The four-cylinder powerplant features a record high compression ratio of 14.0:1 and puts out 84-horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 112 Nm (82.6 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is coupled to a standard Continuously Variable Transmission and according to the Japanese norms, it’s fuel economy is rated at 30km/lt (equal to 3.33 lt/100 km or 70.6 mpg US).
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The Japanese automaker said the move was dictated by the success of the Mazda2 in the Thailand region and the fact it could not guarantee supply to the Australian market.
Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver told reporters that the company does not except the loss of the four-door model to harm local sales as the five-door model was the most popular in the range.
An updated version of the Mazda2 hatchback with refreshed trim and all-new colours is due arrive in Australian showrooms this month. It will continue to be offered with 76kW 1.5 litre petrol engine, available with both manual or automatic transmissions.
Source: Yahoo [Hat tip to Matt]
Details about the upcoming zero-emissions model are limited right now, with the official press release only stating that the car's driving range is expected to be around 200 km (124 miles) and that it will be leased mainly to local government bodies and fleet customers.
Mazda’s foray into the EV segment focuses on developing electric cars suitable for customers with short city commutes. Through the aforementioned lease program, the Japanese maker hopes to gain valuable information about usage requirements and electric drive technologies.
The acquired experience will also be used to improve the base technologies of the brand, as announced in the Building Block Strategy. Certain systems sourced from EVs such as regenerative braking tech, will make their way into conventional models, which will also benefit from the firm's SKYACTIV technologies, announced at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
For now, the company’s core values are going to be centered around the internal combustion engine, but in the long run, customers can expect to find an increasing number of eco-friendly technologies fitted to Mazda models.
By Csaba Daradics
*Note: Standard Mazda2 / Demio featured in photos
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The Mazda2s seen here are designed with two different goals in mind: looking slick on the street, or tearing it up at the track.
The Mazda2 Street keeps it simple by getting lowered on a set of 15x9s and adding some lower-body graphics, while the Mazda2 Evil Track gets the same rims, more aggressive vinyl, and enough safety/racing gear to meet NASA and SCCA standards. The "Evil Track" also wears a Mazda Design body kit and rides on H&R coilovers.
Next are two Mazda3s, a Turbo 4-door and the "Redline Time Attack". The Redline model is said to put down over 500 horsepower through 18-inch Volk wheels thanks to a fully built 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The sedan, however, keeps the output more modest. Instead, the turbo'd four-door gets a power bump to "well over 250 horsepower", a sporty black-out treatment, front brakes from a Mazdaspeed3 (rears from a Mazda5), and 19-inch RX-8 R3 wheels. The sedan also sits on a KW coilover setup and gets a new rear sway bar.
The Grand-Am GT RX-8, as you can see, is a race car. Built by SpeedSource and Riley Technologies, it has a tube frame skeleton, a 3-rotor 20B Mazda racing engine, and has been doing well in the Grand-Am GT series by taking six of twelve races.
Last are the two MX-5s. The MX-5 Cup, targeted at racers, has been put on a diet and gotten a little juiced; it now weighs under 2,600 lbs and its engine puts out 195 horses. For more on the Cup, scroll on down for the specs.
The other MX-5 is an anniversary model called the Super20 in celebration of the car's 20th American anniversary. The hardtop Super20 gets its fenders expanded around the 16-inch Enkeis, a stripped-down interior with roll-bar and suede (those two go hand-in-hand), and a supercharged Cosworth mill. Other mods include an improved brake system (lines, rotors, pads, ducts) and performance-oriented suspension tuning (hollow sway bars, shock tower brace, Mazdaspeed coilovers).
Mazda North America design director says, "The versatility of Mazda vehicles is extraordinary. With just minor modifications to a stock Mazda, it can be ready for the track or a car show. Our SEMA cars demonstrate this ability; taking a vehicle from the dealership and making it a truly unique piece."
Clearly Mazda knows how to do the small sporty thing; now, if they can be as successful moving upscale as they have been with cheap, fun racing, there are more than a few companies out there that should be concerned.
By Phil Alex
MX-5 Cup Car
Engine Modifications: A MAZDASPEED cold air intake system is required.
Chassis Modifications: The only modification is the addition of the 3-piece front strut tower brace that comes with the sport package.
Transmission/Final Drive Modifications: The stock six-speed gearbox is used by all cars.
Suspension/Steering Modifications: The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development MX-5 Cup kit is comprised of double adjustable shocks, specified springs and threaded-perch coil-overs. All cars also run identical anti-roll bars and end links.
Brake System Modifications: Brakes must maintain stock brake rotor specifications.
Wheels: All cars run their choice of the stock alloy 17x7" wheels available on MX-5 Miatas.
Tires: The series spec tire is the BFGoodrich g-Force R1, size: 225/45/17.
Body Modifications: None
Safety Modifications: All MX-5 Cup cars run with full safety equipment, including an eight-point rollcage that must be welded into the car. Other safety equipment includes a racing seat, head/neck restraint, an electrical shut-off switch and an incorporated fire-extinguishing system.
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Just like its North American counterpart, the European market spec Mazda2 benefits from a new nose job with a reprofiled bumper and Mazda's smiley face grille, along with some minor interior upgrades.
Other improvements include a tweaked chassis for better ride comfort and the introduction of a new automatic transmission variant, while all engines in the Mazda2 lineup now comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard.
Mazda will also premiere a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine for the Mazda5 MPV and Mazda3 models. The new diesel produces 115HP and is matched to a six-speed manual transmission, returning a combined fuel economy of 5.2lt/100km (45.2mpg US) on the Mazda5 and 4.4lt/100km (53.5 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 117g/km on the Mazda3.
These include the introduction of new colors for both the fabric and leather seats, a revised instrument panel that includes a fuel consumption gauge and an "eco-lamp" to support economical driving, restyled hub caps and improved standard equipment on some model grades. The refined Verisa goes on sale in Japan from today.
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Main features of the freshened Verisa
Design (interior and exterior)
- The Verisa C features new Coral Brown fabric seats, which are brown in the middle and beige on the sides
- The Verisa L has new Cool Black leather seats with a black and sand-colored two-tone design.
- To match the new seats, the Verisa L has a black and sand-colored leather-wrapped steering wheel.
- Both grades have a newly designed instrument panel with blackout meters.
- Newly designed hub caps for both the 14-inch and 15-inch wheels.
Equipment (functionality)
- Automatic headlights and front rain sensing wipers (which automatically switch on according to ambient conditions), and water-repellant coating (on the front door windows and door mirrors) are standard equipment on the Verisa L grade.
- A fuel consumption gauge (showing average fuel consumption) and an eco-lamp have been added to the instrument panel on all model grades.
Starting with the Mazda2, the Takuya model comes with a 86HP 1.3-liter petrol engine and features 16-inch alloy wheels, a sports styling kit with spoiler, sports bumpers and side skirts, and front fog lights. The five-door hatch's interior is upgraded with black sports trim, trip computer, leather steering wheel and gear knob, steering wheel remote audio controls and a Parrot Bluetooth hands-free kit. Prices start from £11,915 (OTR).
Priced from £15,780, the Mazda3 Takuya gets a 105HP 1.6L petrol engine and boasts a leather steering wheel and shift knob, automatic dual-zone climate control air conditioning, black sports interior trim, sports seats, an integrated Bluetooth system, LED lights, a six-disc CD changer and rain-sensing wipers.
Those interested in the Mazda6 Takuya have the option to choose from three different version - 2.0-litre five-door (£19,845), 2.2D 163ps five-door (£20,945) and 2.2D 163ps Estate (£21,595).
All three models benefit from the fitment of 18-inch alloy wheels, a sports grille and dusk-sensing headlights on the exterior, while the interior is upgraded with an alloy pedal set, half-leather heated seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control air conditioning, and leather steering wheel and shift knob.
As with the North American version of the car, the styling tweaks on the revamped Aussie-spec Mazda2 are mostly concentrated up front and concern the new front bumper that incorporates the firm's smiley-shaped lower grille, darker head light clusters and the revised upper grille.
Both body styles of the new Mazda2 will continue to be powered by a 76kW / 102HP 1.5-liter petrol engine hooked up to either manual or automatic transmissions.
According to Mazda's Aussie division, the new sedan version which boasts 450 liters of boot capacity will come equipped with several standard features including 15 inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, as well as front, side and curtain SRS airbags, and ABD with EBD.
This is the first time that Mazda showed off the North American Mazda2's interior after the small hatchback's debut at last year's LA Show.
On this side of the Atlantic, the Ford Fiesta's platform-partner will go on sale this summer with the five-door body style and a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, with more details expected to be announced closer to its launch.
