Articles by Laura Berry

The Mazda6 was once the most popular Mazda in Australia, but SUVs have taken away buyers to the point that Mazda look likely to axe the model

Mazda has a sporty sub-brand again with the Japanese carmaker showing off track-ready concept versions of its Mazda3 and MX-5 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, while announcing the creation of its factory-backed Spirit Racing team.The announcement comes as a welcome surprise given Mazda made it clear back in 2020 that it didn’t intend to revive its in-house Mazdaspeed high-performance division or MPS as it was known in Australia.The press conference at Tokyo Auto Salon saw Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro and chief designer Ikuo Maeda reveal the concepts and the intentions of the Mazda Spirit Racing division.“ As part of our branding we have created a sub brand called Mazda Spirit Racing and this time for the first time in 25 years since Mazdaspeed we have established a factory motorsports division,” Mr Moro said.Mazda has continued to participate in Motorsport over the past four years but Mazda Spirit Racing will provide a fully supported manufacturer-backed effort to enter cars in the Super Taikyu racing series in Japan.More than just a race team, Mazda Spirit Racing has an entire merchandising wing selling everything from watches to jackets and umbrellas, and then of course there’s the sporty production cars which were shown in concept form.It's unclear if it will be a full fledged sports sub-brand like Toyota's Gazoo Racing, or what Mitsubishi promises will be Ralliart again in the future.The Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept adds a savage aero kit complete with enormous front splitter and roof top-mounted wing to the small hatch. The upgrades are more than just for looks though.“Compared to the previous model, the new model aims to provide more control on the circuit and a high-quality ride in everyday life,” Mazda press statement reads. “We have refined the suspension and aerodynamics that we have cultivated through our Super Taikyu racing activities, as well as the interior and exterior appearance to match these developments.”Joining the high-performance Mazda3 was also the Mazda Spirit Racing RS Concept - a low slung and even more aggressive looking MX-5.As for what will power the high-performance version for the MX-5, we’re expecting a tuned version of the 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine used in the current roadster.The sporty Mazda3 will most likely use the turbocharged 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol unit found in some US-market grades.The 2013 Mazda3 MPS was the last car out of Mazda’s performance division for Australia and produced a whopping 190kW and 390Nm  - a big output even by today’s standards.

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Giant American pick-ups like the Dodge Ram and Chevrolet Siverado are proving so popular right now in Australia, but the next big thing could be little utes with Suzuki’s Aussie boss contemplating a Jimny-based ute or even the return of the Mighty Boy.Speaking with Suzuki Australia’s General Manager Michael Pachota at the launch of the new Jimny XL, CarsGuide asked if the new little off roader could be turned into a ute, given the longer wheelbase.“The thought did cross my mind,” Pachota laughs. “Let’s cut the back off an XL and make it an X-Ute. Could be cool.“I’d love to say it’s a consideration for Suzuki Global but I’m just not that close to that side of things,” he says.Asked if there’d be enough buyers for a small Jimny ute in Australia to convince Suzuki’s head office to build it, Pachota said that he could see it being popular not just locally, but world-wide.“I think from a global perspective there’s enough demand to say that it's a good export model and/or local introduction.”It wouldn’t be the first time Suzuki had made a Jimny-based ute. A long-wheel based Suzuki Sierra ute called the Stockman was sold in Australia during the 1980s and ’90s.The Stockman had a wheelbase of 2375mm, while the Jimny XL's is 2590mm.The 1980s also saw a two-door micro ute called the Suzuki Mighty Boy cause a stir on Australian streets.  “I would love to reintroduce the Mighty Boy,” Pachota says. “Can you imagine a new spec of the Mighty Boy?"The Suzuki Mighty Boy measured just 3195mm end to end making it eligible for Japan’s smallest kei car vehicle category.Its tray measured 1100mm long, 600mm wide and 300 deep, and despite the obvious impracticalities the Mighty Boy was seen as a fun and cheeky island in the conservative automotive ocean of the 1980s. “It’s a similar story to the Jimny as well in terms of its popularity back in the day and really unique characteristics,” Pachota says. “If there’s one available I’ve definitely got my hand up for it, without a doubt.”If they are ever to become a production reality, the Jimny ute and new Mighty Boy could see the Australian automotive landscape return to a retro 1980s trend, with Subaru also thought to be thinking about bringing back its small Brumby ute which was sold in Australia from 1978 to 1994.A new-gen Brumby could be possible now that Subaru and Toyota are sharing technology. Toyota’s sub-HiLux Stout pickup could form the basis of a 21st century Subaru Brumby.If the enormous sales of Ford’s Maverick baby Ranger ute and the Hyundai Santa Cruz in the United States are anything to go by the same success could be seen in Australia.“Are we considering it from a global perspective? I don’t think so. We’re a small car specialist,” Pachota says. “We definitely see ourselves continuing that kind of type of brand philosophy in terms of being small car specialists.”So for now despite the jokes we probably won't see a Jimny ute or Mighty Boy, and Aussies will continue to buy big utes. But if the market does change Pachota says Suzuki will, too.“As different markets progress, there will be a difference in terms of the demand for size of cars, so we would adapt to the market.”