tom Bush Mazda on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Related Video: