Paris Motor Show Debut for Facelifted Mazda2 and New 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel

Mazda has announced that the refreshed Mazda2 will be given its European premiere at next month's Paris motor show. The Japanese firm also plans to introduce a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel for the Mazda5 MPV and Mazda3 sedan and hatchback models at the show.

Just like its North American counterpart, the European market spec Mazda2 benefits from a new nose job with a reprofiled bumper and Mazda's smiley face grille, along with some minor interior upgrades.

Other improvements include a tweaked chassis for better ride comfort and the introduction of a new automatic transmission variant, while all engines in the Mazda2 lineup now comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard.

Mazda will also premiere a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine for the Mazda5 MPV and Mazda3 models. The new diesel produces 115HP and is matched to a six-speed manual transmission, returning a combined fuel economy of 5.2lt/100km (45.2mpg US) on the Mazda5 and 4.4lt/100km (53.5 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 117g/km on the Mazda3.

Steering Issues Prompt Mazda3 and Mazda5 Recall in the States

Mazda's US division is recalling 215,000 units of its 2007-2009MY Mazda3 and Mazda5 cars manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, because of a problem with the steering wheel system. More specifically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said a defect in these vehicles could lead to a sudden loss of power assist which reduces the driver's ability to steer the car, especially at low speeds.

In a notice to the safety agency, the Japanese automaker said that due to short supply of parts, "the first phase of mailing of owner notification letters will begin on or before September 15, 2010 and the second phase mailing will begin in September 2010 and be completed in February 2011."

If you happen to own one of the recalled models, you can contact Mazda's customer assistance center for more details at 1-800-222-5500.

New Mazda Takuya Special Editions for UK Market

Obviously Mazda has embarked on a journey to teach Japanese to British buyers. After the MX-5 Miyako limited edition series - named after a Japanese island, Mazda is now introducing the 'Takuya' special edition range, available on the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 models. The name 'Takuya' – pronounced 'tah-koy-yah' – is taken from the Japanese for forerunner or pioneer. Changes on the special edition models are limited to cosmetic and equipment upgrades.

Starting with the Mazda2, the Takuya model comes with a 86HP 1.3-liter petrol engine and features 16-inch alloy wheels, a sports styling kit with spoiler, sports bumpers and side skirts, and front fog lights. The five-door hatch's interior is upgraded with black sports trim, trip computer, leather steering wheel and gear knob, steering wheel remote audio controls and a Parrot Bluetooth hands-free kit. Prices start from £11,915 (OTR).

Priced from £15,780, the Mazda3 Takuya gets a 105HP 1.6L petrol engine and boasts a leather steering wheel and shift knob, automatic dual-zone climate control air conditioning, black sports interior trim, sports seats, an integrated Bluetooth system, LED lights, a six-disc CD changer and rain-sensing wipers.

Those interested in the Mazda6 Takuya have the option to choose from three different version - 2.0-litre five-door (£19,845), 2.2D 163ps five-door (£20,945) and 2.2D 163ps Estate (£21,595).

All three models benefit from the fitment of 18-inch alloy wheels, a sports grille and dusk-sensing headlights on the exterior, while the interior is upgraded with an alloy pedal set, half-leather heated seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control air conditioning, and leather steering wheel and shift knob.

[Not so] Special Edition Mazda Axela 90th Anniversary Released in Japan

Like most auto makers celebrating any type of anniversary, Mazda is on a "special edition" spree for its 90th birthday. And just like most car manufacturers, there's nothing really 'special' about any of its commemorative models other than their name.

This time, Mazda has launched the Axela (known overseas as the Mazda3 hatchback) 90th Anniversary Edition. Based on the Japanese-market 1.5 S Style, the special edition packs some new features including 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, side spoilers, LED rear combination lights and dark tinted glass - yeah, that's so special...

The version with the larger alloy wheels also gets discharge headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 4.1-inch multi-information display for the audio, climate control, trip computer and other systems.

In Japan, prices start from 1,760,000 Yen for the model with the 15-inch wheels and from 1,850,000 Yen for the model with the 16'' alloys.

Mazda Launches Not so Special 90th Anniversary Editions of Axela and Biante in Japan

On January 30, 2010, Mazda will reach its 90th birthday and to celebrate the event, the automaker has begun churning out special edition versions of its cars like the Axela (known to the rest of the world as the Mazda3 hatch) and the Biante minivan, both of which went on sale in Japan today.

However, truth to be said, there's nothing really 'special' about the two models other than the Axela's exclusive exterior body color that's called Gunmetal Blue Mica and the fact that both cars come with more standard features such as the 'i-stop' start & go system that reduces fuel consumption.

Mazda Says it Will Add Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Drivetrains to Lineup

As the saying goes, if you can't beat them, you might as well join them. Following Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi's 180 degree turn on the embracement of hybrid technologies that came at the New York Auto Show in April, the company's Executive Vice President Philip Spender announced new details on Mazda's future hybrid plans during the Japanese launch event of the 2010 Axela (Mazda3).

"We've started to talk a lot more about it lately, in part because everybody else is," Spender said. "Mazda is responding partly to new government incentives and emissions rules," he added.

Spender revealed that Mazda will not develop a standalone hybrid model but instead the firm will offer gasoline-electric drivetrains as an option on existing models in its portfolio with the first cars expected in the "20-teens".

The Mazda executive did not disclose details on which models would get a hybrid drivetrain option, but we gather that the Mazda3 and Mazda6 as well as the firm's SUV/Crossover models will be among the first in line. And how about Mazda's sportscars like the MX-5 / Miata roadster? Your guess is as good as ours, but feel free to state your thoughts in the comment section below.

Via: Autonews (Sub. Req.)

New Mazda Axela - Mazda3 Goes on Sale in Japan, Also Available with AWD

Mazda has announced the domestic market launch of its all-new Axela which is known elsewhere as the Mazda3. In Japan, the newest version of the '3' is offered with two body styles, a four door sedan and a five-door hatchback powered by 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four cylinder gasoline engines that can be hooked up to a CVT or 4/5-speed automatic transmissions (depending on the version). Nothing exciting here, but unlike Western markets where the Mazda3 is offered exclusively with front-wheel drive, Japanese buyers can opt for an all-wheel drive system.

At the top of the range is the Japanese equivalent of the MazdaSpeed3 (Mazda3 MPS for Europeans), called the MazdaSpeed Axela. It comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four with power being transferred to the front-wheels (no AWD option here) through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Japanese automaker said that suggested retail prices including sales tax for the new Axela range from 1,660,000 to 2,678,000 yen or about $17k to $27.5k at today's exchange rates. Mazda's target sales volume for the Japanese market is around 2,000 units per month.

First Recall for 2010 Mazda3 in the U.S.

The new 2010 Mazda3 has only been made available in the U.S. market since March 2009, but the subcompact model has already received its first recall. Overall, Mazda will be calling back to its dealerships 25,400 sedans and hatchback models because of a problem concerning the starter motor. More specifically, the company found that the clearance between the engine harness and the housing of starter motor may be inadequate as vibration during operation may cause a short-circuit between certain harness wires and the starter housing.

If this happens the fuse may blow out causing the engine to stall and not restart again. The Japanese firm's dealers will have the engine harness inspected and add a protector clip on the affected section of the harness while if deemed necessary, the harness will be repaired.

Happy Days: 2010 Mazda CX-9 Facelift Coming to NY Show along with new CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3

It's going to be all about 'smileys' at Mazda's stand at next month's New York International Auto Show. Along with the all-new, high-performance 2010 MazdaSpeed3 hatch and the refreshed 2010 CX-7 crossover, Mazda will also present the supposedly "heavily revised" CX-9 large crossover. Mazda claims that the 2010 CX-9 has received an exterior and interior facelift without however giving our any further details.

Form what we can tell, the facelifted CX-9 now features a larger and somewhat... smiley-shaped lower grille that seems to be making it on all Mazda models, along with a newly styled bumper, a five-point upper grille, revised headlamps and new exterior mirrors.

Geneva Show: 2010 Mazda3 MPS - MazdaSpeed3 with 260HP, High-Res Photo Gallery

Inheriting the 260-horsepower strong 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine of the current model, the new Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. On the outside, Mazda's proposal in the hot hatch segment is distinguished by details such as the WRX-style hood scoop, the larger roof wing, new 18-inch alloy wheels and the restyled bumpers.

Inside, Mazda attempted to give the car a sportier feeling with semi-bucket seats and a tachometer that features a red MPS logo and a needle that travels through 260 degrees as opposed to the 190-degree rotation on other new Mazda3 models. The instrument cluster for the all-new MPS also includes an LED turbo boost gauge positioned between the meters. The MPS also gets red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and centre armrest.

Under the skin, the MPS is powered by a refined version of the current model's 2.3-liter turbocharged engine producing the same 260HP at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine is matted to a six-speed manual gearbox that delivers power to the front wheels. The new MPS features a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and acceleration of 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds.

Mazda supports that optimized aerodynamics help reduce fuel consumption from 9.7l/100 km (24.2mpg US) on the previous model to 9.2l/100 km (25.6mpg US) - a 5 percent improvement. Also newly introduced on this engine is the world's first single-nanotechnology, fast-reacting catalytic converter, which delivers cleaner emissions and Euro5 compliance.

The new Mazda3 MPS also comes with a revised suspension set up, improved steering and larger diameter 320 mm ventilated disc brakes in the front and 280 mm solid discs in the rear. Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) replaces the previous mechanical system, while four-wheel ABS and DSC belong to the car's standard equipment.

New Mazda3 MPS dimensions and specifications for EU

Model name		Mazda3 MPS
Dimensions
Overall length	mm	4,505
Overall height	mm	1,460
Overall width	mm	1,770
Wheelbase	mm	2,640
Track (front/rear)	mm	1,535 /1,520
Luggage capacity	l	340 (300 with Bose® System)
Drive train		FWD

Engine		MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo
Displacement	cc	2,261
Bore x stroke	mm	87.5 x 94.0
Fuel tank capacity	l	60
Max. output	kW/PS	191/260 at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque	Nm	380 at 3,000 rpm

Fuel consumption *
Combined	l/100km	9.2
Urban	l/100km	13.5
Extra urban	l/100km	7.5
CO2 emission (combined)	g\km	217
Emission		Euro Stage V
Exhaust system		single-nanotechnology
Transmission		6-speed manual transmission
Differential		Torque-sensing Limited Slip Differential

Performance
Max. speed	km/h	250
0-100 km/h (EU)	sec	6.1
Steering		Electro-hydraulic power assist system
Turn lock-to-lock		2.7
Min. turning circle	m	11
Suspension, front		MacPherson strut
Suspension, rear		Multi-link
Coil spring rate, front	N/mm	26.8
Coil spring rate, rear	N/mm	29.9
Dampers, front		Twin tube
Dampers, rear		Mono tube
Stabiliser diameter, front	mm	26
Stabiliser diameter, rear	mm	25
Front brake type, diameter	mm	Ventilated discs, 320
Rear brake type, diameter	mm	Solid discs, 280
Brake booster		8" + 9" tandem booster & large 1" diameter master cylinder
Tyres, wheels		Dunlop 225/40 R18, 18 x 7.5J