2002 Mazda E2000 Reviews

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.

After years of waiting, rotary engine fans might finally have something to look forward to again as Mazda's CEO confirms a team is being put together to develop the company's next-gen rotary engine.

Badge-engineered cars. It’s been happening almost as long as the industry itself. Some pull off the disguise so convincingly you’d never know their true identities, like John Travolta’s face-switcheroo with Nicolas Cage in 1997’s immensely silly/fun Face/Off. Others, meanwhile, are about as convincing as donning a Groucho Marx nose and glasses.

The Berry family gives all its long-term test cars names but if any of them really needed one it's the Mazda CX-60 D50e GT Vision which has just finished its first month living with them.

In line with ANCAP’s six-year lifespan for its new vehicle safety assessment ratings, more than 25 vehicles currently on sale in the Australian new car market were reclassified as ‘Unrated’ on January 1, 2024, many previously carrying a maximum five-star rating.

We already know what will be the biggest-selling vehicles in 2024. The usual suspects like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4. But what about the most important models for each of the biggest brands? The new additions that will either become the next best-seller or represent a new avenue for our biggest carmakers. Here they are.

What car are you most excited for in 2024? Each new year brings hotly anticipated new models and this year is no different. Some of the biggest names in the business have something to get your heart racing, either with its performance, its ability to adventure or its technology. We’ve compiled a list of the most exciting incoming new cars for 2024 from Australia’s best-selling brands.

Another year means another fleet of vehicles sent to the big scrapyard in the sky, with flagging sales, a change in company direction or, in one potential case, too much popularity, all contributing to the end of times for some of the country's most well-known nameplates – and a few of the lesser-known ones, too.

The 'light' SUV segment is one of the most hotly contested in the Australian new-car market and the Mazda CX-3 leads it in sales by a country mile. But heading into its ninth year, is this evergreen performer still ahead of the ravenous pack? We spent a week with the mid-spec Evolve model to try and find out.

The automotive industry is in a period of such rapid change that the definition of what constitutes a ‘good’ car is also quickly shifting.You could carve up the market on value, performance, styling, safety and any other number of ways to determine what is a winner and what is a loser – the possibilities are nearly endless!But this is my list of the top five cars I’ve driven this year and, as a boy racer at heart, these are the handful of vehicles that have sparked the most joy in 2023.Though the Civic Type R might not the fastest, cheapest or most raucous hot hatch available in Australia, the mighty Honda might be the perfect performance pocket rocket.And that’s because it balances all elements of a hot hatch so supremely well.There’s the practicality side of things to consider, and with my week with the Type R, it was the perfect companion to drop off and pick-up the toddler from childcare.The latest generation Civic has also elevated its fit and finish to truly semi-premium levels, and the Type R takes that further thanks to bucket seats, an Alcantara steering wheel and sunroof.Finally, the engine is just so divine, with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain punching out a sizeable 235kW/420Nm that is fed to the front wheels via a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.But what clinches it for the Civic is just how poised it is dynamically - especially shocking for a front-drive performance car.The backend feels like it rotates around in a corner, and the feedback and feel from the steering is only matched from something wearing a Porsche badge.Worth $72,600 drive-away asking price? You betcha.Timing is everything, and in my time with the Huracan STO my experience was truly special.And it’s not just because it’s a limited-edition, hardcore, mid-engine supercar designed to be more athletic than its ‘standard’ Huracan peers.The Huracan STO ended up being the first car I reviewed after the birth of my second child, and after four months of sleepless nights, nappy changes and Uber Eats, this Lambo was a hell of a reintroduction into automotive journalism.On paper, the Huracan STO pushes out 470kW/565Nm from its 5.2-litre V10 engine, but in reality, it’s so much more special than that.As a harder-edged version of the long-running Huracan, Lamborghini has dialled in its entry-level mid-engine supercar to razor-sharp precision.And with a gargantuan $596,000 before on-road costs price tag, I might have babied the Huracan STO more than my actual baby, but with its bright orange paintwork and ear-splitting exhaust, there was no escaping the allure of the Huracan STO.While I have driven nearly every other electric car available in Australia before, the Cupra Born was the first that made me seriously consider buying one.For starters, the Born looks futuristic without being ugly like some other EVs available in Australia, while it also blends performance with practicality thanks to its five-door hatchback body style.Don’t believe the marketing though, the Cupra Born is not an electric hot hatch – it’s much more of a warm one, but that’s no bad thing.With 170kW/310Nm from a single electric motor feeding the rear wheels, this tailpipe emissions-free Cupra is a hoot to drive, but certainly doesn’t come close to the thrills of something like a Honda Civic Type R or even a Hyundai i30 N.What seals the deal however, is the massive 82kWh battery pack, which enables a driving range of around 500km, meaning you could genuinely only charge the Born once a week and be fine with commuting - depending where you live.All this for under $60,000 makes the Cupra Born a very appealing package, and an EV that the many people can actually afford.Mazda has made a lot of noise about marching more upmarket, and this move was meant to be shepherded by the CX-60.However, the mid-size SUV based on the new platform with new engines ended up feeling a little underbaked… but the CX-90 large SUV addresses all of those concerns.As Mazda’s new flagship model, you’d expect it to feel premium, polished and poised on the road, and the CX-90 nails all three with panache.The interior, at least in the top-spec Azami with Takumi pack, is not only the best designed at this price point, it also makes German contenders look like drab and dreary.The 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder engines, in both petrol and diesel forms, are also fantastic, and paired to the new eight-speed automatic ensure a smooth driving experience.Sure, the ride is a little bit harsh, but the trade-off for that is taught, tight and engaging dynamics – characteristics seldom seen in any SUV, let alone a large one with three-rows of seating.The big caveat here however, is that the CX-90 is expensive – the test car I had was $100,000 – so this new Mazda might not be for everyone.What’s this? Another Honda on the list? You better believe it!The Japanese car manufacturer has been on an absolute hot steak recently with the new-generation Civic and HR-V both impressing in terms of quality and comfort, and the all-new ZR-V is no different.As a mid-size SUV (albeit a smaller one), the ZR-V has to stack up against the likes of the popular Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, and boy howdy, does it!With confident styling on the outside and a quality, well-built interior on the inside, the ZR-V impresses from the get go.However, it’s the driving dynamics that are a welcome surprise, because the ZR-V actually feels… dare I say… fun behind the wheel?There’s a level of engagement and feedback that feels just right for an everyday grocery getter, making trips into the city office less dull.And I didn’t even drive the hybrid version, which by all accounts, feels even better!Do yourself a favour if you are looking for a family SUV, don’t sleep on the Honda ZR-V.