Here at Top Speed we love anything and everything that goes fast, so during our weekend on the Monterey peninsula we had to make a stop at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the MotoGP Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. Once there we were pleasantly surprised when the track staff offered us the opportunity to take a ride around the prestigious racing circuit aboard one of Mazda’s modified safety cars. The lineup of matte black and white pace cars included an RX-8 four door sports coupe, a CX-7 crossover and the all new Mazda 6.
At first we were a little disappointed not to see a Miata wearing the pace car livery, equipped with the fancy amber light bar and beefier tires allowing the trio of Mazdas to corner like champions and stay ahead of the two wheeled racers. However, after a quick trip in the CX-7 and Mazda 6, we were absolutely convinced that the Miata’s fun to drive DNA runs rich throughout the entire automaker’s lineup.
When the track marshall told me to get into the CX-7, our thoughts were limited to, “what a bummer, we come all the way to California and we get stuck riding in the cow of the group", boy were we wrong. Inside the crossover everything was stock except for a circuit board to control the flashing lights and a roll bar that gave the bright blue Scroth 4 point racing harnesses a place to secure themselves to while we were strapped in tight to the leather wrapped seat. The only modification to the drive train of the Euro-spec CX-7 were a set of Brembo brakes and a set of plus sized forged TE-37 wheels from Volk Racing wrapped in sticky rubber.
Nevertheless, it seems that these basic modifications were enough to turn the CX-7 into a track day special. It was amazing how well the sports inspired crossover handled on the track. We were instantaneously blown away by how fast this little Sport-Utility could lap the circuit, and especially the way that the driver was able to tame the infamous corkscrew. We were surprised to find ourselves on the heels of the other safety cars, the driver was really hammering it. Truning in sharply, pumping the steering wheel like mad, clipping the apexes, pushing the CX-7 to its limit. The car did an amazing job of staying on track. Mazda has truly figured out a way to incorporate their zoom-zoom high performance attitude into even the most unlikely of products.
Check the gallery for more photos and details about each of the cars.
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The 2009 Mazda6 (Euro specs) is one of the safest cars in the world: five-stars rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme.
For 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a more stringent evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating combining the scores achieved in four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. The Mazda6 was in the first group of vehicles tested under the new framework.
Mazda models in Europe that received the highest possible five stars for Adult Occupant Protection under the previous Euro NCAP rating system include the Mazda5 (Mazda Premacy) in September 2005 and the Mazda2 (Mazda Demio) in December 2007.
Press release after the jump.
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We got a preview of the Mazda RX-8 Circuit Trial last month, but just in case you need to hide your track car’s origins in something a little more sedate, Mazda will offer the Circuit Trial package for the 6 sedan.
The car includes unique aerodynamic parts, racing decals, sport seats and bigger wheels. The Circuit Trail seems to pay special attention to the suspension with a stiffer setup and high-performance brake pads. Mazda has been tight-lipped about the details of the car, but that should change once the Tokyo Motor Salon opens this weekend.
Just like the RX-8 Circuit Trial, the U.S. has not yet been named a recipient of this car.
Mazda has enlisted the help of graphic design house Troy Lee Designs multiple times, but that was usually for its trucks and sport utes. But with the new Mazda6 on the way, the company went to the racing design house for a little work on its new sedan for the SEMA show.
The customized Mazda6 features custom paint by Troy Lee Designs, with paint prep and detailing by L&G Enterprises, paint material by PPG and body modifications by Funktion USA, to create an exterior design that is part chameleon and part racer.
To add to the racer look and feel, 18” Momo Strike wheels and Hoosier tires were added. Other mods includes a suspension by Eibach Springs, 6-piston big brake kit by Wilwood Engineering, and custom brake fabrication by JD Performance.
Since this car isn’t exactly straight out of Mazda’s accessories catalogue, don’t expect this NASCAR-like Mazda6 in the showroom anytime soon.
Press release after the jump.
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Mazda today begun North American production for the all new 2009 Mazda6.
The North American model features a larger body and greater engine displacement to meet the particular demands of the North American market with handling and comfort being optimized for North American road conditions.
Two spirited engines will be available: the newly developed 2.5-liter direct injection I-4 that drives the European and Japanese versions of the all-new Mazda6 and –for extra performance– the 3.7-liter V6 that powers the Mazda CX-9, the 2008 North American Truck of the Year.
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Mazda today announced the US prices for the 2009 Mazda6. The new sports sedan will go on sale in late August, 2008 at a price of $18,550 for a MAZDA6 i SV, equipped with a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a six-speed manual transmission. Pricing for the 2009 MAZDA6 s, powered by a 273-horsepower V6 engine and six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission begins at $24,130.
Power for the 2009 MAZDA6 will be available from an all-new Mazda-designed and developed MZR 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a 273- horsepower 3.7-liter V6, as used in the 2008 CX-9, Motor Trend’s 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year and the 2008 North American Truck of the Year. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6). I-4 models equipped with the Sport AT are certified at the ultra-clean SULEV level, and PZEV in California-emission states. All V6 models meet ULEV standards for all 50 states.
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Mazda is launching the first vehicle in its “"Zoom-Zoom Evolution" second-generation line-up, the 2009 MAZDA 6. The four-dour vehicle features two engine options: an all-new MZR 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 3.7-liter V6.
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2009 Mazda6
Mazda USA announced pricing for the 2009 Mazda6. Prices start at $19,850 for the entry level Mazda6 i SV and go up to $25,850 for the Grand i Touring version.
The Mazda6 i SV will be powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that delivers 170 hp; while the Mazda6 s Sport will be powered by a 3.7 liter V6 engine that delivers of 272-hp. The s Sport version has a price of $25,150.
Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6).
Full pricing after the jump!
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Mazda announced today that the all-new 2009 Mazda6 will launch later this year, with an expected on-sale date in late summer, 2008. The highly anticipated 2009 MAZDA6 is the first of Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom Evolution” second-generation vehicles, building on a heritage of sports sedans and sports cars that no other manufacturer can boast, and bringing a combination of sports sedan, sophistication, build quality and product insight not currently found in the market.
Following on the heels of the CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs, the 2009 MAZDA6 was designed and engineered for the needs, wants and desires of the North American customer. As it has been since the first MAZDA6 launched in 2002, all North American MAZDA6s will continue to be built at AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Mich, a joint venture with partner Ford Motor Company.
The North American MAZDA6 differs from the similarly named car sold in the rest of the world in many ways: larger interior and exterior size, more powerful engines and unique styling. What it retains, however, is something that earned the first MAZDA6 more than 130 international awards and accolades: it delivers Zoom-Zoom, and in large doses.
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Mazda is working on two new versions for the Mazda6 (or Atenza on the Japanese market): coupe and cabrio will be added to the current sedan and station wagon line-up. A high performance version is also under consideration: the MazdaSpeed Atenza.
Both new models will be based on the sedan chassis and Mazda hopes to achieve build quality on par with the BMW 3 Series models. The whole Atenza line up will mimic the BMW 3 Series range with both companies offering sedan, wagon, cabriolet, coupe and high performance models.
Mazda will also produce a high performance Mazda 2 to address the demand in Europe for a more powerful version, although whether it will be marketed as a proper Mazdaspeed model is yet to be decided.
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