Mazda today officially unveiled the Kazamai Concept at the Moscow Motor Show. The concept gives a strong hint at where Mazda might be going with a compact crossover SUV. Small, lightweight with dynamic styling, low-consumption, a next-generation Mazda powertrain, it is meant to appeal to young, upwardly-mobile Russians with a strong sense of style and urban lifestyle demands.
Kazamai means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese, and was chosen to express the powerful yet nimble character of this crossover. Kazamai is part of the new flowing lines of Mazda concept cars like the Furai.
Mazda Kazamai will feature a DISI engine based on the current Mazda CX-7, with advanced technologies to minimize energy loss and vastly improved thermal efficiency. Mazda’s next generation 2.0-liter DISI engine also has combustion control technology and variable valve control that deliver strong torque throughout the rev-range for good engine response and fuel economy. A next-generation catalyst is used for good emissions performance.
Press release after the jump.
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Is not the first time you head that Mazda is working on a successor for the RX-8. But now, new info suggests that the future model use a rotary engine capable on running on gas or hydrogen power. The new cars is expected to be called the RX-9 and should take styling cues from the Taiki concept. It will offered with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions running the rear wheels. By the time the car goes on sale in 2012, Mazda believes it will have made the hydrogen engine 20 percent more efficient than anything else it is testing now.
Last Thursday, Tesla took a giant step to becoming a complete carmaker. Franz von Holzhausen resigned from Mazda and became the lead designer for the electric car company. At Mazda, von Holzhausen was Director of Design for the R&D Design Center in Irvine CA. While his name may not be very well known, his work is. Von Holzhausen created the Nagare and Furai concepts, and played a key role in the development of the Ryuga, Hakaze and Taiki concepts. His resume also includes VW’s Concept One and Microbus, as well as GM’s Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.
The acquisition of von Holzhausen is seen as a step towards Tesla’s plan to produce a range of new cars according to the famed designer. "It’s going to be an exciting adventure," stated von Holzhausen "I’m looking forward to working at a new startup company that doesn’t have the confines of a large OEM." While the Roadster was designed by Lotus, Tesla founder and Chairman Elon Musk is "looking to produce electric vehicles for the masses and wanted to bring design in house."
According to a company insider, Mazda will unveil the next generation Mazda3 by the end of the year with sales to begin in early 2009. Featuring a more aggressive design, the future Mazda3 aims to be a more stylish family hatchback. The exterior design will likely resemble Mazda6 from the rear and the Mazda2 from the front.
The engines will be carried over from the current generation, with diesel engines to get a bit stronger. A four-door sedan version of the new 3 will make its debut at the Los Angeles motor show in November, while the five-door hatchback 3 launches at the Bologna Show in Italy in December.
Mazda is ready to unveil its new generation Mazda3 next year. With design inspired by the newly launched Mazda6 and built on the Ford Focus platform, the future Mazda3 will be a family car that should still keep the driver entertained.
Under the hood there will be a wide range of Ford engines, with output ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 liters and diesels from 1.6 to 2.2 liters. The car will also loose some weight, so it will have improved performance.
A faster MPS version is also in the works. It will get the same five-cylinder turbo engine from the Focus ST that should produce around 250 hp.
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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For those folks who don’t know, the
Mazda RX-8 R3 Edition features a new sport pack consisting in a re-designed front bumper, new side skirts and rear wing spoiler, Recaro sport buckets and stylish 19” alloy wheels. According to the Japanese manufacturer the new edition promises to deliver more stability and better steering due to the new Bilstein sports suspension kit. Mazda announced that the pricing for the new R3 Edition will be approximately £25,000 or $50,000.
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
Now, who’d not love a Mazda? Fery few, I reckon. Although designs aren’t exactly the USP of this particular car maker, few buy a Mazda for looks. The Miata’s cute, and the 7’s a bit more muscular what with it’s flanked arches & stout body lines, with the Rx-8 taking the theme a level up; but the highlight of every Mazda has been it’s legendary rotary engine.
Displacing just 1.3 litres in volume, the Rx-8’s rotary engine pumps out 232 horsepower in stock form, and coupled to a six-speed transmission, makes for a very entertaining drive.
Little information is available on the new car, but sources suggest that the new Mazda would use the twin rotor Renesis series, which would displace 1.6 litres and breathe naturally, unlike the boosted variants coming out now. But there would be no compromise on performance; in fact, manufacturers claim that keeping the performance on par with the current outgoing model shouldn’t be an issue. What is interesting to note though, is that the new engines claim higher thermal efficiency, meaning better fuel efficiency and reliability. Tough competition for piston drivers.
The new car also promises a lot more than the current car in terms of handling and ride as well, with an all-new independent suspension and better weight distribution characteristics (helped in no small measure by the ultra-light engine & mechanicals).
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