2016 MX-5 Miata is the roadster the world has been waiting for

Mazda is on a hot streak.

Over the past few years, Mazda has been thriving in its Renaissance of SKYACTIV technology and modern elegance with the overhauls on the award winning Mazda3, Mazda6 and next year’s Mazda2.

On September 3, 2014, Mazda unveiled the latest model to join the ranks of SKYACTIV built vehicles, the iconic MX-5 Miata roadster.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Miata has gone through three generations of overhauls since its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. The next two decades and a half saw 940,000 of these hot convertibles produced and making it the most popular roadster ever created.

It only makes sense that a vehicle with such an iconic importance for Mazda would deserve the SKYACTIV treatment with an exterior overhaul inspired by the KODO – Soul of Motion design language developed by Mazda and used in the CX-5, Mazda3, and Mazda6.

What do we know about the new 2016 MX-5 Miata?

Not too much, but the details that have surfaced is surely set to get the hype train rolling for next year’s launch.

We do know that the fourth generation Miata will take on similar technology offerings found in the 2014 Mazda3 including the 5.8” touchscreen and commander switch.

Some of the improvements in the newest Miata over the third generation is the fully redesigned interior and a significant weight reduction by approximately 220 lbs according to Mazda.

The front of the 2016 Miata resembles high performance sports cars like the Dodge Viper, while from the side, it looks like a BMW coupe. The tires will come in 16 and 17 inch rims and are held on by 4 bolts.

Mazda will be adding sport mode to the automatic transmission version of the newest Miata while the manual transmission will be in sport mode, all the time.

A newly designed SKYACTIV-G engine that hasn’t been fully detailed by Mazda will be powering this roadster around curved roads across the world when it launches next year.

We’ll know more about the North American specifications of the 2016 MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2015.

RUMOR: Return of the Mazdaspeed3 in 2016?

Since the launch of the 2014 Mazda3 in September 2013, Mazda enthusiasts have raised their voices demanding a new Mazdaspeed3. Unfortunately, the launch of the redesigned 3 signaled the end of Mazda’s popular hot hatch.

The latest batch of rumors come straight from the Japanese motor magazine Holiday Auto which claims to have an inside scoop on Mazda’s plans for the relaunch of the Mazdaspeed3.

Recent rumors indicated that Mazda was aiming to outfit the Mazda3 with a turbo diesel engine which would be released as the new Mazdaspeed3. Word on the street, or at least Holiday Auto, now indicates Mazda has ditched the plan for a turbo diesel in favor of a turbocharged variant of the 2.5-liter gasoline engine currently found in the s Touring and s Grand Touring trims in the US for the 2014 Mazda3.

Mazda corporate in Japan has denied rumors about turbo, especially concerns that the high compression ratio of the SKYACTIV-G engine paired with a turbo would create problems. However, the source makes it clear that the problem “has been already solved.”

The source also told Holiday Auto that we can expect to see All-Wheel-Drive on the new Mazdaspeed3 which would be the first compact Mazda to receive the AWD treatment.

If the rumors are true, we can expect the return of the Mazdaspeed3 in 2016.

For more information about the current 2014 Mazda3, please visit our convenient research guides created by the Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, Florida.

Via: CarsGuide.com.au

The 25th anniversary edition Miata is (almost) here!

This year marks Mazda’s silver anniversary with the MX-5 Miata, the most iconic roadster ever created. Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989, the Miata quickly found its way into the hearts of auto enthusiasts around the world.

25 years after its debut, Mazda is still wowing crowds at auto exhibitions with the Miata. Recently at the 2014 New York Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the 25th anniversary edition 2014 MX-5 Miata and reactions have been unanimous. It’s beautiful.

The exterior illuminates class with its Soul Red Metallic body with Brilliant Black accents on the Power Retractable Hard Top roof, side mirrors, and A-pillars. Almond leather upholstery with red stitching makes for a comfortably classy ride inside the Miata. Not only does the car come with custom 25th Anniversary badges, but buyers will also receive a special edition Swiss-made, stainless steel Tourneau watch with a display winder box.

It is a fantastic must own for the most die-hard Miata enthusiasts and roadster aficionados but there is one small problem. Mazda only made 100 of these limited edition Miatas available for North America. Worse, you can’t pre-order it… for another week.

Next week on Tuesday, May 20 at 1:25 pm EST, Mazda will officially open up the 25th anniversary edition Miata for pre-order exclusively through their special anniversary website. Pre-orders will close after the first 250 deposits are submitted. These pre-orders will be processed to determine the first 100 qualified buyers.

For more information about the 2014 MX-5 Miata, check out our 2014 Miata research page created by the Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando. Click here to go to the Miata pre-order site.

2014 Mazda3 named a finalist for the World Car of the Year

You would think what it takes to be considered a world class car is a price tag that would intimidate the fattest of wallets. That’s not the case this time as this year’s finalists for the World Car of the Year was announced last week at the Geneva Motor Show.

It’s not surprise that pricey powerful cars like the Audi A3 and BMW 4 series would secure a nomination, but finding its way on this prestigious list is the 2014 Mazda3.

Auto journalists from around the world has praised the design and engineering that was poured into Mazda’s mold of automotive excellence that has come to embody the latest generation of the Mazda3.

The selection committee for the World Car of the Year awards also acknowledged the beauty of the Mazda3 by naming it a finalist for the World Car Design of the Year, along with the BMW i3 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

It’s not every day that you see a $20,000 compact competing as a finalist against luxury cars that cost three times as much for a world title.

We won’t know if the Mazda3 is the World Car of the Year until next month when the winners will be announced at the 2014 New York International Auto Show.

For more information about the 2014 Mazda3, visit the home of the Mazda Experts at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Automobile Magazine ranks the 2014 Mazda3 as king of the compacts

“Compact” is not another way of saying “cheap.” At least that is how things are nowadays seeing how every major manufacturer is throwing their hat into the compact ring.

Automobile Magazine recently pitted the top 8 selling compacts in the market against one another to see what stood out as the best over the course of a week.

Day-by-day contenders dropped from the race until the 2014 Mazda3 and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta remained standing.

Automobile Magazine declared the 2014 Mazda3 the champion due to its “Goldilocks” like feel. Not too sporty. Not too small. It’s just right.

Reviewers praised the Mazda3’s ability to channel BMW’s personality by being a luxuriously designed with a smooth sporty feel that makes a $20,000 compact feel like a $200,000 car.

On top of the BMW feel, reviewers noted the diminishing line in tech options that have clearly favored mid-sized sedans in the past are now becoming more common in compacts with the 2014 Mazda3 being the strongest example.

The impressive safety features including blind-spot monitoring, forward obstruction warning, and lane departure warning, to name a few, gives the 2014 Mazda3 more safety options than its competitors.

For more information about the 2014 Mazda3 including tech specs, pictures and videos, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Home of the Mazda Experts.

Via: Automobile Magazine

Mazda’s Hazumi concept gives Geneva a glimpse at the new Mazda2

It’s time to move on. Ford’s 31 year partnership with Mazda ended in 2010 but there are still remnants of that past still ingrained in some of their models, especially the Mazda2.

Enter the Hazumi concept. The newest design concept by Mazda was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this week and introduced as the new look of the second generation of Mazda2 subcompacts.

Images and details from the Geneva Motor Show has indicated that the 2015 Mazda2 will be similar in tech loadout like the 2014 Mazda3. Present on the concept model at the show was an active driving (heads up) display, new infotainment system, commander switch, and a backseat commander switch with miniature screen. The new 2015 Mazda2 will be equipped with Mazda’s newest car connectivity system called Mazda Connect 2. There is enough tech to make any driver that craves comfort and convenience envious.

Along with the introduction of the Hazumi concept was the announcement of a 1.5 liter small-displacement clean diesel engine named the SKYACTIV-D 1.5.

Currently there is no launch date for the Mazda2 but the launch window is anticipated for a Fall 2014 release.

For more information about the 2014 Mazda2 and other Mazda vehicles, visit the home of the Mazda Experts at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Mazda celebrates their 4-millionth Mazda3

Since June 2003, Mazda has built 4-million Mazda3s to date. To put that in perspective, there have been more Mazda3s built than there are people living in Oregon, the 27^th largest US state, by about roughly 70,000.

It’s been an impressive ten years and seven months of milestones since production first began on the first generation of Mazda3s. The first Mazda3 rolled off the assembly line in June 2003 at the manufacturing plant in Hofu, Japan. A fun fact about the Mazda3 is that in Japan it is not called the 3 but actually named the Mazda Axela.

In 2009, the second generation of Mazda3 debuted with an architecture formed from a collaboration with Ford and Volvo. By 2011, Mazda first debuted the SKYACTIV platform of technologies in the 2012 Mazda3. With fuel economy reaching 40 mpg while still maintaining a fun-to-drive sporty feel behind the wheel helped the Mazda3 grow in popularity over the next few years.

Last September, the 2014 Mazda3 released ushering in the third generation of Mazda’s best-selling compact.

Production is in full swing across the world in Japan, China, Thailand, and at Mazda’s brand new state-of-the-art plant in Mexico. At the rate the 3 is being built today, in the next 10 years Mazda might be celebrating the 10-millionth Mazda3.

For more information about Mazda3 specs and details, visit the Mazda Experts at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Mazda’s next concept set to debut at Geneva Motor Show

The Takeri concept set Mazda ahead of its competition by injecting a bold assertive style reimagining the look of the Mazda3 and Mazda6, as well as bringing life to the CX-5.

On March 4^th at the 84^th Geneva Motor Show, Mazda will unveil the Takeri’s little brother, Hazumi, which means “bound” or “spring up” in Japanese.

The Hazumi concept is slated to be the next design language of the agile subcompact Mazda2 which has remained unchanged since its launch North American launch in 2010.

Another announcement that Mazda has planned is the unveiling of the small-displacement SKYACTIV-D clean diesel 1.5 liter engine which is anticipated to power the next Mazda2.

We’ll know more about the future of Mazda diesel and the Mazda2 next month in Geneva.

For more information about Mazda vehicles or parts, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Consumer Reports strongly recommends the 2014 Mazda3

The verdict is in. Consumer Reports has added the 2014 Mazda3 to their recommendation list of must buy vehicles.

Consumer Reports used a midtrim sedan and a higher-end hatchback 2.0 liter engine models to conduct their road tests.

The 2013 Mazda3 was a recommended model last year due to its fuel economy, smooth transmission, and safety. Consumer Reports sings the same song with the 2014 Mazda3 stating that the fuel economy, which averaged 33 mpg during the test, is the best they have ever seen on a compact that was not a hybrid or diesel.

Road testers found the manual transmission to be one of the slickest shifters in the car industry making it an agile daily driver that comes alive on a track.

For more information about the 2014 Mazda3 specs and videos, visit us at SportMazdaOrlando.com which is home to the Mazda Experts.

Via: Consumer Reports

Kelley Blue Book gives Mazda the 5-Year Cost to Own Award

It’s easy to forget about maintenance and fuel costs when you are infatuated with a vehicle. New car shoppers usually think about affordability in terms of monthly payment, APR rate, and total cost paid at the end of the financing or leasing period without thinking of the long term costs over the years.

Kelley Blue Book has announced their annual recipients of their 5 Year Cost to Own Award which recognizes the top brands that retain the greatest value over the first five years of ownership.

The 2014 model lineup by Mazda earned them the 2014 5-Year Cost to Own Award as the best overall non-luxury brand for a second year in a row. This repeat success can be attributed to the rising quality of Mazda vehicles especially the reinvention of the Mazda3 which launched in September this past year in North America.

With depreciation, estimated fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, and maintenance and repair costs taken into consideration, the Mazda brand is at the top of the list.

Mazda ranked the lowest in fuel and insurance costs out of all the brands taken into consideration during the judging.

For more information about Mazda vehicles and the benefits of ownership, please visit us at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Mazda’s SKYACTIV diesel covered 2,826 miles in the Rolex 24

With two prototype SKYACTIV racers, Mazda has demonstrated that their diesel engine has come a long way since its debut at last year’s Rolex 24.

On Saturday, January 25^th, Mazda unleashed a duo of clean diesel powered prototype racers that saw years of research culminate into an impressive demonstration of endurance and engineering at Daytona International Speedway at the 52^nd Rolex 24.

Just like last year, Mazda was unable to complete the race but unlike last year, the engine was not a factor in an early retirement.

The number 07 car last the duration of the race up until the final hour when an oil-pump belt failure caused a loss of oil pressure and a forced retirement. The number 70 car also faced an accessory related failure when the radiator became clogged causing the car to overheat and forcing it to retire after completing just over 1,300 miles of continuous high speed racing. Combined, both cars lasted a total of 2,826 miles!

John Doonan, Director of Mazda Motorsports, said that within the short amount of time the SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel prototype “we are very satisfied with the progress our team has achieved. That said, this is a multi-year development program and we won’t be happy until we start winning.”

The SKYACTIV-D is performing stronger than it has in previous endurance races and is a sign that Mazda is close to perfecting their diesel engine.

For more information about Mazda vehicles including technical specifications, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com.

2014 Mazda SKYACTIV racing prototype brings diesel back to Daytona

The SKYACTIV-D diesel engine returns to Daytona in the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship at the 2014 Rolex 24. Last year, a trio of turbo diesel equipped 2014 Mazda6’s failed to finish the 24 hour endurance race due to mechanical issues that have since been fixed and even earned Mazda the first diesel victory for the Grand Am class at Road Atlanta in July.

Next weekend, Mazda will be taking a pair of its latest racer dubbed the 2014 SKYACTIV Prototype through the paces around Daytona International Speedway.

The diesel engine used in the new prototype is identical to the specifications of the diesel engine found in the race modified Mazda6’s. The engine contains 51 percent of the original stock parts and weighs 37 percent lighter than the retail version.

At 451 brake horsepower with 581 pound-feet of torque, Mazda is squeezing every last bit of raw power that the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine is capable of outputting.

The Rolex 24 will run from January 25 to 26 with almost every automaker under the sun participating.

For more information about the benefits of SKYACTIV technology, please visit us at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Via: AutoBlog.com

SKYACTIV diesel engine delayed for North America

With several successful public demonstrations in the form of race victories using the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, Mazda has officially announced that its foray into the world of diesel power will have to wait a little longer before hitting showroom floors.

The Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda Orlando have been anticipating the launch of the SKYACTIV-D since Mazda’s intentions of introducing it in the as-of-then newly launched 2014 Mazda6.

Mazda has stopped hinting at possible release windows by taking the “when it’s ready, it’s ready” approach to focus more on finding a balance of fuel economy and driving performance which is a central theme in the SKYACTIV technology philosophy.

The reason for the delay is due to Mazda’s willingness to unleash every last bit of potential in the SKYACTIV-D, citing that they understand it “can meet emission regulation requirements.” Emission regulations vary in different regions of the world with Europe having strict regulations that call for strong improvements every five years.

The past year was a milestone for the Japanese automaker who saw the launch of two newly redesigned models built around SKYACTIV technology. If they release their diesel engine in 2014, it will be another memorable year of milestones Mazda.

For more information about SKYACTIV technology or the vehicles that use it, visit us on our website at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

IIHS certifies three Mazda vehicles as Top Safety Pick Plus

The most fuel efficient automaker in North America is also one of the safest! The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has certified the 2014 Mazda3, 2014 Mazda6, and 2014 CX-5 as Top Safety Pick Plus vehicles which distinguishes the safest autos on the road from the rest of the pack.

The safety found in Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology platform has helped revolutionize a brand famous for rotary engines into one that radiates safety, style, and performance. The three vehicles are the first Mazdas to be completely designed and built around SKYACTIV technology platform that has brought new life to the Mazda brand since the days when Ford was the majority stock holder.

In 2013, the only Mazda designated with the Top Safety Pick Plus status was the 2014 Mazda6 while the 2013 CX-5 only managed to earn a Top Safety Pick. Improvements were made to the CX-5 to tackle the newly introduced overlap test which prevented the Plus certification the previous year.

This is also the first year the Mazda3 has earned the Top Safety Pick Plus award which is just another trophy on the shelf of the Car of the Year for auto news sites like AutoGuide.com.

For more information about Mazda vehicles, visit our research center located at SportMazdaOrlando.com.

Via: IIHS