Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mazda Furai

Of all the Nagare-themed concepts that Mazda has released over the past two years, one stands out. The Mazda Furai concept was unveiled this past January in Detroit and it walked away with our internal Best of Show award. Built around Mazda's two-year-old ALMS Courage C65 chassis and motivated by a 450-hp, three-rotor Wankel juiced by E100 Ethanol, the Furai was a concept that stood above the rest. Part of that was due to its stunning design, but mainly because it was also runner. And run it does. We've already seen video of the Furai testing at a track in Japan, and now we get to experience what its like inside during a few hot laps around the Buttonwillow circuit. Hit the jump to check it out, and make sure your speakers are turned up to 11, unless you're still at work.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mazda Taiki concept.

Mazda is finally going to employ the styling cues shown on its Taiki, Ryuga, Hakaze and Furai show cars with a supermini concept, due to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The concept aims to slot in below the Mazda2 and may be the first production model to benefit from the Nagare design theme. Other models utilizing Laurens van der Acker's swooping and sculpted lines are expected to come to production in 2010, including the redesigned Mazda3.

Mazda also plans to unveil a small crossover concept at the Moscow Motor Show later this year, which will likely be based of the Ford Kuga and utilize the same Nagare DNA. This new CUV will be specifically designed for the Russian market, which Mazda maintains could overtake Germany as the largest market in Europe. But bringing this cute 'ute to the UK and the US is a possibility, as consumers continue to downsize their rides.

[Source: Autocar]

Click either image for a high-res rendering of each model from AutoExpress.

The Mazda Performance Series, or MPS, is what we've come to know in the U.S. as "Mazdaspeed." It's quickly becoming one of the defining characteristics of modern-day Mazdas, and with the releases of the new Mazda6 and its baby brother, the Mazda2, we've been anxiously awaiting Mazdaspeed's tweaked versions of both vehicles.

In addition to getting the scoop on the new Evo MR and STI Spec C, AutoExpress has got the goods on Mazda's two new hot offerings. A concept version of the Mazda6 MPS will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October, complete with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four, sending 280 hp to all four wheels, and sprinting to 60 in six seconds. Naturally, the Mazda6 MPS (or Mazdaspeed6 when it makes the trek to U.S. shores) will be sporting an aggressive front clip, spoiler, side skirts, bigger wheels, a stiffer suspension and upgraded brakes when it goes on sale in 2010.

Less information is available about the Mazda2 MPS, but expect a turbo'd 1.5-liter mill sending around 170 hp to the front wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and some exterior and interior tweaks to bring it up to Mazda Performance standards. If and when the Mazda2 makes it to the States, we'd expect the Mazdaspeed2 version to follow shortly thereafter.

[Source: AutoExpress]

If you've ever smashed up a car in an accident, you've probably had the unpleasant experience of dealing with insurance agents who assess what can be saved and what has to be written off. In most cases, insurance companies might find ways to save as much as they can. But the insurers of the Cougar Ace want to make sure every last nut and bolt of some $100 million worth of new Mazdas are completely scrapped.

The Cougar Ace, as you'll recall, was a ship full of Mazda automobiles that nearly capsized in the Pacific Ocean two years ago. Although the cars were securely strapped down, Mazda deemed it impossible to determine the extent of the potential damage caused to each of the vehicles on board, so rather than risk the cars making their way onto the market – like many Katrina-damaged vehicles from New Orleans three years ago – the company and its insurers decided each car had to be scrapped. The process of destroying 4703 vehicles, however, proved to be quite a challenge. Airbags had to be triggered, wheels sliced and tires purposely punctured. For the airbag process alone, it would have taken half an hour for each car, so Mazda developed a device to inflate them all at once on each car, saving countless hours of work. The result is a seemingly counter-intuitive disassembly line turns the nearly 5000 new cars into metal shards. Follow the jump to read more about the process.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Click above for a photo gallery of the 2009 Mazda6

Mazda has released the first photos and initial details on the new 2009 Mazda6. Designed specifically for North America, the car shares many cues with the Japanese and European-market cars that hit the scene over the last year. The car Americans and Canadians will drive is, in fact, bigger than its overseas counterparts. Visually, the front and rear fascias differ from the Japanese and European models as well. The USDM car gets a bisected grille and has its foglamps pushed out to the corners below the bumper. As we'd seen in spy photos, the car gets a completely different trunk, rear bumper, and exhaust treatment that's more appealing than the plainer setup Japanese and Europeans get.

Since Mazda released only exterior shots, we'll have to wait to see what the passenger accomodations look like. Base power comes from the same 2.5L four-cylinder base engine used in the Japan/Euro car, mated to either a 6-speed stick or 5-speed auto. The step-up 3.7L V6 is the same one you'll find under the hood of the CX-9. It's only transmission option is a six-speed auto with a manumatic sport shift feature. Horsepower and torque numbers for the USDM car haven't been released yet, but figure on seeing something in the neighborhood of 170 hp/166 lb-ft from the four. The six produces 273 horses and 270 lb-ft in CX-9 trim, so we'd expect something along those lines. Mazda's press release is pasted after the jump, in which you'll find no mention of either a wagon or 5-door hatchback variant. The '09 Mazda6 arrives as a sedan only, and it'll land in your local dealer showrooms later this summer.



[Source: Mazda]

According to an attendee at a recent Mazda dealer meeting, we'll be seeing a refreshed version of the MX-5 late next year as a 2010 model. After catching a brief glimpse of the new MX-5, a forum member at Miata.net posted that the 2010 model will be sporting headlamps and taillights similar to those found on the redesigned Mazda6, and will benefit from a few other improvements including a slight increase in power. While we can't confirm any of this, we've heard similar rumblings in the not-so-distant past, and with the redesigned Mazda3 right around the corner, Mazda might be trying to lend a bit more stylistic cohesion to its lineup before full revamps take place after the turn of the decade.

However, one piece is missing from the Miata puzzle. What about the Mazdaspeed version of the MX-5? It's been assumed that Mazda would release a boosted version of its iconic roadster before the next model debuts. If the facelifted version is indeed bound for the 2010 model year, that could be an indication that a Mazdaspeed MX-5 is on its way. Here's hoping.

[Source: Miata.net]

So you're a customs officer in Beijing, and out of the trailer you're inspecting is hauled a... a what? The Japanese people who have accompanied it, who claim to be from Mazda, also claim that it's a concept car. Frankly, it could also be a submarine, or it might eat people -- or it could be an elaborate ruse for hauling drugs or bombs. So the officials at Beijing airport let the dogs out to sniff for, well, probably everything. Finding nothing, the Taiki was allowed to roll on to the Beijing Auto Show. Nothing in there but coffee grounds, sir, just coffee...

[Source: The Tycho]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Targa Tasmania-ready Mazda3 MPS.

Mazda is heading Down Under to compete in the Targa Tasmania for its eighth campaign. The team, consisting of Rick Bates and Alister McRae, will be charging through the outback in one specially prepped Mazda3 MPS (or Mazdaspeed3 to those of us in NA). The 2WD Showroom Targa rules dictate that the vehicle has to remain somewhat stock, with the carpeting, power windows and audio equipment keeping things civil as the driving duo covers over 2,000 km during the six-day race. Naturally, the Mazda is outfitted with the necessary safety equipment, including a PCD roll cage, racing seats, five-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher, but the performance modifications are kept to a minimum. The MPS is equipped with upgraded springs and struts, brake pads, a new steering wheel, navigation equipment, cat-back exhaust (cats are still fitted), some additional ducting to cool off the brakes and a revised ECU. The race begins on the 15th of April and you can follow the teams' progress at Mazda Australia's Targa site.

Mazda's full press release is posted after the jump.

Everyone loves a good shootout and it's even better when the two vehicles duking it out are actually attainable. Enter the WebRidesTV crew who setup shop at our new favorite road course, the Horse Thief Mile at Willow Springs, to run the Mazdaspeed3 and Volkswagen R32 through their paces to see which vehicle provides the best bang for the buck in the hotter-than-hot hatch segment. While the performance and price discrepancy is rather high – the R32 is packing fewer ponies but comes in with a higher sticker – the reviewer is keen to point out that both models have their high and low points. The MS3 may put down better lap times, but the R32 might have it beat on interior accoutrements and a more Grand Touring demeanor -- as with any review, it comes down to what you value more.

You can view this newest review from WebRidesTV after the jump and check out their last shootout between the Roush and Saleen from last month.

Head out to any open track day and it's likely that you'll find more Mazda vehicles making the rounds on the tarmac than almost any other make. It's not rare to find out that at least one of the instructors doing a ride-along campaigns a Spec Miata, and during our last event, the same guy that flogged his caged MX-5 around the course (and was kind enough to help us figure out turn six) got into a Mazdaspeed3 for the long trek home from Thunderhill.

Mazdas currently account for around half the cars running during SCCA events, something that seems to be better for the brand than throwing big money at NASCAR or F1 in pursuit of serious performance credibility. And it's not just good for perception. Mazda sold $6.9 million in parts to grassroots teams last year and is expected to increase that amount to $7.8 million this year. While that's a small percentage of the overall Mazdaspeed sales for the year (MS products account for around $130 million total), it's obvious that Mazda has set the pace for any other automaker that wants to get in on the ground floor of racing.

Mazda's success is primarily based around its expansive lineup of products – everything from basic bolt-ons to ceramic apex seals for rotary engines –plus, SCCA-licensed racers can buy cars at discount, hit up the dealer for parts and if they forgot something come race day, there's a good chance that Mazdaspeed has a trailer at the event. The old adage of "race Sunday, sell Monday" holds less value today than it has in the past, but Mazda could redefine the saying to "Sell (parts) Friday, race hard Sunday."

[Source: Autoweek]