Mazda MX-5 2014 News

Flares have never gone out of fashion in Japan and the annual Tokyo Auto Salon shows why.

Mazda's top-down two-door marks 25 years and 16,000 local sales. As anniversary presents go, this is one of better options ... but the buyer may just want to let the partner share it.The 25th anniversary limited-edition of Mazda's modern-day classic MX-5 sports car has arrived in Australia but the brand isn't expecting it to gather dust in showrooms.Just 40 of the 1000 built for sale worldwide are coming to Australia, asking an extra $1100 over the normal retail price but staying below $50,000 before on-roads.Unveiled at the New York motor show earlier this year, the roadster sold out within hours of release in the US and Japan. Australian MX-5 buyers have been a little more conservative.Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver says 13 of the allocated 40 cars have been reserved for customers and he expects the rest to sell quickly.The arrival of an all-new MX-5 - it's officially being revealed in September - isn't expected to put potential customers off buying the anniversary edition, he says.'This is a limited-edition car, unique styling, lightweight components, Bilstein shock absorbers, Soul Red paint - a few of those things put together makes it unique so, for collectors and enthusiasts, we think there will be demand for it," he says.The red paint is a first for the MX-5. Anniversary models are badged and numbered and also will be distinguished by black paint on the windscreen pillars, door mirrors and retractable roof.Off-white leather seat trim, red-stitched black leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and manual gearshifter are among the limited-edition features. There is also a 'his-and-hers" commemorative watch set.The Mazda two-door - inspired by the 1960s Lotus Elan and launched in 1989 - reinvigorated the affordable sports car market and has sold more than 940,000 examples globally and 16,000 in Australia, gaining a Guinness World Record as the most popular two-seater open-top sports car.Current MX-5 program manager Nobuhiro Yamamoto and his predecessor Takao Kijima echoed tributes paid to the enthusiastic fan base from first-generation MX-5 program manager Toshihiko Hirai.Hirai says that before the initial series MX-5, lightweight sports cars were nearly extinct. "Although the project was officially approved, both human resources and budget were extremely limited. However, the developers, who believed that true car lovers would love the MX-5, made every effort to get it on the market and managed to accomplish this feat."

Mazda has laid bare its next generation MX-5 sports-car, taking the unusual step of unveiling just the barest of essentials -- the engine and chassis -- at this week’s New York motor show.The unprecedented move was driven by the Japanese brand’s desire to show the world that the next-generation MX-5 is still purely Mazda DNA, even though there will also be an Alfa Romeo version of the same car, made in the same factory.The deal between the unlikely pair was brokered almost two years ago: Mazda needed economies of scale to help develop the new MX-5, and Alfa Romeo was in need of a fun, affordable sports-car.The Mazda MX-5 and the Alfa Romeo will look completely different, say company insiders, and may not even share the same engines.The Mazda MX-5 is due to bow first, and is expected to be unveiled later this year ahead of its arrival in showrooms in the second half of 2015.Mazda says the new MX-5 is going back to basics: it’s expected to be smaller and lighter than the car it replaces.Mazda famously measures the weight of every component that goes into an MX-5 -- once even developing a thinner radio antenna -- in its bid to trim weight.Carsguide understands the company has set an ambitious target of 1000kg for the mass of the new model. Given today’s crash safety standards and the weight of new technology, it will be no mean feat if Mazda can reach this goal.The original Mazda MX-5 weighed just 940kg, the second-generation model weighed 1065kg, while the current version is the heaviest yet, at 1167kg, due in part to its folding metal roof.Mazda unveiled a “super light” 1000kg version of the current MX-5 as a concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, for the 20th anniversary of the vehicle, likely as a tease for the new model now under development.Mazda has only released three generations of the MX-5 over the past 25 years; the current edition has been around since 2005 and is due to be replaced in its 10th year of production.Spy photos of the fourth-generation 2015 Mazda MX-5 during testing show the next model is smaller than the current car in its overall dimensions, but the footprint has grown (longer wheelbase, wider track), and a soft-top roof returns.On the new model Mazda is also expected to introduce its unique fuel-saving “Skyactiv” technology, the name given to a special type of engine tuning that runs a high compression ratio which delivers fuel economy savings. Meanwhile, Mazda also unveiled this week the final edition that will see out the current MX-5.Just 1000 versions of the 25th anniversary Mazda MX-5 will be made globally, with 40 destined for Australia. Due on sale later this year, they will have Bilstein sports suspension, while the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with gain specially modified pistons, conrods and a flywheel. Visually, the limited production model will gain unique 25thanniversary badging (including a build number), white leather trim (with “25thanniversary” embossed in the headrests), and charcoal-finish alloy wheels.Only one body colour is available -- metallic red -- and one body style: the folding metal roof. To reflect the sales mix of the current model, about 30 per cent of the 25thanniversary models will come with automatic transmission, the balance will be manual.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

Driving a convertible in Siberia in sub-zero temperatures -- with the top down -- may not be everyone's idea of fun. But that's where Mazda decided to host a test drive to remind us that the MX-5 is still the world's most popular roadster, with almost 1 million sold.An all-new Mazda MX-5 -- to be jointly developed with Alfa Romeo -- is still at least two years away, so in the meantime Mazda is keen for the world to know the current model is still young at heart even though it is getting on a bit in car terms. Which is why we are standing on an ice lake near Yekaterinburg, about 400km north of the Kazakhstan border.Mazda invited two dozen motoring writers from nine countries to defend their nation's honour by having a hack at an ice lake instead of a keyboard. This is the fifth such event in as many years and the stakes are high -- in the minds of those behind the wheel.Day one and the boys are in a huddle discussing strategy in military detail. Who's going to do what, and what the others are likely to do at every point in the race. It would have been a little easier to take seriously if we weren't still in Mascot. The plane hasn't even pushed back yet. Competitive? Much?Day two and we've ducked into Moscow between flights (the domestic and international terminals are at opposite sides of the city) standing in a big red square with lots of walls, statues and a building called the Kremlin.Surrounded by this almost magical yet historical place, the emotion is overwhelming: word has come through that those Cheating Rusky Bastards have practiced driving on snow. "What, you mean apart from their entire driving lives," I offer. The group goes silent, the guide says something about the old buildings with the shiny bulbs on top.But we're still in a huddle as if it's half time in a State of Origin that NSW has a chance to win. History can wait. We were about to make our own, apparently, it was only a matter of choosing the theme tune: "Eye of the Tiger" or "Simply the Best"?Day three we finally get to inspect the pitch. WTF? They've included Mazda3 hatchbacks in the event for the first time, as well as the MX-5s.The thought of driving a car that people actually buy (the Mazda3 was Australia's top-selling car for two of the past three years and finished second last year) in order to qualify for the MX-5 race horrifies some of the group.One of our team starts sledging one of the Poms and says something about cricket. I don't watch cricket but the last significant Australia-versus-England sporting moment I can remember involved a football, a man called Jonny Wilkinson, and his left foot.After the first practice session it became apparent that the three Russian teams have professional race drivers masquerading as motoring writers (as opposed to us motoring writers masquerading as race drivers).At this point, to confirm everyone's bonafides, I quietly suggest that the organisers force all competitors to write a road test, to see who can torture the most cliches like they're running out of fashion.Alas, my heart sank when I saw our Russian rivals doing work on their laptop computers between practice sessions. They were hacks just like us, dammit.After qualifying third out of nine cars our only hope for a victory was to do a Bradbury: drive at eight-tenths and hope they stick it into a snow bank.After some daring first lap driving from the first of our four drivers, and an ability to make the MX-5 much wider than it really is for several laps thereafter, we had somehow found ourselves in the lead.After a friendly nudge from one of the gun Russian drivers we slipped to second, but managed to regain first place after a slick pit-stop. Soon after, we learned to be careful what you wish for, because a Mazda did indeed end up in a snow bank. But it was ours.Truth be known, it was a miracle it didn't happen to all of us on every single corner. The ice was so slippery we could barely stand on it without breaking a hip, two wrists and a collar bone. After our car was plucked from the snow by a tractor we made another pit-stop and got going again.It was then my turn to add to our team's misery. The safety car came out in front of me even though we were not in the lead (in fact, we were in the opposite of the lead).So although it is protocol for safety cars to drive slowly in front of the lead car and let the rest of the field pass, we got to trundle around behind a Mazda CX-5 with flashing lights to avoid a collision we never got to see -- and lost so much time we may as well have been in a different zone.So I was delighted when it was time to hand the car over to a colleague for the final fling. The only thing that could possibly brighten our day is if we could beat the other Australian car being shared by two journos and two Mazda executives.After some daring driving from our man on a mission and some gentlemanly driving from the Mazda suit behind the wheel of the other MX-5, we ended up in front of the Other Aussie Team despite our significant setbacks.By the end of the two-hour race, the Russians deservedly scored a one-two-three clean-sweep, something the organisers may have suspected for they pre-ordered trophies for fourth, fifth and sixth positions under the guise of a "Nation's Cup".Although we ranked fifth -- or second, depending on how you measure it -- finishing in the middle the field never felt so good. If only the sweet taste of our 'victory' didn't taste like yellow snow. Russian champagne really is an acquired taste. Especially when it's in your eyes.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

They bring glitz and glamour to the Clipsal 500 - but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to these grid girls. JESSICA (23) Usual occupation: Marketing co-ordinator at Stamford Hotels. How long have you been a grid girl? Three years.Why did you decide to be a grid girl? Having the chance to be involved with such an iconic Adelaide event as the Clipsal 500 is an amazing opportunity and every year I can't wait for February to come around.Best thing about being a grid girl? Working with such beautiful and amazing girls and meeting lots of interesting people.Worst thing? It only comes around once a year.Tell me about your usual day job: Busy!How different is your day job to being a grid girl? I work in a corporate environment, so it's nice to get all glammed up for the Clipsal 500 weekend.How do you think grid girls are perceived? For the most part, quite well. Clipsal always choose the girls who can best represent their company as well as themselves, and it shows through the amazing girls we have on the team. There will always be those few negative people no matter what you do.Do some people have the wrong perception of grid girls? Everyone in the team has and is achieving great things in their life. There is definitely more than meets the eye.V8 team of choice? It has to be Holden.What type of car do you drive? Hyundai Excel. KARA (25) Usual occupation: Miner/trades assistant/student.How long have you been a grid girl? Two years.Why did you decide to be a grid girl? When I was in high school I saw them and thought what a glamorous and amazing job that would be.Best thing about being a grid girl? The atmosphere and excitement of the Clipsal 500 is an amazing experience.What's the worst aspect? That Clipsal 500 only lasts four days and the week flies by too fast.Day job? I work at a mine site 600km from Adelaide, doing shutdowns as a gas tester and standby person. The site has both below ground and above ground plants. My job involves testing atmospheres where people will be working to make sure it is safe for them to do their job and to implement any precautions if necessary. When I am not in the mines I work as a trades assistant in Adelaide for a company that installs, repairs and maintains bore pumps. I am also studying my diploma in Occupational Health and Safety to gain a more permanent position in the mining industry.How different is your day job to being a grid girl? Extremely! I go from no hair and make-up, being hot and sweaty, dirty and wearing baggy overalls and a hard hat, to wearing gorgeous outfits made by an amazing South Australian designer with full hair and make-up and lots of people wanting to take photos.How do you think grid girls are perceived? They're an exciting addition to the racing scene, adding glitz and glamour.Do you think some people have the wrong perception of them? People will always have their own perceptions. But we get a positive response from the fans and spectators and we thoroughly enjoy what we do.V8 team of choice? Holden. Craig Lowndes for Red Bull Racing is always exciting to watch and is a real gentleman.What car do you drive? A 1993 Mazda MX5 Clubman.BRITTANY (20) Usual occupation: Sammy D Foundation volunteer, student, bartender at Sky City Adelaide.How long have you been a grid girl? Three years.Why did you decide to be a grid girl? I wanted to be a grid girl since I attended Clipsal 500 with my dad from a young age. Seeing the girls in their outfits looked like so much fun. Best thing about being a grid girl? Being on the grid and the Harley Davidson lap.Worst thing? Early mornings!Tell me about your day job? I volunteer on the Sammy D Foundation's Great Night Out blog-a-van, which goes around SA collecting video blogs from young people on their thoughts about alcohol-fuelled violence and what must be done about it. Several years ago a good friend, Sam Davis, was king-hit and died in an unprovoked attack, so it's good to spend time supporting the Sammy D Foundation set up in his memory, and help educate young people to understand why it's important to make good decisions, look after mates and ways to avoid violence. I'm also studying psychology and criminal justice at Flinders Uni.How different is your day job to being a grid girl? Being a grid girl we get to meet many different types of people, which is quite similar to what I do every day, just with less glitz.How do you think grid girls are perceived? Too often we're seen as being a bit 'ditzy".Do people have the wrong perception of them? I think some do. Most of us are either studying or in careers, as well as knowing a lot about the race.V8 team of choice? Holden.What car do you drive? Holden Barina. 

It’s one of the most anticipated models since the 2007 return of Nissan’s GT-R, but Mazda is still yet to officially confirm a rotary-powered replacement for the RX-7 and RX8 sports models.However, the latest of a series of reports suggests that an RX-7-succeeding two-door sports coupe is under development at least, with the Nissan 370Z’s 86/BRZ-Porsche Cayman splitting market territory firmly in its sights.An idea of what the model might look like has been created by master artist Theophilus Chin, based on Mazda’s Shinari concept that evolved into the current model 6.According to Autoweek, industry buzz suggests that a lightweight two door coupe based on the upcoming 2015 MX-5 is being developed, with a next-generation rotary engine.With the MX-5 expected to drop its price nearer to the 86/BRZ rear-drive performance bargains, a higher performing RX-7 is expected to target the 370Z’s upcoming replacement, which is also expected to lower its current $56,930 entry point.The Mazda is yet to receive a production green light however, with a “no concrete plans” official line, but Autoweek reports that Mazda executives have made off the record confirmation of the development program.A 2015-16 completion date has also been suggested, which would be a logical fit for the rotary engine’s 50th anniversary in 2017 or the RX-7’s 40th anniversary in 2018.Mazda’s chief designer Ikuo Maeda is also the son of the design boss who oversaw the original RX-7’s development, and reportedly wants to see the new sports coupe reach production before he retires.Mazda plans to use a smaller-scale rotary engine design as a generator for agricultural applications, and has explored its potential as a range-extending engine for hybrid vehicle applications as showcased in the Mazda 2 prototype driven by Carsguide late last year. The rotary used in this model is a 330cc single chamber design, unlike the twin-rotor 1.3-litre Renesis unit used most recently in the RX-8 that ended production in 2012.The report suggests that a production Mazda sports coupe will not use a hybrid drivetrain and will be naturally-aspirated like the RX-8. The new model will also likely deliver significantly improved fuel consumption over the RX-8’s 12.9L/100km combined fuel figure.A capacity of around 600cc per rotor has been suggested – slightly down from the RX-8’s 650cc – and it’s unclear whether twin or triple-rotors will be employed. A twin-rotor like the RX-8 is most likely, which would result in an overall capacity of around 1.2-litres.Given the new engine’s efficiency focus, power output is not likely to climb significantly from the RX-8’s 170kW, with a realistic figure of about 186kW. However with the upcoming MX-5’s expected weight savings, such a figure could prove more than adequate in a coupe version of the same platform.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Mazda has indicated it is considering putting rotary power back into a sports car, possibly in the form of a merger between the MX-5 and the RX-8. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi has repeatedly ensured the future of the rotary powerplant - despite the RX-8 production scheduled to end in 2012 - "we will continue the research on the rotary engine - we won't extinguish the flame of the rotary engine," he said.The joint-venture sports coupe developed by Toyota and Subaru has kept the door open for a rotary sports car from Mazda, including the possibility of a rotary-powered MX-5."That kind of product is iconic for our brand, so the current MX-5 or RX-8 we have decided in the future to maintain that kind of product, I can't say if they will be separate - they may be merged into one," the CEO says.Mazda Research and development director Hirotaka Kanazawa confirmed the next MX-5 would remain naturally-aspirated with a Skyactiv powerplant of similar outputs to the current car's 118kW/188Nm outputs (for example, the incoming CX-5 SUV has a direct-injection two-litre producing 114kW and 196Nm), but less burdened by weight.The modern-classic Mazda sportscar will be taken back to its roots, with weight reduction targets aimed at taking the 1135kg two-seater (in its lightest guise) below a one tonne kerb weight, while retaining a soft top and hard top model."We want to go back to the lightweight sports origins, the power is not so much, it is easy to handle and it is fun to drive," he says. Kanazawa-san also says the company is aiming to reduce weight without compromising crash safety performance, which would entail using Skyactiv high-strength steel body structures and composite plastic materials for a hard-top. "We must achieve crash safety, starting with CX-5 the Skyactiv body with load paths and enhanced crash safety, we will apply this to our rear-wheel drive."The R&D director didn't rule out turbocharged versions of the sub-two-litre Skyactiv engines - "We haven't decided that we won't do turbocharging, but first of all we wanted to enhance combustion efficiency of naturally-aspirated engine, that was our first priority"- but maintains the first priority was developing naturally-aspirated engines.

News cruisers are parked-up and beaming pictures before 6am as the temperature hovers around minus 10 and snow flurries drift through the pre-dawn blackness.By 9am there are union workers carrying placards in support of the Big Three outside Cobo Hall in downtown motown, as the great and the good from the world's motor industry arrive for the first major event of 2009.The buzz is down from recent years, with less security and fewer journalists jetting in for the action, but still there are major unveilings, technology, important speeches and so much more over the first two days.The North American International Motor Show is more than just glitz and glamour for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler in 2009 - this is the day when they have to deliver for the first time on the promises in Washington which have earned a government-backed rescue package.That means GM opens the action with a rolling cavalcade of 17 models which promise exactly what the government wants - hybrids, electric cars and regular production models which do better than 10 litres/100km in fuel economy.The headliner once again is the Chevrolet Volt, except this time it is wrapped in Cadillac bodywork and called the Converj - with the added bonus of a plug-in connection to its onboard battery system.Lexus is next and does its number around the brand's first dedicated hybrid, the HS250h, which was originally only planned for America but will now go to more than 80 countries.Then Ford becomes the second of the Big Three to present its position for 2010 and beyond, with an all-new Taurus family car - perhaps a pointer to something on the Falcon front - and the promise of an all-new electric car with a 160-kilometre range by 2011.Company chairman Bill Ford takes the stand to deliver on the company's promises to Washington, even though it was the only local not to take a multi-billion dollar loan."Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future. I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge," Ford says.Then Chrysler, which many American analysts believe cannot survive the global economic meltdown, gets its turn and does a top job with the great looking new 200C family car and a range of electrics which shows it has not given up hope.It's best looker is the Dodge Circuit, which is most like a battery-powered Lotus sports car."The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment,” says the vice-president of design at Dodge, Ralph Gilles.By now, after just two hours of the first press preview day, the pattern for Detroit '09 is set.The home team is going big on the cars it needs to make - even if Americans are still buying BIG with the drop in pump petrol prices - but there is more sizzle than steak because they have started way behind the Japanese and Europeans.And Cobo Hall looks sparse. There are fewer brands, fewer cars and none of the bold-and-brassy unveilings - Chrysler has always led the world in motor show stunts - which have been a signature of the Detroit show.“All I know is we took about 50 per cent out of the cost of our stand,” says the car boss at General Motors, Bob Lutz.“We took away a lot of the structures, such as salad bowl-shaped Saturn stands, and towers with holographic displays.”But he still applies some positive spin as everyone talks up the chances for the Big Three, even in the face of a selloff of the Hummer and Saab divisions at GM.“The fact that we don’t have any of that stuff gives our stand a much more businesslike and cleaner appearance. I think they cluttered up the stand. I imagine it’s going to be much the same around the show," Lutz says.As usual, the 80-plus former fighter pilot is right.BMW joins the hybrid rush at Detroit with news of its petrol-electric X6, thankfully with the all-new Z4 sportster to provide some glamour, as Volkswagen provides the best looking car of the show with its Concept BlueSport.The gorgeous VW is most like a Mazda MX-5, but promises Prius-buster fuel economy in the 4.3 litres/100km range and, without any promise of production, it clearly could have a future.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability," says Volkswagen.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability.”The next big mover in Cobo Hall is Kia, which shows a funky pick-up built on its baby Soul. The Soul'ster is never going to be an Aussie workhorse but will hit the Gen-Y button for America, and California in particular.As the first day in Detroit winds into darkness and more frigid weather, Subaru kicks the action with a preview of its new Liberty - called the Legacy in the USA - Jaguar runs out its high-performance R version of the landmark XF and Volvo shows the most adventurous concept car in its history, pointing to the next S60."The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise," says Volvo boss, Stephen Odell.Ford goes again to start day two at Cobo, with its Lincoln-Mercury models, then its back to Maserati and then GM pushes the home game hard with an announcement that the batteries for its Volt will be built in the USA. It's a boost for local jobs, more hard news on the Volt, and just what Washington will want before the Big Three report back on their survival plans at the end of March.And then there is a shock - at least for the Americans - as Chinese cars make the mainstream in Detroit for the first time and little-known BYD confirms it will be selling the world's first production plug-in electric car by 2010.The last big event of Detroit '09 is the one everyone already knows about - the new Toyota Prius.The list of 'firsts' is impressive as the car is unveiled, from its drag co-efficient to more luxury and a more-efficient battery system. But Honda has already undercut the third-generation Prius on price with its Insight, which is headlining for the brand in Detroit, and there is no sign of a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery pack.But the Prius has solar-powered air-conditioning to cool the car when it is parked, is bigger and quieter inside, and is certain to become the world's best selling hybrid. The car comes with more than 1000 new patents on technology and a claim of 3.9 litres/100km economy."Prius is more than a hybrid, it’s a solution. No longer is it a second car or a passing fad. In many households, it has become the primary family car," says Bob Carter of Toyota USA.There is other stuff to see in Detroit, and some things are obviously missing _ the Mercedes E-Class was an invitation-only event and Rolls-Royce is holding its all-new RR4 for the Geneva Motor Show in March - but the overall verdict on 2009 is surprisingly positive.Cars are still big news, look good and make promises of a better and more enjoyable life on the road.But the big question remains. Did the Big Three do enough, and show enough in Detroit, to convince the American government that they deserve the support it will take to get them through the biggest crisis in the history of the automobile?