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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Mazda will bring three new models to the New York Auto Show and one of them is the redesigned 2010 Mazda CX-9.
The CX-9 is a seven-passenger, three-row crossover SUV with unique driving dynamics that are not found in its segment. For the 2010 model year, the CX-9 receives an exterior and interior facelift, added options and reinforced safety features, while further improving Zoom-Zoom driving characteristics.
The 2010 CX-7 crossover SUVs and MAZDASPEED3 high-performance compact 5-door will also make their North American debut.
Press release after the jump.
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Mazda revealed at the Toronto Auto Show the 2010 CX-7. The SUV comes with a subtle facelift and also new engine: a a 161 hp, naturally aspirated 2.5 litre four-cylinder that is also found under the hood of the 2009 Mazda6 and 2010 Mazda3.
The new engine comes with Front-Wheel Drive coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Continuing as the top engine option is the familiar MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo (direct injection DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder) engine. Output remains the same, 244 hp at 5,000 rpm with 258 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm.
The exterior design of the 2010 CX-7 features revised front and rear fascias with the front adopting the larger five-point grille design similar in appearance to recently redesigned RX-8, MX-5 and Mazda3.
Press release after the jump.
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A little surprise this morning for the car of the year, as the Cadillac CTS did not win it, but don’t worry it stays domestic with the other GM flagship, the Chevrolet Malibu.
The Truck winner was a no brainer, already nominated in half of the car magazines, the Mazda CX-9:
Engineered with Mazda’s “Soul of a Sports car” signature, CX-9 deftly blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger sport-utility vehicle (SUV) practicality. For 2008, CX-9 reaches a higher level of performance with a new standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine, resulting in 10 more horsepower (273) and 21 additional lb-ft of torque (270) compared to 2007.
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Motor Trend named the Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV its 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year™. Beating one of the toughest fields in recent memory, the CX-9 was, according to MOTOR TREND editor in chief, Angus MacKenzie, the judges’ unanimous decision. It topped 11 other contenders.
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Mazda has released a document that describes the design process behind the CX-7.
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After being a big succes on the North America and the Japanese market, were more than 46,000 units have been sold, the Mazda CX-7 is coming to Europe adopting specifically engineered characteristics to meet the demands of European drivers.
The CX-7 was improved for better driving performance, handling and ride comfort. It features suspension settings, steering, brakes, ABS, ESP, NVH (for powertrain, road noise, window noise) and craftsmanship. In total, ca. 30 percent of the European (...)
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Having two sets of eyes – one in the front of their heads and another in the back – is something people all over the world have longed for since the beginning of time. Now, using a state-of-the-art rearview mirror-mounted liquid crystal display system, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) will be the first automotive company in North America to give SUV owners the ability to clearly see what’s happening behind the vehicle without taking their eyes off the road in front of them. The (...)
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Mazda has announced that as of January 19, 2007, total orders for the CX-7 in Japan reached approximately 1,800 units during the first month of sales since its domestic launch on December 19, 2006. This result is approximately five times the monthly target sales volume of 380 units, demonstrating a positive reception by Japanese consumers.
To date, nearly 60 percent of the orders are for the CX-7 grade, with over 40 percent of the orders for the CX-7 Cruising package grade. Brilliant (...)
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