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.

2014 Mazda6 diesel racer scores a first ever diesel victory at Indy!

After its debut being the first diesel to compete at Daytona and a first ever diesel victory in the Grand Am class at Road Atlanta, the 2014Mazda6 equipped with the Skyactiv-D engine scored another important milestone victory by becoming the first ever diesel racer to score a victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Anticipating a retail launch in the fourth quarter of 2013, Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda, a new Mazda dealership in Orlando, Florida, has begun to see the demand with a flood of inquiries every month wanting to know when exactly the diesel 6 will be available. Mazda has a real winner in the diesel powered Mazda6.

The 2014 Mazda6 Skyactiv-D was the first diesel powered race car to make the paces at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 60 years. According to Mazda, its race modified diesel Mazda6 has an engine that is 51 percent similar to the stock engine and an overall weight that is 63 percent of the stock weight which means the racing platform version of the 6 is closer to a stock version than most major car maker’s racers. With five victories under its hood, there is no doubt that Mazda has the diesel game figured out.

For more information about the 2014 Mazda6 including its technical specs and technology packages, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com.

2014 Mazda6 diesel scores it's first victory!

Last month at Road Atlanta, the 2014Mazda6 equipped with a diesel engine claimed two first-ever victories in the Rolex Grand-Am GX. Don Mealey's Sport Mazda, a new Mazda dealer in Orlando, Florida, has been flooded with inquiries from eager Mazda6 enthusiasts that are patiently awaiting the release of the SKYACTIV diesel equipped 2014 Mazda6. This recent victory at Road Atlanta earned a first-ever victory for the diesel powered Mazda6 as well as a first-ever victory for a diesel-powered car in a Grand-Am competition!

Helping Mazda achieve this victory were drivers Joel Miller and Andrew Carbonell whom took turns driving the #00 Visit Florida Racing Mazda6. This is only a beginning for the 2014 Mazda6 legacy which has helped revitalize the brand since it's release in January of this year. Anticipated for a mid to late 2013 release, the SKYACTIV diesel 2014 Mazda6 will be able to get approximately 44 miles per gallon. For more information about the Mazda6, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Interested in taking one for a test drive? Contact our Mazda Experts at Sport Mazda and we can arrange it!

RUMOR: Next up for a SkyActiv makeover, the 2015 MX-5 Miata!

Earlier this year, Mazda and Alfa Romero forged a new partnership which will be bringing a newly designed Mazda MX-5 Miata starting in 2015. At Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda, a new Mazda dealership in Orlando, Florida, our customers have shared with us the relief that the SkyActiv technologies in the 2013 Mazda3 and 2014 CX-5 and Mazda6 bring by offering great fuel economy and unparalleled safety features. Rumors have it that by the model cycle for 2015, the MX-5 Miata will be joining the other SkyActiv vehicles by coming equipped with a 1.3 liter turbocharged diesel SkyActiv engine!

Just a concept? or reality? We'll know soon enough!

It’s also rumored that the new SkyActiv diesel engine that will be added to the 2015 MX-5 Miata will be a modified 1.6 liter SkyActiv engine with an output of approximately 130 horsepower. If this is true, then it would officially make it the lowest horsepower a Miata has had since 1996. However, Mazda is looking at new design and manufacturing techniques that would drop the overall weight getting it down to about 1,760 pounds. While no official word is out by Mazda on the next generation of Miata’s, we’ll know more as time goes by. For more information about new Mazda’s and the current 2013 MX-5 Miata, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Sign up for a test drive on our website to experience the thrill of Mazda’s legacy roadster with a Mazda Expert today!

2014 Mazda6 diesel in action at the Rolex 24 hour endurance race

Burning rubber at the Daytona International Speedway for the 2013 Rolex 24 hour endurance race, three diesel engine 2014 Mazda6’s will try to grab Mazda it’s 24^th class title victory. This month marks the launch of the 2014 Mazda6 at new Mazda dealerships nationwide like Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, Florida. By bringing the diesel engine into the race, Mazda is giving the world a solid preview at the power behind the new Skyactiv-D diesel engine which will be available on the Mazda6 later this year. Three teams will compete in these 2014 Mazda6 diesel powered racecars on January 26-27, 2013 on the legendary Central Florida speedway. Expect to see the diesel powered Mazda6’s in dealerships this summer. For more information about the new 2014 Mazda6, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com, home of the Mazda Experts.


Via: AutoBlog

Mazda Announces Its Latest Crossover Utility Vehicle: The CX-3

Mazda is in the works with a brand new smaller CUV expected to hit showroom floors in 2014 to take on the likes of the Ford Fiesta-EcoSport and the Nissan Juke. Mazda dealerships like Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Central Florida, see the latest spike in demand for Mazda’s most recent crossover utility vehicle, the CX-5, and can only anticipate meeting the growing hype for this popular class of vehicle. Expected to fit somewhere between the CX-5 and Mazda2 in terms of size and structure, predictions on the actual design of the vehicle resemble a cross between the Mazda2 and the Minagi concept that the CX-5 came from with elements of the popular Kodo concept used in the new 2014 Mazda6.

The Minagi concept is the design Mazda engineers based the CX-5  on.

With a fresh design by Mazda engineers, every detail will be meticulously crafted around the Skyactiv philosophy that Mazda has been championing since its conception and what helped make the CX-5 Japan’s Car of the Year for 2012. A new diesel engine will be launched with the release of the CX-3 which is rumored to be a 1.6 liter engine capable of around 80 mpg as well as a new turbocharged 1.3 liter engine.  It is speculated that the new small CUV will be priced around $20,000 when it launched in North America.

For more information about new and pre-owned Mazda vehicles, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com where the Mazda Experts are standing by to help address your Mazda questions or concerns.

2012 Custom Car Show Gives a Glimpse of Mazda Creativity

Mazda’s showing at the 2012 SEMA Show this year brought on the eye candy with three customized concept CX-5s that brought out the best of this beautiful compact crossover. The bloggers at AutoBlog.com went to the show in Las Vegas and captured plenty of pictures and details of these special concepts. Taking a look at the future of Skyactiv, the CX-5 Dempsey concept was stocked with a 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D diesel engine, the first seen in a North American spec CX-5.

Check out their article and photo gallery of all three concepts that any Mazda aficionado will appreciate. For more information about the Mazda CX-5 and Skyactiv, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. The Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL are knowledgeable resources of information and can help anyone in person that is interested in a Mazda in the Central Florida area.