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Based on the 1.8-liter model, the limited edition MX-5 comes with a special exterior styling package that includes chrome grille, door handles and headlight fascia along with silver-look fog lamp surrounds, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and 20th Anniversary logos.
It will be available in three exterior colors - True Red, Crystal White Pearl and, specific for this edition, a new Aurora Blue, with matching body-color painted decorative elements in the interior.
A front suspension bracing bar and a scuff plate in stainless steel with its unique serial number (from 1 to 2000) complete the upgrades.
More details and pricing will be revealed at the car's world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon.

Mazda has officially unveiled the US-spec Mazda2 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Described as an "eco-friendly, fun-to-drive five-door hatchback", the Mazda2 is a small B-segment car with sleek styling and a sporty design. According to Mazda, "The basic form of the new Mazda2 is characterized by a combination of dynamic performance, sportiness and simplicity that leaves a strong visual impression."

While the company declined to release any performance data, Mazda said the car will have "...two key attributes: 1) a sense of linear acceleration and deceleration that responds crisply to how far the accelerator pedal is depressed, allowing the driver to control car speed as desired; and 2) a sense of liveliness through immediate response to the accelerator for quick off-the-line acceleration and overtaking." Ah ha, so that's how it works....

Since it was launched in 2007, the Mazda2 has won 48 awards including the prestigious World Car of the Year award (in 2008).

Look for more information to be released when the Mazda2 goes on sale in the summer of 2010.

Mazda has announced that it will take part in a joint project to test electric vehicles in Japan, by providing three Mazda2 / Demio superminis to be converted into EVs and will also assist in determining the vehicle specifications and evaluating the car's performance. Among the companies participating in the project, which will be lead by the Itochu Corporation, are Norway's Th!nk, Seiko and Nippon Car Solutions.

The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project is scheduled to commence in March 2010 in Tsukuba city, near Tokyo.

The Japanese automaker said that through its participation in the EV project, it aims to further strengthen the base of its future R&D activities in the development of its electric drive technologies.

Via Carscoop

The Ford Fiesta's Japanese cousin, the Mazda2, will make its debut on this side of the Atlantic at the Los Angeles Auto Show in early December, the company announced today. Mazda said that the North American-spec hatchback will go on sale in the USA and Canada beginning in late 2010.

The Japanese firm has not disclosed any specific details or photos for that matter, but we suspect that the NA version of the Mazda2 will benefit from the same subtle cosmetic tweaks, chiefly up front, as the Thailand version of the subcompact hatch featured in the opening picture.

"Bringing Mazda2 to North America completes the bookends in our line-up," said Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. "The Mazda2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value.In short, it will be the definition of Zoom-Zoom."

What you see pictured here is a conceptual vision for a 2+2 sports coupe with reverse opening rear doors designed to replace the current Mazda RX-8. The so-called Mazda RX-Z was conceived by Romanian design student, Adrian Ciprian who took a different -but not necessarily better- styling approach ditching most typical new-generation Mazda design cues except for the 'smiley' five-point grille.

The artist also claims that he envisions the RX-Z being fitted with a hybrid powetrain comprising of a front-mounted diesel engine and a pair of electric motors at the rear.

Understandably, this means that the Mazda-badged sports car proposal isn't much of a member of the 'RX' series, but hey, it's just a hypothetical design study.

Via: Diseno-art

Unless you happen to live in Japan, chances are that like us, you've probably never heard of Suzusho Ltd before. After a bit of snooping around the firm's website, we found out that Suzusho is small company that builds a Lotus 7 replica named Suppase-C for the domestic market. At this month's Tokyo Motor Show, the company will launch a new model called Supasse-V which is a small mid-engined coupe that's schedule to go on sale in Japan sometime during 2010.

It's definitely not a pretty site, but looks aside, it does tip the scale at just 850 kg or 1,874 lbs thanks to its compact dimensions and the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum and fiberglass.

Power comes from a mid-mounted 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine sourced from the Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 tweaked to deliver an extra 10 horsepower for a total output of 270HP. This gives the Supasse-V a power to weight ratio of 3.1kg/hp or 6.9lbs/hp.

More details including performance figures, prices and availability are to be announced at the Tokyo Show.

Via: Leblogauto

Let me guess; some of you are wondering what the heck is "doodle design"? Well, simply put, it's the sort of unfocused and usually random sketches you've all drawn at some point in your life on schoolbooks and quite possibly in your later years, on notepads during work meetings maybe even throughout some horrifically boring speech at an automotive press event... But what has doodle-design got to do with these one-off Mazda models?

Well, as part of its sponsorship of the "O2 World Tour" event held in Hamburg, Germany, the Japanese firm raffled off a Mazda2, Mazda3 and an MX-5 / Miata Roadster, all of which featured the same drawings from doodle-design artist, Carl Heinz Daxl.

We can't but wonder how long will it take for the three owners of the cars to remove the 'doodly' finish...

Vis listcarworld

Today Mazda came out with an official release announcing that it has commenced production of the Mazda2 supermini -known as Demio in Japan- at its new plant in Thailand. But that's not what caught our interest. Along with the press release, the Japanese automaker published three photos of the Mazda2 showcasing the Ford Fiesta-sized hatchback with a new nose treatment.

More specifically, the Mazda2 shown here features a redesigned front bumper that incorporates much larger, vertical side air-inlets and a five-point lower grille that seems to be smiling at you and which has been employed on several facelifted or new Mazda models including the RX-8, the MX-5 / Miata Roadster, the Mazda 3 and the CX-7 Crossover.

Also, the upper front grille that houses the firm's logo is new and now features a beefy horizontal bar.

There is a possibility that this may be a special version offered in Thailand, but chances are that Japanese maker has subtly refreshed the "2" bringing it inline with the rest of the Mazda family.

Source Listcarworld

2010 MAZDA2 FACELIFT (?)

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2009 MAZDA2

Every once in a while we stumble upon a design project that we'd really like to see making it into production. Such is the case of the Mazda Yuuga Coupe that was penned by Swansea Metropolitan University automotive design graduate, Imran Ali, and exhibited at the 2009 Degree Show in July at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, UK. The Yuuga is a sleek looking four-seater coupe inspired by Mazda's conceptual and production-model design language but does away with the firm's 'smiley face' grille.

We don't know if Imran Ali designed the Yuuga as a front-wheel drive coupe based on the Mazda6 or as a more premium and sportier rear-wheel drive model that could enhance the Japanese automaker's RX sports car range, but either way we're intrigued by the result.

Source: Swansea University , Via: Carbodydesign

At the Frankfurt Motor Show Mazda in September, Mazda will present a special concept version of its current generation MX-5 / Miata Roadster as part of the celebrations for the car's 20th anniversary. Designed at Mazda's studio in Frankfurt, Germany, the MX-5 Superlight version is described by the company as "a show car capturing the pure essence of the world's most popular roadster." Think of it as the MX-5 most of us would want to drive but very few would actually buy.

The stripped out, lightweight roadster comes with no windshield and a sportier chassis set up while we also noticed the absence of visible door handles and the bucket sport seats in the interior. The Japanese firm did not disclose any details on the changes over the standard version nor on what lies under the hood.

So, are there any chances that we'll see the MX-5 Superlight making it into production? For now, Mazda claims that the vehicle is just a show car, but we wouldn't be surprised at all if the automaker decides to produce the Superlight in a limited run in the very near future.

Via Carscoop

The world's most successful open-top sports car with more than 860,000 sales spread over three generation models, the MX-5, also known in other markets as the Miata or simply Roadster, is celebrating its 20th birthday this year and to commemorate the event, Mazda has introduced a special edition version of the car for the Japanese market.

The Roadster 20th Anniversary is available either in RS guise with a traditional soft-top and a six-speed manual transmission or as a VS RHT with a retractable hardtop and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The special edition models come in a Crystal White Pearl Mica finish which is used for the first time on the Mazda Roadster. Special equipment includes unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats, '20th Anniversary' badges on the fenders, clear front fog lights., 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/45R17 84W tyres and a glass rear window for the soft-top model plus heated seats with five temperature settings.

A front strut tower bar and 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/45R17 84W tyres complete the changes. Prices in Japan are set at 2,860,000 yen ($29,900 or €21,100) for the soft-top version and 3,110,000 yen ($32,500 or €23,000) for the RHT model.

And for those living outside Japan, no need to worry as Mazda is planning to launch special edition versions of the MX-5 / Miata in other markets as well.

Via Carscoop

As Homer Simpson would put it, D'oh! Many magazine and auto sites were quick to report the news that Mazda may (or is going to) introduce another facelift version of their RX-8 sports car at the forthcoming Frankfurt Show. And while we're accustomed to frequent facelifts from Japanese carmakers, problem is that Mazda presented the latest refreshed RX-8 at last year's Detroit Auto Show. Turns out that all the fuss was about the German market debut ("Deutschland-premiere") of what is sold in most markets as the updated RX-8 231HP with the R3 sport package. Non believers may check out the (translated) German press release after the jump.

Translated German Press Release:

Six years after its debut, the Mazda RX-8 models now have a comprehensive revision. The amendments relate the exterior and interior design, modifications to the engine and chassis as well as new features. Germany celebrates its premiere, the new Mazda RX-8 in September 2009 at the IAA in Frankfurt. Effective immediately, the enhanced brand icon exclusively available in the Sports Equipment Line Line with 231 PS strong rotary engine at a price of 38,180 euros for all Mazda dealers ordered.

The great friends of this unique sports car may be primarily on the far-reaching improvements to the powertrain with the unique RENESIS-looking rotary engine, which otherwise only one generational change would be to find. The water-cooled engine with a maximum power of 170 KW/231 PS at 8,200 rpm was fairer to require mechanical oil pumps oil instead of a system with electromagnetically driven pump and an optimized sump. The rotary engine rotates through improved lubrication yet liberated high - up to 9000 revolutions per minute. Incidentally Peilstab wandered the motor side of the top cover to the engine block, which makes it easier to access and review of the oil levels easier.

For the first time Mazda uses an additional knock sensor for combustion control. This will knock the tendency is suppressed and effectively through an optimal adjustment of the Zündkennfeldes efficiency. The turbine-like engine power released reached on a new six-speed gearbox to the 30 percent now to torsion shaft. Originally for the third generation of the Mazda MX-5, was the gearbox in combination with the RENESIS rotary engine-reviewed and generally in all six passages translated are noticeably shorter than before. In practice, the modifications through improved acceleration and smoother passage levels and switching operations on all six forward gears felt. The acceleration from a standstill to 100 km / h completes the four-Coupé in 6.4 seconds, while the maximum speed of 234 km / h is.

The modifications to the drivetrain by Mazda has improved the chassis complements. As a perfect base of evolution of the RX-8 with a front-mid-engine rear wheel drive and serve additional body stiffening, altered handlebars and chassis settings, and optimized suspension geometry. Serially come Bilstein ® shock absorbers are used for a more consistent damping even under high load guarantee. For exceptional high stiffness at the front axle provides a new, trapezoidal strut brace. Together with other reinforcements succeeded the Mazda engineers, the torsion and bending stiffness of the RX-8-car by 5.4 percent and 8.7 percent increase.

A modified front subframe, which also has festigkeitsverbesserndem Urethanschaum filled, gives an even more natural and direct Lenkgefühl. A generally more stable handling, thanks to newly designed rear suspension geometry achieved. New forged and painted anthracite gray 19-inch lightweight metal rims with 225/40 R19 tires, Bridgestone (Potenza RE050A) set to direct steering and ensure an even more agile handling of the sports car.

The visual and functional performance benefit equally from the extensive changes to the exterior design, the modifications to the conventional RX-8-sports dress miss their effect on the viewer not. The front part is thanks to newly designed bumpers, revised headlamps and larger radiator openings even more dynamic. The Ölkühleröffnungen left and right of the equally magnified, pentagonal main air intake is almost twice as large as the previous model and reduce the peak temperature of the engine oil at full operation by an average of six degrees Celsius. The lateral overhangs on the lower bumper has been aerodynamically optimized and the aerodynamic hold at 0.30. And also the housing of the bright xenon headlight units were given a wider form and give the RX-8 now have a more technical look.

Revised front fender and re-shaped side blinker bezels suggest using the standard side skirts, sport fairings additional strength. The stern is in the rear of the new LED technology, two large exhaust tailpipes and a new spoiler modeled dominates. Even now fully integrated into the car color painted rear bumper gives the Mazda sports car a sporty appearance. As an external standard colors are the metallic colors Tornadorot, Nereusblau, Anubis Black, Silver and Pluto Arachneweiß choice.

Other important improvements was the Mazda RX-8 interior before. Although the basic layout has remained intact, but many detail changes make for a pleasant ambience and a simpler operation.

Overall, leaves the cabin, thanks to improved processing and material quality impression of an even higher value. Newly designed, the designer about the center console of the RX-8 with different controls in piano-optics. Applications from the same material were included in the three-spoke leather sports steering wheel integrated, now also carries red decorative stitching. In the driver's field of view dominate the tachometer. What is new is the red variable speed range, depending on the engine temperature after a cold start the recommended maximum rotational displays.

Particular attention could be the interior designer to the front Gestühl responsible. New Recaro sport seats with a black cloth-leather cover and red seams offer improved ergonomics, thanks to a greatly improved lateral support in the shoulder and leg area.

Mazda has the RX-8 exclusively in the sport full-line version. First is the Wankel-athletes with a Bluetooth ® interface for mobile phones, which the uncomplicated operation of a mobile phone via the audio system, without the driver away from traffic. Also standard are now a light and rain sensor as well as an AUX input for various audio players on board. Another technology highlight was the RX-8 a specially tuned to the interior BOSE ® audio system with Audio Pilot ® noise compensation and Centerpoint ® surround sound. The sound system uses an eight-channel amplifier of the newest generation and has five speakers and four woofers for premium sound at any speed.

The modified Mazda RX-8 - At a Glance

• Two wheel RENESIS rotary engine with 2 x 654 cm3 chamber volume

• Maximum power of 170 kW/231 hp at 8,200 rpm and max. Torque of 211 Nm

• Second pair of knock sensor improves combustion efficiency

• New electronically controlled Öldosierpumpe for a more efficient lubrication

• New six-speed manual gearbox with shorter translation

• 30 percent of torsion shaft for more direct transmission

• Front-mid-engine design with rear wheel drive

• Optimum 50-50 weight distribution for superior handling characteristics

• Lock with limited slip differential at the rear axle for improved traction

• Increased Karosserieverwindungs and bending stiffness

• Improved steering and suspension vote

• Bilstein ® sports suspension with special tuning and Urethanschaum before filling the other guide frame

• Aerodynamics Package with a special front spoiler, side skirts, rear spoilers and fairings - Cd value 0.30

• New front design with oversized five-point-Main air inlet

• Larger Ölkühleröffnungen reduce oil spikes

• Complete in car color painted rear bumper with new design

• Enlarged stainless steel exhaust tailpipes of zweiflutigen

• Forged, dark gray 19-inch alloy wheels in the rotary engine optics

• New LED tail lights

• Higher processing and material quality in the interior

• Modified instrument display with a variable speed range red

• A new three-spoke leather sport steering wheel with red decorative stitching

• Recaro ® Sport seats (front) with black cloth leather coverings

• ABS, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and traction control

• Bluetooth ® handsfree for mobile phones

• On the inside coordinated BOSE ® audio system with nine speakers

Via Carscoop