Category: Mazda

Categories
Accessories & Tech Mazda Video

Start me up

iPod controlled RX-8

Seems like everyone wants a 1:1 scale remote control car these days. First there was the Vodafone viral for Lewis Hamilton, now John Oxer, from Melbourne, has added remote capabilities to his 2004 Mazda RX-8.

John is part of the admin team at geekmyride.org, so of course, it is his wont to add a bunch of nerdy, yet very cool functionality to his 1:1 model car. Full driving control appears to be a way off yet, but John can now unlock and start his car from anywhere in the world using his iPod Touch. Once running he is able to access live data, including RPM, fuel capacity and so on. Using Google Maps he can also pinpoint his car’s exact location.

The RX-8 is fitted with it’s own internet connection and the iPod Touch uses WiFi to talk to the car. There’s a whole bunch of geeky stuff explaining how all this works in the YouTube clip after the jump.

[Source: geekmyride.org]

Continue reading “Start me up”
Categories
Mazda Targa Tasmania

Mazda turbocharges Targa assault

Mazda turbocharges Targa assault

Mazda Australia is planning one of its biggest and best assaults on Targa Tasmania yet. They have signed 2008 winner, South Australian Steve Glenney, and thrown him the keys to a 205kW turbocharged RX-8 SP.

“I’m excited to be chosen by Mazda Motorsport to play a role in the development of the Mazda RX-8, and to be driving it in its Australian rally debut,” said Glenney.

“The RX-8’s a great-looking car, the rotary engine is synonymous with Mazda’s Motorsport history in Australia, and I’m confident of getting a top result for Mazda.”

Mazda and Glenney are hoping the return of the SP badge to Australian motorsport will bring a top-three finish. The RX-7 SP, the last Mazda to race in Australia with the SP badge, won four Bathurst 12 hour races in a row from 1992–95.

Also forming part of Mazda’s Targa team will be a pair of Mazda 3 MPS vehicles. Australian motorsport perennial Rick Bates returns in Mazda colours for the third year in a row. This year he will be partnered by Anthony McLoughlin. That’s the experience covered then, what about youth? Mazda, has that angle covered as well with the brother and sister team of Brendan Reeves and Rhiannon Smyth also taking the wheel of the MPS hatch.

Targa Tasmania 2009 runs from Tuesday April 28–Sunday May 3 and AUSmotive will again be there at the coalface in support of MINI competitors Andrew Robinson and Stu Jones.

A trio of press statements detailing Mazda’s plans follows after the jump.

Continue reading “Mazda turbocharges Targa assault”
Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Geneva 2009: Mazda3 MPS image gallery

2009 Mazda3 MPS

Mazda have teased us with images and video of the Mazda3 MPS. Now, as part of their Geneva Auto Salon program, they have gone the whole nine yards and released a full suite of images and comprehensive details of their hottest hatch.

Peak power from the 2.3 litre turbo four cylinder, at 191kW, is no great leap forward from the previous model. Same goes for the 380Nm peak torque. Visually, though, the Mazda3 has a fresh look that takes the car forward. The somewhat controversial smiling face actually looks much better in person than in pictures, and that massive air intake on the bonnet helps to give the MPS a character all of its own.

Torque steer was always one of the pitfalls of the previous gen Mazda3 MPS. With more than 250bhp being sent to the front wheels, is it any wonder? No surprise, then, that the Mazda boffins have fiddled around a bit to make improvements in the new model. Things such as tweaks to the driveshafts, a torque sensing limited slip diff and torque supression system should help to give the 18″ front wheels a fighting chance.

There’s plenty of images and text after the jump to keep you busy for a bit. As always, click on each pic to load a wallpaper sized 2000x1320px super image.

UPDATE 4 March: Don’t forget, Melbourne readers can see the new Mazda3 MPS for themselves from today onwards at the Melbourne International Motor Show. This marks the worldwide public debut for the car, pretty cool, huh!

Continue reading “Geneva 2009: Mazda3 MPS image gallery”
Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – Mazda

Mazda at the Melbourne International Motor Show

It was all about the Mazda 3 at this display. The first Australian public reveal of Mazda’s best selling model surprised me somewhat. In picture form the 3 can look a bit awkward with its huge smiling face, however, in the metal the car looks more cohesive and one would be extremely surprised if the sales success doesn’t continue for Mazda. The new model goes on local sale in April.

Mazda broke the ice, and the not-another-speech monotony with a performance from the Scared Weird Little Guys. It was a so-so performance from the comedy duo, but a welcome relief all the same.

Don’t forget, the worldwide public debut of the new Mazda 3 MPS will take place at the Melbourne International Motor Show on Wednesday 4 March. The new MPS will make its media debut in Geneva, but with time zone differences Mazda has been able to secure the coup of the first public showing taking place down under. Pretty cool, huh.

Mazda’s iconic MX-5 has also had a facelift recently, and this was shown for the first time in Melbourne, too.

Continue reading “MIMS 2009 – Mazda”
Categories
Mazda News

Slumdog millionaire – first to see will buy

$2.8M Mazda 626

Trap for young players this one… when placing an ad for your car on carsales.com.au, make sure you proof read the all the details, especially the price. Either that, or remove the drugs from the car before the Police arrive.

UPDATE 16 Feb: Readers will be pleased to know this car is now priced at a much more reasonable $3,500.

Source: carsales (Thanks to Alex for the tip.)

Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Mazda3 MPS marching towards Melbourne

2009 Mazda3 MPS

The all new Mazda3 MPS will be on show at the Melbourne International Motor Show from Wednesday 4 March.

Mazda Australia is rushing the 3 MPS down under for display just hours after the car’s worldwide debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The newly scooped pocket rocket will be in Australian showrooms some time after October this year.

For more on the Mazda3 MPS, read this earlier AUSmotive article.

Continue reading “Mazda3 MPS marching towards Melbourne”
Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

All new Mazda3 making moves for Melbourne

New Mazda3

In addition to the facelifted MX-5, Mazda will give an Australian premiere to the all new Mazda3 at the Melbourne International Motor Show, starting on 27 February.

Two Mazda3 models will be on show, a Sunlight Silver Mazda3 Maxx Sport sedan and an SP25 hatchback in Celestial Blue. Doug Dickson, Mazda Australia Managing Director said, “The new-generation Mazda3 has a more expressive and emotional design that emphasises dynamism, and has the driving excitement and agility to back it up.”

Last month the current Mazda3 topped the Australian sales charts. An amazing effort really for a hatchback, and for a manufacturer outside of the more traditional Holden, Toyota and Ford.

Continue reading “All new Mazda3 making moves for Melbourne”
Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Mazda MX-5 to refresh MIMS

2009 Mazda MX-5

Mazda revealed its facelifted MX-5 at last year’s Paris Motor Show. Now, it has released a full suite of images of the updated NC model. The refreshed MX-5 will have its first Australian preview on the stands of the Melbourne International Motor Show later this month. It will go on Australian sale in late March.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic roadster. Affordable drop tops are all the rage these days. However, back in 1989 the possibility of a rear wheel drive convertible for sub $30K was not so common.

Amazingly, Takao Kijima has been involved in all three generations of MX-5, “I have been involved with the Mazda MX-5 since the project was first approved in 1986, and was lucky enough to be a chassis engineer on the first model that established the MX-5 roadster’s reputation as an exciting and affordable lightweight sports car.

“I was honoured to succeed Toshihiko Hirai as MX-5 programme manager in 1995 and lead the team on the second and third generation MX-5.”

Still the only “affordable” rear wheel drive roadster on the market the current MX-5 is available with six speed manual or automatic transmissions with a 118kW 2.0 litre four cylinder engine. A traditional rag top is the entry level option, or a folding metal roof can be yours if you choose.

More facelift images after the jump.

Continue reading “Mazda MX-5 to refresh MIMS”
Categories
Mazda

2009 Mazda3 MPS teaser video

Not much else to say other than, here is a 30 second teaser video for the new Mazda3 MPS.

Categories
Mazda

Mazda3 MPS scoops Geneva

2009 Mazda3 MPS

The all new Mazda3 MPS, and its massive WRX-inspired bonnet scoop, will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

After recently being spotted at the Nürburgring, in full auto disguise, Mazda has unwrapped the new pocket rocket to reveal the wild new look. The new car will feature the same 2.3 DISI turbo powerplant from the current 3 MPS. We just have to hope Mazda has done a better job of harnessing every one of those 190kW that are fed through the front wheels.

The regular Mazda3 looks a bit quirky and ungainly with its big open mouth smile, the addition of the extroverted scoop seems to give the Mazda3 face more purpose.

Also making its first appearance in Geneva will be the Mazda3 i-Stop, the next car to have fuel saving stop-start technology.

Brief presser and more pics after the jump.

Continue reading “Mazda3 MPS scoops Geneva”
Categories
Mazda

New Mazda 3 MPS spied at the Nürburging

Mazda 3 MPS spied in testing on the Nurburgring

Following the release of information for the new Mazda 3 sedan and hatch, come these spy shots of the MPS version in testing around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. Mazda’s latest pocket rocket is scheduled for an official reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

The new Mazda 3 MPS is said to take its 2.3 litre engine from the predecessor, so that means a still stupendous 190kW of power being driven through the front wheels. Although, with a reduction in weight, the car should be even quicker. Presumably the second iteration of Mazda’s hottest of hot hatches will make a better fist of dealing with all that power.

From the pics above the most obvious new exterior feature is the huge WRX-inspired bonnet scoop. One thing is certain, despite the new Mazda 3 looking a bit “happy” in the face, it still looks a damn sight better than Subaru’s latest WRX.

Source: AutoExpress

Categories
Mazda

Mazda3 hatch sneak peak

Mazda3 hatch

Following the release of Mazda3 sedan images and details, the Japanese manufacturer has released a few teaser images for the new Mazda3 hatch. The hatchback will have a full reveal at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show at 9am on 3 December (7pm AEDST).

The December 2008 issue of Wheels magazine also reports of a new Mazda3 MPS currently under development. It is said the new MPS will produce the same power  (190kW), but techno-boffins have been working to improve on getting all that power through the front wheels with more success. A revised torque management system is being tweaked, which Mazda hopes will improve real-world driveablity throughout the rev range.

Other engine news sees the 2.2 litre diesel from the Mazda6, complete with a Euro5 emissions seal of approval, to be used in the Mazda3. Presumably this option will make it down under, but don’t lock it in just yet.

Stay tuned for the world premiere on 3 December with more images, no doubt.

Continue reading “Mazda3 hatch sneak peak”