Top Nice Cars: Mazda

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Mazda Releases UK Pricing and Specifications on New CX-5

Following its launch in several markets around the world, the new Mazda CX-5 is now available for pre-order in Britain with first deliveries to take place this spring.

The compact crossover model, which is Mazda's first production model embody its SKYACTIV technology, will be offered with a choice of three engines including a 2.0-liter petrol producing 165PS (163bhp), and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel with either 150PS (148bhp) or 175PS (173bhp).

When you hear the term “classic” car, you surely think of something old but rare and most likely expensive, like an Aston Martin, a Ferrari or perhaps even some good ol' American iron.

The sole Japanese model that fetches serious money in the classic car market is Japan’s first supercar, the Toyota 2000GT. Collectors pay more than US$400,000 for the road versions while a 2000GT racer is currently being offered for US$1.7 million.

Whatever you think about the insane prices that some people are willing to pay for them, you would never apply this term to 30-year-old run-of-the-mill Japanese compact cars.

There was a time when ABS and a couple of airbags was all a car needed to be considered safe. Today, however, things have changed radically: not only have Euro NCAP and NHTSA crash tests forced manufacturers to create much safer vehicles, but they’ve also resulted in the addition of not just passive, but active safety systems as well.

Mazda for example, had developed a new system that helps distracted drivers avoid frontal collisions at slow speeds. It's called called the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and it will be available in the new CX-5 compact crossover.

There's unquestionably no shortage of special-edition MX-5s for those that want a more unique version of the world's best-selling roadster model. In fact, only just last week, Mazda displayed the black-top "Special Edition" for the U.S. market at the Chicago Auto Show.

However, in Mazda's books, there's always a niche to fill with the MX-5. Today, the Japanese automaker announced another special edition designed exclusively for the European market that will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

We saw the new Mazda Takeri concept for the first time at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon last December and now the mid-size sedan will be making its European debut at at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.

What's special about the Takeri is that it isn't one of those fantasy concept models that will go away after hitting the motor show scene as it previews the styling of the next Mazda6 range, expected in 2013.

The Takeri is the latest Mazda concept to adopt the Japanese firm's "KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme after the production CX-5 SUV and the Shinari sports sedan study showcased at Geneva last year.

Just a warning; if you ever happen to travel to Russia, you'd better be on the lookout for a black Mazda6 sedan with a hefty blonde passenger. She's trained to kill your vehicle if you ever cross paths with her, so watch out… Amuse yourself for about a minute in the video that follows below the jump. Read more »

Mazda Records US$1.3 Billion Loss, “Actively” Seeks Partner

Last week, Mazda forecast a net loss of 100 billion yen (US$1.29 billion) for the fiscal year that ends March 31 and a 2 percent drop in its global sales, to 1.25 million units.

This is the fourth year in a row than Mazda records negative results and it's also the company's second biggest loss in the last 11 years after the US$2.0 billion damage it posted in the previous fiscal year that ended in March 2011.

Mazda has released the full rundown on the pricing and equipment specifications of its all-new 2013 CX-5 crossover, which launches in the States exclusively with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine rated at 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque and either FWD or AWD.

Customers can choose from three different trim grades called Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, with the entry-level FWD Sport model offered with a six-speed manual gearbox and the rest of the range with an automatic transmission. According to Mazda, the CX-5 returns 35mpg on the highway and 29mpg combined.

Prices for the crossover start from US$20,865 for the base Sport, which rises to US$21,660 if you include a $795 (*) destination and handling fee (Alaska $840.00).

Do you remember the MX-5 Sport Black Edition launched in Britain last summer or perhaps its twin from Japan, the MX-5 Black Tune Edition released this past October?

If the answer is yes, we would like to congratulate you on your excellent memory and tell you that the 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition that will be unveiled at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show is more or less the U.S. market version of those two models – hence the RHD pictures released by Mazda.

Mazda's U.S. arm is recalling 52,390 Tribute SUVs from the 2001 and 2002 model years that were manufactured from April 20, 2000, through July 19, 2002, because of a potential problem with the brake master cylinder reservoir cap, which can break, and leak brake fluid. Read more »

SCOOP: 2014 Mazda6 Test Mule Trying Out its New Hardware

Mazda engineers continue the development of the next generation "6" sedan's chassis and mechanical hardware under the cloak of the existing model's body panels, albeit in modified form as you can see from the wheel arch extensions on this prototype that our spies snapped in Europe.

If you're wondering what the new Mazda6 will look like, then all you have to do is take a gander at the photos of the swooping Takeri concept car displayed at the last November's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

The handsome study with its voluptuous curves generally received praise for its design. Hopefully, the production Mazda6, which is due sometime in 2013, won't stray too far away from the original concept.

Mazda announced today that it has commenced production of the diesel version of its new CX-5 crossver at its Ujina plant near the company’s Hiroshima headquarters. The new compact SUV will be available in Japan and Europe in spring, with other markets to follow including the U.S. from early 2013.

The CX-5 is the first model in Mazda’s range to be powered by the new Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel engine.

We had first heard rumors about Mazda's plans to debut its first diesel-powered model in the States last summer, but now, a company spokesman has not only made it official but also gave a launch date.

Speaking with Car&Driver magazine, Mazda spokesperson Jeremy Barnes, said: “It’ll be here between 15 and 18 months behind the launch of the Skyactiv-G gasoline engine in the Mazda 3.”

How many times have you heard or read about a car's overall appearance or a particular section reminding people of something? The answer is probably too many times to count.

Well, here's one more for your list that comes courtesy of a reader over at Reddit. The photo shows a first and third generation MX-5 parked together in a garage with a humorous comment about each model's fascia. If you can think of a better quote (s), the comments section is all yours.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a safety recall on certain Mazda5 minivans from the 2009 and 2010 model year.
This recall focuses on the van’s fuel pump, with NHTSA citing that water may not have been completely removed from the pump’s harness connector before vehicle assembly. Thus, the connector pin may corrode, causing the pin to break. If the harness connector breaks, this could lead to an inoperative fuel pump. The Mazda5′s engine could stall, and the inability to restart the engine increases the risk of a crash.
Approximately 16,200 of the Mazda minivans are effected by this problem, and the safety recall is expected to begin on or before December 11th. Dealers will inspect the fuel pump connector and replace the harness free of charge. For the full details, follow the jump to read NHTSA’s official statement.

Mazda Shinari concept car pictures

Mazda has revealed the first glimpse of its new cool car design called Shinari. Mazda wheeled out the 4 door coupe show car at a design event in Milan, but official 'studio' renderings and outdoor shots of the car have also leaked out onto the web as pictured below.

The Shinari's key styling cues include a prominent, gaping-mouth grille that does away with Nagare's 'smiling face', ultra-slim headlights and an Aston Martin-esque side vent just behind the front wheels. Inside, the concept is a strict 4 seater.

The future of the Shinari concept isn't clear at the moment. It could be a close preview of the next-generation Mazda 6, test mules of which were unveiled at last week's Mazda engineering showcase. Alternatively, a modified version of the Shinari could become an indirect successor to the RX-8, which has become a victim of Euro5 emissions regulations.