2009 Mazda 6

What's New For 2009? The 2009 Mazda 6 is all-new, with a larger interior, huge trunk and sharp styling that makes it stand out from the crowd. It also boasts the most powerful V-6 engine in its class, a classy and elegant interior design with high-quality materials, and even a manual transmission on the four-cylinder "i" model. After a generation of midsize sedans that were too small for most drivers, Mazda finally gets the size and performance equation right with the 2009 Mazda 6.

Should I Buy This Car? Yes. The Mazda 6 is a credible alternative to the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but it does have a slightly harsher ride, the only penalty to superior handling.

Why was the old Mazda 6 so small? The previous generation Mazda 6 was a good car, but built off an international platform. While the economics of doing this are simple – one car for many markets – it resulted in a competitor to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry that was significantly smaller than both. It also had a few refinement issues that turned off buyers.

What else should I consider? If you're looking at the 2009 Mazda 6, chances are you're looking for a slightly sportier ride. Check out the Nissan Altima, which has a bit more character to its driving. Another alternative is the Honda Accord. Although it's softened a bit, the Honda Accord is still rewarding to drive.

Quick Look: 2009 Mazda 6

The all-new 2009 Mazda 6 addresses all the problems associated with the car it replaces, but manages to maintain the character and fun of the older car. With a stylish new exterior, a classy and upscale interior, and features uncommon at this price level, the 2009 Mazda 6 promises to bring new buyers into Mazda showrooms, without alienating the old ones.

The 2009 Mazda 6 comes in two different models, both available in three different trim levels. The Mazda 6 i is available in Sport, Touring or Grand Touring trims for $20,920, $22,375 and $25,480, respectively, including a $670 destination charge. A stripped-down SV version is available with manual transmission only for $19,220. The 2009 Mazda 6 i is powered by a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine connected either to a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 Mazda 6 s comes with a 3.7-liter 272-hp V-6 and six-speed automatic in the same Sport ($24,800), Touring ($25,745) or Grand Touring ($28,930) trim levels as the i.

The 2009 Mazda 6 Sport models feature power accessories, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, an auxiliary audio port and stability control as standard equipment, regardless of engine choice. Move up to the Touring models and you add 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, pushbutton start, an 8-way power driver's seat and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. The Grand Touring models get -- inhale -- full leather upholstery, xenon headlights and LED rear lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, driver's seat memory, dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth hands-free telephone and audio -- exhale. Options are limited to a handful of packages, and even then only to the Touring and Grand Touring models: A Moonroof and Bose package adds a moonroof and upgraded audio system for $1,760, a Convenience package adds leather and cloth seats, blind spot detection and other up-level fittings to the Touring trim for $1,610, and a navigation system is available on Grand Touring models for $2,000.

Overall we're impressed by the 2009 Mazda 6. It offers the satisfying blend of performance, style and comfort of the older car, but in a much roomier and elegant package. Arguably, rear-seat passengers benefit the most thanks to additional leg room. If the 2009 Mazda 6 isn't on shopping lists everywhere, it should be.

Mazda MX-5 Coupe might look like this?

According to the latest issue of Best Car Magazine, Mazda will launch a Coupe version of its MX5 sometime in 2010 and this is how it might look like. If this will happen, it won’t b the first Coupe version of the MX-5 Roadster, as in 2003 Mazda produced a coupe model on the NB Roadster platform.

If the new MX-5 Coupe does make it into production, it would fill the current void of a lightweight, inexpensive rear wheel drive sports coupe.

A 200 hp sportscar is something everyone is waiting for!

Mazda RX-8 Convertible

Even if is that one of a kind vehicle only used on special occasions and that will never get into production, I really needed to admit, I wished i could see this car on the streets!

Mazda RX-8 Convertible was presented at the annual ceremony marking the first product shipment of the year at the company’s cargo dock near its headquarters in Hiroshima.

Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda’s representative director, president and CEO, together with other Mazda senior executive officers and employees lead the parade in a White Convertible RX-8!

2008 Mazda MX-5 Niseko Edition

The latest Mazda MX-5 can truly be described as an all-weather, all-year sports car with its enhanced heating and air-conditioning systems. Now, to celebrate its continuing status as ‘Britain’s favorite sports car brand’ this winter, Mazda is introducing a pair of special edition ‘Niseko’ models, named after Japan’s most prestigious skiing resort.

As the latest edition of the world’s best selling roadster, the rear-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 Niseko boasts unrivalled handling and driving dynamics, and represents extremely competitive value for money. Available from £17,995 on-the-road, the Niseko offers up to £2,000 worth of additional or exclusive extras over and above the equivalent standard models.

On sale from 1 January 2008, both the ‘entry-level’ 1.8i Niseko soft-top (126ps, five-speed) and the £19,995 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe (160ps, six speed) are available in an exclusive new bespoke colour ‘Icy Blue’ metallic, as well as Sunlight Silver metallic – for no additional charge.

“Mazda MX-5 customers have traditionally given a warm welcome to each new ‘special edition’ model introduced during our roadster’s 18 year history,” commented Mark Cameron, Mazda UK marketing director. “Now, for the first time with the Niseko, we are offering a ‘special’ model in both soft-top and roadster coupe forms and with co-ordinated brown leather seats and interior trim. Personally, I think the new ‘Icy Blue’ colour is going to appeal particularly to women buyers, although since launch the third generation Mazda MX-5 has achieved a 50/50, male/female sales mix as predicted.

“Traditionally, MX-5 buyers spend more on accessories and do more to individualise their cars, than other Mazda owners. Although the majority of those buyers use their MX-5s all-year-round, the peak ordering period is from February through to May, so the introduction of Niseko in January will boost sales at the back end of winter and give us a head-start for a spring sales boom,” added Cameron.

Special exterior features of the Mazda MX-5 Niseko include: unique design 17-inch alloy wheels, unique body-colour finish for the style bar trim, front fog lamps, Chrome Pack (door handles and headlamp bezels, and surrounds for the side repeaters, front grille and fog lamps) and special edition ‘Niseko’ badging on each front wing, plus a unique dark brown premium cloth for the fabric roof (soft-top only).

Inside, both Niseko models feature unique dark brown heated leather seats with co-ordinated door trim and icy blue stitching, plus dark brown leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake. They are also equipped with a dark-silver dash panel, stainless-steel scuff plates and Niseko-branded luxury interior mats, with a suspension strut tower bracing bar beneath the bonnet.

As well as adding the special Niseko features, the generous standard equipment of the donor vehicles ensures that buyers can enjoy: driver’s seat height adjustment, electric windows, central locking, MP3-compatible radio/single CD player with six-speaker audio system, climate control air conditioning, stainless-steel scuff plates, twin chrome exhaust tail pipes and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

Niseko owners will also enjoy a degree of exclusivity as production of this latest Mazda MX-5 model will be restricted. Just 240 examples of the Mazda MX-5 1.8i Niseko soft-top and 560 units of the MX-5 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe will be made available in the UK.

Despite all of the additional specification, both Mazda MX-5 Niseko special editions remain in the same insurance groups as their standard counterparts – 11E (1.8i) and 13E (2.0i).

Mazda at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon

At the future Tokyo Auto Salon that will take place from 11 to 13 January 2008, Mazda will present not less than 16 customized models.

As far as we could understand from the Japanese press release there will be a Mazda Roadster, a Mazda MX-5 Roadster created in colaboration with MazdaSpeed and a few others made in collaboration with DAMD.

Here’s a list with few of the models Mazda will present in Tokyo:

• Mazda MX-5 Roadster by MazdaSpeed
• Mazda MS Concept
• Mazda RX-8 by MazdaSpeed
• Mazda CX-7 "cool style" concept
• Mazda RX-8 TYPE RS
• DAMD Concept
• Mazda MPV KENSTYLE concept
• Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 concept

More details in January! Stay tuned!

2009 Mazda3 will inspire the entire future mazda line-up

Mazda will launch a face-lifted Mazda3 sedan sometime next year. With a stronger "front face," a more unified design language and more eye-catching proportions, the 2009 Mazda3 will be the first step of the future Mazda design.

"Within the next three years, you will start to see my cars on the road," Laurens van den Acker, Mazda’s design chief said in an interview here at Mazda Motor Corp. headquarters. "One of the advantages of being a small company is that we can afford to be a little more provocative."

The provocative new look will emphasize:

• A more distinctive five-point, shield-shaped grille for all models.
• Flowing styling in details such as side panels.
• Silhouettes sporting longer wheelbases and shorter forward overhangs.

"We need to stay consistent with the message," he said. "Mazda is good at getting new customers to our brand but not so good at retaining them."

For the future Laurens van den Acker has in mind: a 5-point, shield-shaped grille, flowing styling (Taiki concept style), longer wheelbases, shorter overhangs.

Playboy Joins Mazda MX-5 Cup Program

Using the largest motorsports trade show in the world as the venue, the world’s most popular sports car has joined forces with one of the world’s most popular brands, as Playboy becomes the title sponsor for the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. The MX-5 Cup saw thirty-percent growth in 2007 and is projected to become the number one spec professional series in the world. The series is also an integral part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder that promotes champions of Mazda series to the next level of their career.

“This is a great way for us to grow the series and reach an audience of enthusiasts who may not have had the chance to see an MX-5 Cup race in person”, noted Jim Jordan, Alternative Marketing Manager, Mazda North American Operations.

“We are excited to be working with Mazda on this program and can’t wait for the season to begin,” said Playboy Vice President and Publisher Lou Mohn. “We look forward to putting all of Playboy’s brand assets into high gear to leverage this initiative and reach racing enthusiasts and Playboy fans alike.”

SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Robert Wildberger remarked “We’re excited to have such an established brand associated with what is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new series.”

The most raced car in the world is the Mazda MX-5 Miata. On any given weekend, half of the cars competing in SCCA Club Racing events are Mazda-brand vehicles, while thousands more autocross their daily driver Mazdas.

The MX-5 can be raced in a variety of configurations within many different clubs, with classes for every vintage of Mazda from showroom stock to all-out racer. For those looking to try their hand in professional racing, the MX-5 Cup is the ideal place. The cars are affordable, the racing is close, the venues are fantastic, and the races are televised.

The MX-5 Cup champion also receives a Mazda-supported ride in the following year’s SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship. This prize is valued at $250,000. 2007 MX-5 Cup Champion Jason Saini will be racing in the 2008 SPEED World Challenge in a MAZDA6.

2008 Schedule

The 2008 SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup schedule is a great balance of North American locations. The season begins with the Houston Grand Prix and concludes six months later at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

• April 25-27, 2008 Houston Grand Prix, Houston, Texas (with ALMS, Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda)
• May 2-4, 2008 Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia (with HSR Mitty)
• May 17-19, 2008 Mosport (with Canadian Touring Cars)
• June 20-22, 2008 Cleveland Grand Prix, Cleveland, Ohio (with Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda)
• July 25-27, 2008 Portland Grand Prix (with Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda)
• Sept. 19-21, 2008 Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah (with Grand Am, Champ Car Atlantic)
• Oct. 17-19, 2008 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California (with ALMS, Star Mazda, IMSA Lites)

Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition on sale in UK

To celebrate a unique anniversary – it is 40 years since Mazda launched its first rotary powered car, the Mazda Cosmo Sport back in 1967 – Mazda is releasing a strictly limited number of its latest rotary model, the Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition. Just 400 examples of this very special four-seat coupé model will be available in the UK, priced at £24,595 (on-the-road), each identified by its own unique number.

Based on a special concept car first presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition adds components to the chassis and body shell, and special exterior and interior features, which create a unique sports car and one that is a fine tribute to Mazda’s rotary engine history. Mazda is Britain’s favourite sports car brand, supplying one in every five sports cars sold in the UK, so this latest model is sure to be in high demand.

The unique exterior features of the Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition include a choice of two exclusive exterior colours – a newly-developed Metropolitan Grey Mica that gives a strong touch of sophistication; and a truly distinctive Crystal White Pearlescent that will make this a ‘stand-out’ car on Britain’s roads.

Enhancing the Limited Edition’s look of sporty sophistication are bespoke 10-spoke, 18 inch diameter alloy wheels, an aerodynamic rear wing, new blue-light front fog lamps and a 40th Anniversary badge on each front wing.

The drivetrain features the twin-rotor High Power 231ps RENESIS engine mated to a short shifting six-speed manual transmission. The Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition accelerates from standing to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 146mph.