Monday, January 21st, 2008
Now on sale in the UK, the upgraded Mazda5 range for 2008 offers customers a nine-strong model line-up with a choice of four powertrains and four equipment levels. Petrol and diesel engined models are priced from £14,760 (on-the-road), with a new automatic transmission variant available from March 2008 to complete the range.
The upgraded Mazda5 continues the original model’s success with a refreshed design, new power sliding doors (as part of an option package) and a new automatic transmission option. The new car has a more luxurious interior finish, more comfort and convenience, new suspension settings for optimised handling and enhanced refinement, improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. A more individualised Sports Styling Pack is fitted as standard on Sport and Sport Nav models.
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Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
Mazda Motor Corporation has confirmed that it will stage the world premieres of the new Mazda Furai concept vehicle and the heavily revised version of the Mazda RX-8 sports car in Detroit on press day (Sunday 13 January, 2008), at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
Following its show-stopping debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October, the Mazda Taiki concept vehicle also will make its North American debut, the first time it has been shown outside Japan. Additionally, Mazda will have a special display of racecars on its stand during the press days, and the full line-up of production cars for consumers to view for the public days.
All attending media are invited to Mazda’s press conference and the formal unveiling on the Mazda show stand at 13.45 hrs, Monday 14 January 2008.
Mazda Furai –‘Sound of the wind’
Inspired by the fact that, on any given weekend, there are more Mazdas and Mazda‑powered racing cars in action on circuits across the United States than any other brand, Mazda has created the Mazda Furai. It is the sort of car that could only come from a company that incorporates the ‘Soul of a Sports Car’ into everything it builds, but with an eye toward the future and the environment through the use of synthetic fuel (cellulosic ethanol E100) produced by British Petroleum (BP).
Furai takes Mazda’s unique Nagare (Japanese for ‘flow’) design language a step further as it is translated into a concept car based on an American Le Mans Series (ALMS) sports racing car. The car utilizes the Courage C65 chassis the company campaigned in the ALMS series only two seasons ago, and the 450-hp three-rotor rotary engine that distinguishes it from anything else on the track.
“Furai purposely blurs boundaries that have traditionally distinguished street cars from racing cars,” says Franz von Holzhausen, Mazda’s North American director of design. “Historically, there has been a gap between single-purpose racecars and the sportiest of street-legal production models — commonly called supercars — that emulate the real racers on the road. Furai bridges that gap like no car has ever done before.
“Mazda’s critically acclaimed Nagare design language describes the flow of water, air, people or things moving in one direction. Mazda Nagare is flow, with an insightful and spirited styling, which, in Mazda Furai, invokes a raw, unfettered desire to possess everything this car represents,” enthuses Holzhausen.
New Mazda RX-8
Sporting a freshened design, improved handling, stronger acceleration, enhanced quality and extra features, the heavily revised new version of the Mazda RX-8 continues to be a ‘Sports Car like no other’ and shows that the rotary engine is still an important part of Mazda’s future.
Since its launch in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 has been hailed as a genuine sports car, but with a totally new, four-door, four-seat format that delivers true sports car values and driving pleasure, together with unique passenger comfort.
Powered by the world’s only mass-produced rotary engine, RX-8 is the spiritual successor to the 1967 Cosmo 110S, the world’s first twin-rotor production car. With almost two‑million rotary engines sold, and the company’s legendary win at the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours – the only Japanese brand to ever win the endurance racing classic – the rotary engine is the sole preserve of Mazda.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2007
Demand for Mazda’s popular multi-activity vehicle, the Mazda5, with its unique dual sliding rear doors, is sure to rise next year with the introduction of a significantly improved model that will be even more family friendly.
The new Mazda5 2008 upgrade is set to continue the original model’s success with a refreshed design, new power sliding doors and new automatic transmission options, a more luxurious interior finish, more comfort and convenience, new suspension settings for optimised handling, improved fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions – and a more individualised Sports Appearance Pack.
Mazda5 is the only C-segment vehicle with two sliding rear doors, each with an impressive door opening width of 700mm, and that convenience will be further enhanced by the introduction of optional new power sliding rear doors that open and close in less than five seconds and stop automatically if obstructed. They are operated by a button from the driver’s seat, by the door handles or by the remote control key.
Not only is the upgraded Mazda5 more convenient to use, it will also be more fun to drive. The MZR 2.0-litre petrol models will feature an engine that has been completely revised and now has an electric throttle and sequential valve timing (S-VT), which makes maximum torque available at a lower engine speed (4000rpm) than before for quicker engine response in every gear. Two newly-introduced transmissions will enhance the lively and agile character of this engine: a six-speed manual transmission will be fitted as standard and a five-speed automatic will be an option – a first for the Mazda5 line-up.
The refreshed appearance of the Mazda5 2008 upgrade includes new front and rear bumpers, new front and rear light clusters, new front grille, new-style 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels, and a choice of seven new exterior colours. The new model retains its excellent aerodynamic efficiency with a Cd of 0.29.
Inside, the upgraded Mazda5 retains its predecessor’s uniquely communicative interior – with Karakuri seating for up to seven people and maximum storage flexibility – and adds new navigation and audio systems for even more fun and convenience. It has a new DVD navigation system with a 7-inch multifunctional touch screen now integrated into the centre panel, which makes it easier to read and use. This system allows drivers to use the Mazda5’s rear-view camera for stress-free parking.
Also new is an auxiliary (AUX) jack and recessed niche at the front of the floor console – for holding, hooking-up and listening to an MP3 player using Mazda5’s audio system – and a new in-dash, 6-CD changer for hours of non-stop music. For those who need to stay in touch while driving, a new Bluetooth mobile phone system with steering wheel-mounted controls is now available.
To ensure that Mazda5 buyers can enjoy these new features to the full, the upgraded model’s interior is now quieter and more comfortable. The new car features several noise-reducing additions, including: a new multi-resonator located around the fresh air intake duct at the base of the windscreen, which lowers the transmission of engine noise, plus strengthened wheel rims and Thinsulate® insulation sheeting within the roof liner to reduce road noise. Together, these updates make holding conversations and listening to music, easier and much more enjoyable.
New dampers, front and rear, and increased rear toe-in geometry, result in a more refined suspension providing enhanced ride comfort and maximum stability when cornering at high speeds and when fully laden. A newly optimised brake booster is introduced to give drivers a quicker and more precise feedback and guarantee excellent and easily modulated brake response.
Every model in the Mazda5 2008 upgrade line-up will deliver improved fuel consumption and CO2 levels which are lowered by between 8 and 11g/km – depending on model – moving the 1.8 petrol and all diesel models down one Road Fund Licence band, producing annual savings of up to £40.
The upgraded Mazda5 will make its European debut at the Bologna Motor Show, in Italy, on 5 December 2007 and will go on sale in UK Mazda dealer showrooms during January 2008.
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