Autoblog

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]

Mazda's 6 is having a tough time finding love in its home market where it goes by the Atenza moniker. 7Tune is reporting that Mazda's going to flip the script and introduce three new variants of the Atenza; a coupe, a convertible, and a high performance version called the Mazdaspeed Atenza for JDM consumption. Mazda looked to the holy-grail BMW 3 series for inspiration, though that car is rear-wheel-drive, and hopes to achieve the same build quality with its Atenza line.

The vehicles in 7Tunes renderings are more conservatively styled than the current 3-Series, though that's hardly a bad thing. We think the renderings are easy on the eyes, with clear RX-8 influences, though all suffer from a basket-handle spoiler tacked on to the trunklid. It's tough to imagine the Mazdaspeed Atenza amounting to anything other than a tasty snack for the monstrous M3, though we're sure the Mazda will comport itself sportily. If any of this conjecture rings true, it's tough to go wrong benchmarking the icon of the segment.

[Source: 7tune]

Click either image for a gallery of high-res pics.

Mazda's presence at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the great aftermarket emporium in the East, will be marked with three Mazdaspeed concepts that should give us an insight into what's in store for the automaker's in-house performance arm.

The Atenza/Mazda6 concept we saw last week will be joined by hotted-up Axela (Mazda3) and Demio (Mazda2) models that receive a fair share of body enhancements and interior upgrades. Unfortunately, Mazda has yet to release an English language press release on its Japanese site and Google doesn't seem to be keen on providing a translation. However, we know that Japanese tuning houses, Ken Style and DAMD, had their hands in the development, so we'll see what's released when the show gets underway January 11 through 13.

[Sources: Mazda, Carview]

Click the image above for a gallery.

The 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon is right around the corner and despite rumblings that Mazda isn't considering making a 'Speed version of the Atenza/Mazda6, it's trotting out a concept to Japan's premier tuner expo to gauge consumer interest.

What's being dubbed the "Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept" found its way onto the Web, but information about the body kit-equipped concept is sorely lacking. We know it'll be coming to the show with new front and rear bumpers and some mild aero modifications, along with new side skirts, a lower ride height and a set of 18-inch 10-spoke wheels. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess as to what's powering the new 6 and how that power is finding its way down to the road.

Regardless, we've been able to source a couple of good photos of the concept and are hoping to have more information about all of Mazda's concepts bound for 2008 TAS soon.

[Source: Autocar]

The current Mazdaspeed6 has good performance, an attainable price point, and aggressive (if slightly homely) looks, but it hasn't exactly set the world on fire on the showroom floor. Part of the problem is that car buyers can get 268 hp Camrys and Accords with near-equal performance and superior fuel economy. The Speed6 weighs as much as a Sherman tank, too. We were hoping that the next edition of the Speed6 would succeed where the current generation didn't, but it doesn't look like there will be a next time. Mazda6 program manager Ryuichi Umeshita points out that the next 6 will be larger in the US than in other regions, which means Mazda would be paying for two different development programs. Any Speed6 would play for a smaller audience too, since the US edition would need different tuning than Europe/Australia and vice-versa. In the end, Umeshita basically said that he doesn't see big enough potential demand to make a Speed edition worth Mazda's time and money.

On the bright side, even though the next Mazda6 will be roomier and more refined than the model it replaces, it will also likely keep its zoom zoom character. The brilliant engineers at Mazda took an MPS minivan platform and created the large yet fun to drive CX-9, so it's fairly safe to expect good things of the next 6. Besides, if Mazda can wrestle from Ford the same 273 hp 3.7L V6 used in the CX-9, then any turbo talk will likely be in-material anyway.

[Source: GoAuto via Motor Authority]

click above image for high-res pics of the 2007 MazdaSpeed6

Mazda has released details about various changes for its 2008 model line, but only two points of interest concern us. Both the MazdaSpeed6 and Mazda6 Sport Wagon have been discontinued for the 2008 model year. The demise of the Sport Wagon comes at the hands of higher demand for the standard Sports Sedan and Mazda6 5-door. We say too bad, as the Mazda6 Sport Wagon was a kiddie hauler with some attitude, and we're surprised it gets the shaft before the 5-door sedan hatchback model.

If everyone could now take a moment to tip their 40-ounce for the all-wheel-drive MazdaSpeed6... thank you. This was a unique sports sedan, if based only on the fact that it utilized a turbo four-cylinder producing 270 horsepower rather than the more common 3.5L-and-above V6 mills that so many other automakers choose for their sports sedans. Some say it had a harsh ride, we say it was sharp. And the hood bulge, fender-filling wheels and dual-exhaust should tip you off anyway that this isn't milktoast.

One glimmer of hope that was found in Mazda's press release is the fact that the all-new Mazda6 (did you see the spyshots?) will not be a 2008 model, but more likely a 2009. So, if the fates are on our side, and we believe they are, the MazdaSpeed6 will return in a couple of years after the new model debuts and gets settled in. This time, however, we doubt it will packing as few as four cylinders.

[Source: Mazda via Kicking Tires]

Click the image above for more high res pics.

Mazda's been putting a considerable amount of stock into its newest entrant to the hot hatch segment, the Mazdaspeed3, or, as it's known in Europe, the Mazda3 MPS. With 260 HP and a 280 lb.-ft. of torque being sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual, you'd assume that it would be a torque-steering mess. A brief jaunt a few months back quelled that notion immediately, but Mazda has its sights set on more than just electromechanical problem solving.

In an effort to solidify its place as the most powerful, agile and competent competitor, Mazda brought three MS3s to Germany and let them loose under the capable hands of a few racing drivers. The goal was to show off the MS3's capabilities and make an attempt at the Nurburgring's track record for whatever class the hatch fits into.

Mark Ticehurst, a 'Ring virgin, was able to come within about four seconds of the lap record, posting a time of 8 minutes 39.66 seconds around the circuit. More shocking than the fact that Ticehurst came that close to the record without any previous experience in either the car or the track, is the considerable amount of traffic he encountered along the way. Our Gran Turismo fantasies of a clean track were promptly quashed after seeing how many bikers Ticehurst was forced to avoid during his laps.

Mazda released an account of the attempt, which is posted after the jump, along with three videos showing the MS3 in action.

Click the image above for our high-res gallery.

Mazda has got full-team coverage of this year's Targa Tasmania, running from April 17 through April 22. The five daylong rally includes a prologue that has already made its way around the Tasmanian village of Georgetown and establishes the order in which the competitors will compete in the coming stages.

The automaker is campaigning both a MazdaSpeed6 and an MS3 in the event, and is publishing updates on its website, including driver diaries, as well as providing videos on YouTube. The two vehicles have been prepped for the Modern Competition Showroom category, which aside from some safety equipment and new livery, means that the two entrants are identical to the vehicles that you can purchase at your local dealer.

Forty-two stages make up the 276-mile rally, winding its way though dozens of towns, beginning in Launceston and completing in Hobart. Three different classes make up the Targa Tasmania: the aforementioned Modern class, as well as the Classic group and a Rookie Rally category that only runs the first three days.

More information can be found at Mazda's Australian site and we've put together a gallery of both of Mazda's entrants.

Thanks to John for the tip!

[Source: Mazda.com.au]

Mazda North America struck fear into the hearts of traffic cones across the U.S. this week with the announcement of its 2006 Zoom-Zoom Live tour, which kicks off in Washington, D.C. August 12.

The tour will visit 10 different cities and offer nearly 50,000 drivers a shot at burning rubber in various Mazda vehicles. Each event features four driving courses where you can test your skills in Mazda's CX-7 crossover, the Mazdaspeed6, and the MX-5 and RX-8 sports cars.

Lots of prizes, food, fun, and best of all - it's free! More details and registration info at the Zoom-Zoom Live website.

[Source: Mazda]