Thursday, August 16, 2007

All-new Mazda6 to Debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show

Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of the all-new Mazda6 (known as the all-new Mazda Atenza in Japan) at the 62nd annual Frankfurt Motor Show to be held from Tuesday, September 11 through Sunday, September 23, 2007.

The Frankfurt Motor Show press days are September 11 and 12, and the public days are September 15-23. Mazda will hold its press conference on Tuesday, September 11, at 13:45 (local time).

All-new Mazda6 (European specification)

The all-new Mazda6 arrives as a full redesign of Mazda’s first model to embody the Zoom-Zoom product philosophy, offering a thrilling drive to all those who still remember the love of motion first experienced as a child. Following the all-new Mazda2, the new Mazda6 is the second Mazda new generation product to evolve to the next stage, further deepening the emotional connection between man and machine - Mazda calls it “Kizuna”.

Inheriting Mazda’s tradition of responsive handling and performance that has become recognized around the world and evolving the original model’s distinctive design and exceptional functionality, the all-new Mazda6 takes a step forward in quality and offers strengthened environmental and safety performance. The result is an exciting and delightful experience that only the all-new Mazda6 can deliver.

source: www.Mazda.com

Monday, April 30, 2007

Bob Penkhus :: Mazda3 Making a good thing even better!

2007 MAZDA3: MAKING A GOOD THING EVEN BETTER Take a test drive at Bob Penkhus Mazda

-- Enhanced Design, Quality, Comfort and Performance highlight updated model --

NEW YORK – Mazda North American Operations today unveiled an updated and revised version of the MAZDA3 4-Door i and s sedan and 5-Door s at the 2006 Greater New York International Auto Show. MAZDA3 is the company’s best-selling vehicle in North America, and has been a hit with customers and media alike.

When MAZDA3 launched in Spring 2003, it forced customers to rethink what was possible in a C-segment vehicle, as it offered exhilarating driving performance, emotional styling and high levels of craftsmanship unseen before in this price and size class. The revised model takes these attributes to a new level, offering improved torque characteristics for both engines, exterior styling enhancements and fit-and-finish and interior trim revisions.

TWO BODY STYLES, TWO PERSONALITIES

Common features for both the 4-Door s sedan (fitted with the 2.3-liter engine) and 5-Door s (on which the 2.3-liter engine is standard) include a body-color front grille and a redesigned front bumper with square fog lamps. The 4-Door s sedan now employs LEDs for the rear combination lamps. In addition, 16- and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels have been redesigned to both accentuate the aluminum alloy look and convey an image of stability.

Both the 4-Door s sedan and 5-Door s have a more athletic look: the 4-Door promotes a feeling of stability, while the 5-Door is the sportiest model in the MAZDA3 lineup and exudes a youthful personality.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Particular attention was paid to revising interior quality on all models. The 2.0-liter 4-Door i sedan features t wo interior colors: beige and black. Both interior color packages receive newly designed white gauges and a zebra-striped wood-finish dash trim. The 2.3-liter s models with black interior and blackout-type gauges include a decorative insert finished with a hairline treatment in the dash. L eather seating surfaces are available as an option for all s models, and new for 2007 on select exterior colors is a gray cloth interior.

MATURED POWERTRAIN LINE UP

The engine lineup for the MAZDA3 continues to be the MZR 2.0-liter for i models and MZR 2.3-liter on s models, both P-ZEV compliant in California-emission states, Tier 2 Bin 5 in Federal states. All horsepower ratings are now compliant with new SAE measuring standards, with t he 2.0-liter engine producing 148 hp (144 hp in P-ZEV trim) at 6,500 rpm* and maximum torque of 135 lb-ft (132lb-ft in PZEV trim) at 4,500 rpm*. The 2.3-liter engine now produces 156 hp (151hp in P-ZEV trim) of maximum power at 6,500 rpm* and maximum torque of 150 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm (149 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm in P-ZEV trim)*.

Both 2.0- and 2.3-liter engines continue to employ a high-accuracy electronic throttle control, along with sequential valve timing (S‑VT). Optimal adjustment of the engine's intake valve operation in response to running conditions achieves high charging efficiency. Together with a variable induction system ( VIS), this allows the engine to achieve powerful torque throughout the whole rev range.

A f ive‑speed manual transmission remains standard on all models . Also carrying-over is the availability of Sport AT automatic transmissions for the both the 2.0-liter (four-speed) and 2.3-liter (five-speed) and both have functions that allow the driver to sequentially shift gears up or down.

FURTHER EVOLUTION OF MAZDA3 ’S ACCLAIMED BODY AND CHASSIS

MAZDA3 ’s body shell has been upgraded by bolstering local rigidity . Front suspension mountings are joined to the fender frame by brackets, and the number 1 tunnel member connecting the transmission tunnel on the body’s underside now extends to the left and right frame side members. These arrangements result in an even stiffer, safer body and even sportier handling and ride control.

The MacPherson strut front suspension has improved damper performance and has been tuned to improve steering response and reduce understeer. The multi‑link rear suspension receives the same performance revisions, ensuring improved rear‑end stability during high‑speed cornering. In addition , the revised bumpers mean superior aerodynamics contribute to better fuel economy , improved high‑speed acceleration and better overall stability.

NEW INTERIOR FEATURES

Both 4-Door sedan and 5-Door have newly added rear armrests with integrated cup holders for rear seat occupants. For the 4-Door sedan, rear cargo space side and end trim have been modified to allow large loads to be loaded with ease. A trunk lid recess on top of the bumper has been added to make it easier to open the trunk lid.

Audio systems have been upgraded with an auxiliary audio input and 12-volt power outlets are now standard for all models, providing the driver or passenger the option of bringing their own portable audio player to enjoy their favorite music in the car.

HIGH LEVELS OF SAFETY

Unchanged – but still class-leading – four‑wheel disc brakes with ventilated discs in the front and solid discs in the rear form the basis for a comprehensive active safety system . Four-wheel ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution ( EBD ) with brake assist are standard on s models and are optional on i models . Dynamic stability control (DSC) and traction-control are newly available for s models .

Passive safety systems feature a rigid body shell that provides exceptional collision safety. For occupant protection, front dual airbags are standard, and seat-mounted side and roof-mounted curtain airbags are available as well. In addition, impact‑absorbing trim on the steering column minimizes injury to the driver’s knees and a collapsible brake pedal helps reduce the risk of lower leg injury in the event of a frontal collision .

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Monday, April 16, 2007

The History of Mazda Speed



What is MAZDASPEED?

MAZDASPEED factory-engineered vehicles, performance parts and accessories, and motorsports programs are the ultimate expression of our Always the Soul of a Sport Car spirit. MAZDASPEED is the destination for driving enthusiasts who desire to experience Mazda at the highest, most exhilarating level.

MAZDASPEED's own grass-roots racing heritage is as authentic as it gets. It traces its origin to an independent racing team in 1967 under the name "Mazda Sports Corner" at Mazda Auto Tokyo, Japan's largest Mazda dealer. Impressed by performance potential of the Cosmo 110S, the sleek two-seat sports car marked the debut of the first-ever production rotary engine, the team ambitiously set out to establish a Mazda presence at major motorsports events worldwide. At the same time, Mazda was interested in proving the viability of its rotary engine to the world. The two goals came together with the racing team's 1968 international debut, fielding two Cosmos at the Nordshleife, Nuerburgring for the "Marathon de la Route," an incredibly grueling 84-hour endurance event. The surprise came when the little Cosmo took fourth place, a great achievement for a new racing team and a new car with completely new engine technology.

Over the next 15 years, the team of hardcore Mazda racers campaigned across the U.S., Japan and Europe in both endurance and conventional sports car events. After Mazda replaced the Cosmo with the more practical R100, Europeans watched in awe as two of the boxy hatchbacks dogged four Porsche 911s for 24 hours at the Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, claiming class wins and fifth and sixth place overall.

As Mazda launched new models, Mazda Sports Corner raced them. After the Cosmos and R100s came racing RX-2s and RX-3s. Everything then jumped up a notch or two when Mazda introduced the first RX-7 in 1978. Here was a car that would succeed in a variety of classes and, most noticeably in the U.S., would achieve an unprecedented 100 wins over the next 12 years in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Series.

In 1983, Mazda Motor Corporation brought the racing team from Tokyo to the company's corporate headquarters in Hiroshima to help drive Mazda's factory racing ambitions, and it was here that the MAZDASPEED name was born.

Now under the Mazda umbrella, MAZDASPEED continued to receive recognition for its amazing on-track performance and its many victories around the globe. Sights were turned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Privateers had raced Mazdas through the seventies, but MAZDASPEED had decided that it was time to join the fray. The eighties saw some class wins, and then in 1991, the MAZDASPEED team succeeded in doing what no other Japanese auto maker before or since has been able to accomplish: capturing the overall win at the world's most prestigious endurance race.

Fearing a long-standing technical single-brand dominance, FIA outlawed rotary engines after the 1991 Le Mans race. Unable to race Mazda's trademark rotary engine in the world's most prestigious venue, MAZDASPEED began focusing more on the business side of motorsports and started developing and building aftermarket parts and accessories, while continuing grassroots motorsports initiatives.

By this time, it was clear that a disproportionate number of Mazdas were appearing and winning in small owner-driver sports car events all over the world, and that this was where Mazda truly belonged and should focus its competitive efforts.

In 1999, Mazda Motor Corporation took full control of MAZDASPEED and has used its talents to supply racing parts and serve as an umbrella for all of Mazda's motorsports activities. The natural extension of this was to serve the Mazda street enthusiast as well, which MAZDASPEED has done with an expansion of its parts catalog and now with the development of MAZDASPEED-factory-engineered models sold in Mazda showrooms.

With the introduction of models such as the MAZDA6, MAZDA3 and RX-8, it is more clear than ever that Mazda truly does infuse its products with the "soul of a sports car." MAZDASPEED is the highest expression of that soul.

source: www.MazdaUSA.com For your Colorado MazdaSpeed needs visit your Denver Mazda Dealer