The latest incarnation of the Mazda MX-5 was showcased in the recently-concluded Paris Motor Show. However, Mazda won’t be stopping MX-5 developments. The next generation MX-5 will be put on a diet and is slated to be lighter in aims of improving fuel efficiency and performance.

Mazda is planning to trim the car’s weight down by 10% which would result in a sub-one-ton roadster. The MX-5 will still be a front-engined rear-wheel drive steel body and chassis.

As part of the weight reduction Mazda is also looking into smaller displacement engines. So from the current choices of 1.8L and 2.0L engines, we might be looking at future choices of 1.8L and 1.6L and even a turbocharged 1.4L. These engines might even get diesel and hybrid variants.

Bring out the diet shakes and treadmills, ’cause Mazda is going on a slimming regimen. Mazda revealed their weight-saving strategy that will cut up to as much as 440 lbs (200kg) for each of the new model to come out. Thanks mostly to the improvements they’ve tried out with the Mazda2.

Instead of swapping out panels with carbon-fiber which would drive the costs up, they will be modifying the structure underneath so as not to compromise safety. They’ll also be optimizing impact force distribution. In addition, they’ve also developed lightweight material to replace heavier plastic components.

Mazda will be doing a lot to improve its fleet’s fuel efficiency by next year. Well, I’d say it’s damn well time after sticking to their rotary guns which have horrendous fuel efficiency. Still, it’s interesting how they’re achieving it by not pursuing alternative fuels or even hybrid technology. They’re doing so by slapping on technology to improve what’s already there. They’d also be introducing the smart start-stop technology to reduce engine running times to further save gas.

Source: Autocar

I guess everyone’s willing to refine their diesel technologies with the gas crisis and all. Mazda has announced that it has developed a greatly-improved diesel engine that would help appease green revolutionists.

Dubbed as the MZR-CD 2.2 clean diesel engine, the engine is a bulked-up upgrade to the current MZR-CD 2.0 diesel. The new engine generates 182 hp and as much as 295 lb-ft of torque. Incorporating their latest in clean burn technologies, the engine can easily pass Euro 5 emission standards. In addition, by slapping on a duel balance shaft and a more rigid engine block, Mazda achieved a significant reduction in engine vibration often associated to diesel engines.

Mazda wouldn’t wait long to use this technology. We can expect their fleet to start using the engine by next year to be initially offered to the European market but expect that they make it available worldwide.

So could this mean that we’ll get an upgraded Mazda 6? Most probably.

Source: Mazda

It is a frustrating experience to get stuck in a standstill. Whether it’s road maintenance or some freak collision that plugs the traffic flow, spending a lot of time idling will take its toll on your fuel consumption. To address that, many pricier cars (like BMW) today boats of a start-stop system which turns the engine on and off just in case you get stuck in long periods of time idling.

Now it’s Mada’s turn to incorporate the technology to its fleet. Dubbing the technology Smart Idle Stop System (SISS). Mazda claims that the system improves fuel economy by 10% particularly in urban use where motorists will be encountering frequent stops at traffic lights and congested traffic flows.

The system works by automatically shutting down engine when the car is at full stop. The driver need not crank the accelerator again as just on press on the gas pedal would do the trick to restart the engine. The SISS uses direct-injection to start the car back up smoothly in just 0.35 seconds.

Source: Mazda

Another round of recalls and lo and behold, it’s not GM who’s calling back vehicles. Quite a relief actually, since every time GM sounds the recall horn I sort of laugh and cringe at the same time. Anyway, it’s Mazda’s turn this time around.

7,200 California-emission spec Mazda 6 cars from 2007-2008 are being recalled due to a problem with the fuel tank. The fault (damaged PVC protective coating of the fuel tank) can cause fuel leakage. And yes, leaking fuel can mean a lot of things including the possibility of your car ending up being a smoldering fireball.

As part of the recall measure, dealerships will be inspecting the bottom surface of the fuel tank for any damages to the coating. If they find any damage, they’ll be either repairing the coating or replace the fuel tank. For verification, Mazda6 owners may contact 1-800-222-5500, Option 2.

Source: NHTSA

Just barely two weeks ago, the leaked renderings of the facelifted Mazda MX-5 hit the net. It was mostly a tease since it only showcased the outline and only half of the image with decent enough shadings for a bit of detail. Well, good news to those looking for a more definitive image as the first official photo has been released.

With this image we get more detail on how this latest incarnation sports a more angled contour than the previous model. The fascia does indeed have a front splitter. And the “dumb smile” look made by the headlight and grille that was pretty apparent in the rendering is now toned down given the actual look of the car.

Not much other details is made available regarding the car but again, as the Paris show looms, we expect to get the rest of the details regarding the car.

You got to ask how far Mazda is willing to draw out their Nagare design philosophy. Just when you thought that they’ve exhausted the possible variations for their fleet, they come up with the Mazda Kiyora - the Nagare-fied subcompact city car, perhaps a possible replacement for the Mazda2. And most probably it will be since the Kiyora will be built upon the 2’s platform.

While still in concept stage, Mazda is hinting that the production version will most likely be a 2+2. The Kiyora will also most likely to sport the latest in Mazda’s direct injected turbo gas engines that boast improved fuel efficiency.

To improve overall performance, Mazda engineers are trying to make this car as lightweight as possible, exploring new lightening techniques. They’re targeting a weight of 900 kg. The Kiyora concept will be showcased next month in the Paris Motor Show.

Source: Autocar

Mazda just unveiled another one at the Moscow Motor Show - the Mazda Kazamai. Come to think of it, it has been hella frustrating. Mazda teasing us with their zoom-zoom philosophy and that Nagare design language that has been lent to all of their concepts so far.

Well, if you’re asking when will Mazda ever take their rad looking concepts to production, then good news, this will also serve as a preview of the CX-5. And yes, even with that look, the Kazamai is a crossover vehicle.

This will be part of the lighter and more fuel-efficient lineup that Mazda will be launching in three years. With US legislation bearing down on automakers to improve overall fleet efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Mazda intends 30% and 23% respectively.

And yes, the Kazamai-based CX-5 will be the first models in this project. The car will just be slightly larger than the current Mazda3, which means it will be 100 kgs lighter than rival CUVs. The car will also be powered by direct-injection petrol engines mated to lightweight transmissions

Source: Autocar

Okay so there just might be hell to pay. Or is this just another ploy to create some buzz on the new revision on the Mazda MX-5. But hey, this is the Intarwebs, people. Gossip doesn’t always kill, you know.

However, the fact that this image is reportedly from a patent application submitted to the European Union, some dude/s might just have to say goodbye to their jobs. Still, at least the rest of us car-loving people get to see what Mazda’s planning to make in two year’s time.

While it is quite literally a half-baked image of the MX-5 it shows us that, compared to the current Miata model, the new car has a more angled contour and the fascia now sports a front splitter. The combination of the headlights and the grille somehow makes the car look like it has a dumb smile on it. Or perhaps its just the rendering that makes it look that way.

Source: Autocar

Now this newsbit really struck me as both funny and odd at the same time since I’ve always associate the rotary engine as the ultimate gas-guzzler. Mazda created a lot of road racer classics with their RWD, rotary-powered sports cars like the RX-7 and the RX-8. The Wankel engine never really caught on with the rest of the world but Mazda made such great use of it. One major drawback - fuel consumption.

But with the RX-8 replacement in the pipeline just in time for the green revolution to switch to overdrive, they decided to take a look at developing technologies for their rotary to get more miles to the gallon. Their solution is to create an engine that would work on hydrogen-gasoline. Sounds familiar? Yup, pretty much the same technology BMW’s doing with their Hydrogen 7 project.

Whether the RX-8 replacement will still carry the badge is still under deliberations in Mazda. Could be a new version, could be the RX-9. However, what’s available is that it will still be a RWD rotary, and will have design influenced by the Taiki (in the tradition of their zoomzoom philosophy).

The new dual-fuel powerhouse is expected to improve mileage by 20%.

Source: Auto Express