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Mazda Turbo 2
 
There’s no chance you can wipe the smile off of the Mazda 2Turbo’s face because quite frankly, this is the most awesome Mazda 2 we’ve ever seen. Details behind the car’s specs have yet to be revealed - we actually found the photos on Mazda’s Flickr page - although the caption it came with pretty much sums up what this car is all about: “One of our most powerful turbocharged engines in our lightest platform. ’Nuff said!” The name seems to suggest that the race-spec hatch will come with a turbocharged engine that could potentially be akin to something a lot more powerful than the car’s existing 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 100 horsepower. Exactly what kind of powertrain lies under that hood? At this point, it’s anybody’s guess. But if we were to take a little stab at it, we’re guessing that it could be somewhere along the lines of a 2.3-liter unit that pumps out 244 horsepower. It seems a little outrageous given the car’s current capabilities, but then again, that’s what the SEMA Auto Show is all about. Whatever the case may be, we’re itching to find out what the Japanese automaker has in store for us with this gnarly little beast that’s already looking like it’s armed and ready to tear up race tracks from here to Timbuktu. Updated 11/09/2011: Check the picture gallery to see new images of the Mazda Turbo 2 from its official at the SEMA Show. 2011 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R
The Mazda RX-8 is set to run off into the sunset in a year’s time, but for one of Mazda’s most popular models, the inevitable end only means being given a proper swan song before officially saying goodbye. Before the curtain drops on the RX-8 next summer, Mazda is preparing one final special edition model called the Spirit R. The car will be based on the manual version RX-8 Type RS and the automatic Type E and will be limited to only 1,000 units. The two model variants of the RX-8 Spirit R will carry distinct styling features, including unique badges, fog lights and rear combination lights decked with black bezels, red painted brake calipers, a piano-black trim for the transmission tunnel, and a choice of three exterior paint finishes: Aluminum Metallic, Sparkling Black Mica, and Crystal White Pearl Mica. On top of that, each model will have their own features. For the RX-8 Type RS trim, the added goodies include Recaro bucket seats and a special set of 19" bronze alloy wheels. For the RX-8 Type E trim, the changes include a black leather treatment on the interior with contrasting red stitching, a new sports suspension, larger brakes, and a set of 18" alloy in gun metallic finish wrapped in 225/45R18 91W tires. The special edition RX-8 will drop in dealerships beginning November 24, 2011. So if you’re a fan of the RX-8 and you want to give it the send-off it deserves, here’s your chance to prove it. UPDATE 05/02/12: Initially limited to only 1,000 units, the growing demand for the RX-8 Spirit has prompted Mazda to extend production of the special edition RX-8, adding another 1,000 models in the pipeline, thereby doubling the total number of this model to 2,000 units. So if you missed out on the first 1K, be happy that you get another shot of getting your very own RX-8 Spirit. 2012 Mazda CX-5
So soon after the Minagi concept was revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Mazda has come forth with details of the future production model. The Minagi was concocted as a preview version of the next CX model so the fact that the production model is called the CX-5 shouldn’t be too alarming to Mazda fans. The Mazda CX-5 will be the third model in the CX line-up, next to the CX-7 and CX-9, and will appropriately be the smallest one. The CX-5 will be the first production vehicle to incorporate Mazda’s new design theme, ’KODO - Soul of Motion’ that was revealed with the Shinari concept. This new design theme includes a prominent new front view with a bolder family face and dynamic styling that conveys a strong sense of vitality and agility. The future SUV will also use the full range of breakthrough SKYACTIV technologies, including engines - both diesel and gasoline - transmissions, body, and chassis. The future CX-5 will go on sale worldwide in 2012. UPDATE 02/06/12: Mazda has finally unveiled the pricing details for the 2012 CX-5. Check out how much it costs after the jump! Hit the jump to read more about the new Mazda CX-5. Full story 2010 - 2011 Mazda RX-8
First launched in 2003 as a replacement for the rotary powered RX-7, the Mazda RX-8 received a face lift in 2009. Even if the four door sports car was a success from the beginning, the little 13B equipped RX-8 made the most of a refreshed exterior and interior with bolder lines and even more details, it was exactly what the car needed to stay ahead in the sport compact market. Available in three trim levels: Sport, Grand Touring and R3, the new RX-8 offers something for everyone from the entry level rear wheel drive shopper to the hard core enthusiast with prices ranging from $26,495 to $32,660. For 2010, the Mazda RX-8 receives a new front bumper design with a larger grille opening and more pronounced front lip that was actually requested by the racing team, new headlamps, wider front fenders, LED clusters in the back and a redesigned rear bumper with larger exhaust tips. The inside of the freshened RX-8 benefits from some new trim materials making a sportier cockpit and the tachometer now features a variable red zone that rises as the engine comes up to temperature, just like the V8 powered BMW M3. However instead of an octet of pistons pumping up and down under the hood, there lies a compact 13B twin rotor Renesis engine making 232 HP at a screaming 8,200 RPM and 155 lb-ft of torque. This allows the RX-8 to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 145 MPH. UPDATE 08/22/2011: Mazda is shutting down production of the RX-8 due to lackluster sales and ever tighter global emissions standards. Last year, the company was only able to sell 1,134 units and this year, sales through July have dropped 21%. Production in Hiroshima, Japan ceased in July and US dealers only have 300 units left to sell this year. Press release after the jump. Full story Mazda may end Wenkel engine
When Mazda first introduced its Wenkel engine in 1961, the automotive world was set alight it. Soon after, many manufacturers clamored to build their own. This engine was an automotive Gibraltar, no matter the challenges it faced, the Wenkel soldiered on. These challenges came from every angle from new emissions standards in 1970 to an oil crisis three years later, in addition to innumerable engineering issues. Mazda cultivated their Wenkel engine and planted it in their sporty RX-7 and it was an instant hit. Even when the RX-8 emerged as a successor to the RX-7 in 2001, the Wenkel heart beat on. Now as the RX-8’s production run is scheduled to end in 2011, a steady stream of rumors about the current Wenkel engine’s successor have flown past our desks. First, we are going to ask all Mazda fans to take a deep breath. Okay, now that that is taken care of, we have some bad news according to Ward’s Auto Mazda is considering putting the new engine development on hold. The reason for this cutback was that at this time of economic woe, Mazda was looking for a way to reduce expenses and apparently this new engine program is very expensive. We hope that even as the bean counters are clamoring about diminishing profit margins, Mazda continues to develop this engine. It provides the RX-8 and it’s successor with fantastic high performance and, in the era of pretty and almost all identical cars, Mazda offered a unique take on a sports car. We all hope that Mazda comes to their senses and keeps this iconic power plant. Report: Nissan Working On Battery-Powered Miata Rival
 Nissan is rumored to be working on an affordable sports car, as a rival to the Mazda MX-5. The catch? Nissan’s sports car will feature an electric or plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the car that usually comes up in discussion when automakers set their sights on developing an affordable sports car. Since its debut in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 has become the standard for world-class handling in a package to fit anyone’s budget. Some would accuse the MX-5 of being underpowered, but when it comes to the ability to carve corners with razor-like precision, the MX-5 has few rivals, and none in its price range. If new rumors surrounding Nissan are correct, that’s about to change. As part of its plan to launch 52 new cars over the next five years, Nissan is rumored to be working on an affordable rear-drive sports car. It will be built on a midsize platform purchased from Daimler, that ultimately will be used on the next generation 370Z, GT-R, and Infiniti G as well. More details after the jump. Full story 2011 Mazda MX-5 Sport Black Limited Edition
Mazda is squeezing in as many MX-5 special editions as it possibly can before releasing the next generation of the small sports car, and today another one is getting added to the list. The latest special edition MX5 is called the Black Limited Edition and was inspired by this year’s highly successful MX-5 GT race car. It will be limited to only 500 units and, on the British market, will be priced from £22,995 - or about $37,500 at the current exchange rates. The new special edition will be distinguished by three unique paint finishes - Spirited Green Metallic, Crystal White Pearlescent, and Velocity Red Mica - and a Brilliant Black powered retractable hard-top. These exterior colors will be contrasted by dark "gun metal" 17-inch alloy wheels. On the interior, the MX5 will get black leather with contrasting "sand" color stitching, a Piano Black steering wheel and deco panel, and Limited Edition floor mats. Model recognition will come from unique ‘Black Limited Edition’ exterior badging and uniquely numbered interior plaques. Aside from the distinguishing features, the Mazda MX5 Black Limited Edition will also get a slew of standard equipment, including climate control air-conditioning, a premium Bose audio system, an integrated hands-free Bluetooth system, cruise control, and front fog lights. UPDATE 09/01/11: The Mazda MX-5 Sport Black Limited Edition is getting ready for orders and to commemorate the occasion, we’ve uploaded more photos of the special edition Miata in the photo gallery. Check the new pictures out and maybe you’ll just end up scoring one of the 500 available pieces of the Japanese sports car. Top Gear USA: Season 2 Episode 1
 Top Gear USA is back for its second season and, after watching the first two episodes of The Car Show, we were hoping it would start off with a bang. Unfortunately, it was more like a muffled beep. The only segment in the first episode of the season was a series of challenges trying to convince viewers that pick-up trucks could be replaced by two-door models. The guys ended up choosing a Ford Maverick, a BMW 335E, and a Mazda Miata as their specimens. The challenges were a bit eventful and a little humorous, but overall a bit disappointing. Maybe Top Gear USA was trying to move away from the mirror image segments from the original Top Gear, but this path was not the right one. We just hope that the next episode adds a bit more oomph because, for the first episode of the season, we thought more could have been done to convince viewers that this was the car show to watch. Hit the jump for all the details on Top Gear USA Season 2 Episode 1 Full story Mazda MX-5 "Bullet Roadster" lives and breathes its V8 engine
The essence and beauty of the Mazda MX-5 lies in its small sports car body and engine. Lately, however, it seems as if bigger is getting continually better and Australian native, George Covacic, is showing proof of that with his highly modified MX-5 Bullet Roadster. According to Covacic, this particular model is the fifth Roadster that was built in the late 90s and the first to feature a V8 engine (all original Bullet Roadsters carried the RX-7 13B powerplant from the Mazda RX7). As of right now, all we can do is take his word for it, but if that’s all you need then this model is currently on sale for $46,191. The 4.6L all-alloy, fuel injected V8 engine found in this Bullet Roadster was supplied by Covacic himself and came mated to a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission. Covacic also contributed the differential from a Holden Commodore SS, but the brakes and suspension - like the original Bullets - came from a Mazda RX-7. As of right now, the Covacic Bullet only has 10,008 miles on it. As for the non-technical stats, this particular Bullet comes in a "Grace Green" with a black leather interior and features a number of elements that were considered very high end at the time of its release. These include 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, power windows, and an Alpine CD stereo sound system, as well as a Momo steering wheel, shift knob, and drilled pedals. 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Karai Special Edition
There’s not much arguing the fact that the MX-5 Miata is one of Mazda’s most popular models of all time. So if there was any other car in the Japanese automaker’s lineup that has earned the right to spawn special edition models left and right, it’s their iconic sports roadster. With that thought in mind, Mazda has once again given fans of the MX-5 Miata another special edition model for their consumption. This one, called the Karai, comes from the automaker’s European division and has been given plenty of new digs that will most definitely give it plenty of attention from die-hard Miata fans in Europe. You can make a case that the all these special edition Miatas have become one too many, even for its popularity. But that’s the thing with this venerable roadster; somehow, people just can’t get enough of it, no matter what their tastes and preferences are. The Karai, which means ’sharp’ in Japanese, certainly fits the name it was given. Sharply dressed with plenty of aesthetic upgrades, the MX-5 Miata Karai is one that’s going to be a hit to European die-hards of the legendary model. Details after the jump Full story | featured reviews:Mazda cars reviews2014 2013 2012
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Mazda cars
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