Mazda Remaining Tight Lipped Over New 6 Launch

Car manufacturers are trying harder than ever in these digital days to give as little away as possible with regards to new product launches.

Mazda is one such manufacturer keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to the all new Mazda 6, which will debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and is due for dealer launch in this financial year.

At a recent preview of the all new Mazda CX7 and new Mazda 2 in Germany, dealer principals from UK & European dealers were invited to any early viewing of the 6, that is after being frisked for mobile phones and camera's and given the lack of news circulating the web, they also appear to be playing ball. All one manager would say is that the car was 'stunning' and reminded him of a Lexus.

So in the meantime all we can do is take their word for it and try to imagine the car through all that apparel.

Iconic Return For Mazda MX5

Mazda re-introduced a patriotic special edition of the iconic Mazda MX5 in time for summer motoring.

The appropriately named Mazda MX5 Icon is available in Red, White and Blue reflecting the fact that Mazda is Britain's favourite sports car brand - delivering one in every four sports cars sold in the UK this year.

While the news is bad for the competition, it's great news for the roadster enthusiast where value for money is concerned. This latest edition is packed to the hilt with over £1500 of additional features, including climate control air-conditioning, Icon-branded black Medici leather seats and unique Icon-branded luxury interior mats.

Available in two engine sizes, 1.8i (126ps) and 2.0i (160 ps), the Icon also has unique exterior 'Icon' badging and a rather neat set of chrome style bar trims, an accessory that would normally set you back a £100.

As well as adding the special Icon features, generous standard equipment of the MX-5 ensures that buyers can enjoy: leather wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, six-speaker audio system, electric windows, premium black cloth soft-top, 16-inch alloy wheels, twin chrome exhaust tail pipes and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

It's not the first time the Icon has blessed our roads as Mazda introduced the original Mk 2 MX5 Icon back in April 2000 in Art Vin Red mica paint, polished alloy wheels and biege leather interior. Building only 750 units in total for the UK. They then re-issued the model in the Mk3 in February 2005, this time in Chilli Orange, Black Mica, Titanium Grey and Sunlight Silver. Again with a host of goodies like leather interior, heated seats and the like.

Like its predecessor's, the Icon will be strictly limited in numbers, with 875 1.8i's and 375 2.0i's in production in the UK. The price is looking good too, with the 1.8i starting at £16,825 and the 2.0i at £17,825. Amazing isn't it when you think back in 2000, the original Icon cost £19,200 on the road and the 2005 model £17,100, both of which had inferior specifications.

Black Hawk Colt Gets Turbo Treatment

As we revealed in an earlier post, Mitsubishi launched two new special edition Colts, badged as Black Hawks.

One was based on the 1.1 3dr CZ range, the other as we'll discuss in these pages, carries the more potent 4-cylinder, 16 valve, DOHC Turbo from the Mitsubishi Colt CZT family.

Reaching a claimed speed of 132 mph and a 0-62 time in a fraction over 7 seconds, the Black Hawk CZT will certainly feel like it has wings.

Looking at the specification its pretty much the same as the standard CZT, with sports seats, rear tailgate spoiler, front fog lamps, sports grille, disc brakes all round and a six-speaker CD/radio with steering wheel remote controls. You are however getting two big silver strips running parallel the entire length of the car from bumper to bumper, privacy glass and a hot new set of 17 inch diameter, 7 inch wide "Black Hawk" alloy wheels married to ultra-low profile 205 / 40 tyres.

From the press images it looks the business, although i would have liked to have seen the suspension and exhaust getting a tweak, you know a little lowering here and there, just to give it that extra something. But at £13,026 quid your not paying for the privilage as it's the same price as the standard CZT, so at least your getting your money's worth.

Production is limited to 200 units in the UK with cars arriving at selected dealerships towards the end of this month.

Colt Black Hawks Swoop Into Showrooms

Mitsubishi launched two new special edition Colt's yesterday named the Black Hawks.

Based on the CZ and CZT Turbo family, these Black beauties, actually a better name if you ask me given it's a Colt, bring back the days of Henry Ford given you can only get them in Black.

First in flight is the nippy and nimble 1.1 3dr, which should appeal to the younger driver with its low insurance rating of 3E. However, considering it's using the 1124 cc 3-cylinder, 12-valve, DOHC engine, its more a Kestral than a Black Hawk and is more likely to give you a scratch, rather than rip your heart out, although it will return a frugal 50 mpg.

It is however going to stand out in a crowd with two silver stripes running from front-to-back, over the centre of the bonnet, roof and tailgate. Your also going to get privacy-glass fitted to the side and rear windows.

Specification will be high given the usual goodies packed into Mitsubishi Colts these days, although air conditioning, which is virtually standard across the Colt range, is going to cost you extra at £595. Best feature of all is a set of 16” alloy wheels, which are surrounded by low profile 205 / 45 tyres. These are definately going to give you street cred.

Starting at a very reasonable £8,021 OTR to £8,616 OTR for models fitted with air-conditioning, the Colt Black Hawk isn't going to break the bank, however Mitsubishi are limiting production to 400 models, so you'd better get your old car washed off and get in quickly.

Black Hawk Colt Gets Turbo Treatment

Kia Realign Ceed Prices

Following a slow start to sales of Kia's all new Cee'd Hatchback and pressure from dealers, Kia recently announced a limited edition Ceed SR, with a price point of £10,495 (£500 less than the 1.4S).

Since then sales have started to show signs of recovery and to keep the momentum going, Kia announced a realignment of it's Diesel prices.

Following the success of the diesel for petrol pricing offer on Kia Rio and Sportage at the beginning of the year, and recognising the strength of their Cee’d diesel derivatives, Kia announced that from May 16th to June 30th 2007, all Cee’d S, GS and LS diesel derivatives will be available at the same price as the equivalent petrol derivatives. This offer excludes SR limited editions.

To help push along existing stocks of the 1.4 & 1.6 S model, which took a dip when the SR came along, Kia will also be offering dealers incentives to quickly sell these from stock, so expect some big discounting on those models.

Kia's new Zilina plant is now producing high volumes of Cee’d every day and next year it is planned to increase output further. So it's obvious Kia need to accelerate their sales performance to ensure the Kia Ceed becomes a major player in the C segment, and prepare for further sales growth in 2008.

Kia Ceed Three Day Test Drive Improvements

Kia UK have made some changes to their Kia Ceed three-day test drive programme to make it more flexible and ensure as many customers as possible take up the opportunity.

In the event of a no-show, Kia dealers can now open up the test drive to a walk-in prospect on the same day, provided the driver meets the necessary insurance requirements.

If your not familiar with the scheme visit the Kia Three Day Test Drive website for more information.

Meanwhile new service books for existing Kia Ceed customers with vehicles covered by the improved 7 year warranty packages will be available this week. Owners are being contacted directly by KMUK, but the handover of the new documents may provide an opportunity for dealers to gain new service plan sales.