Mazda 3 Gets High 5

The all new Mazda 3 has achieved a 5 star EuroNCAP safety rating.

Meeting a more stringent evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating, the new Mazda 3 achieved maximum scores in four key areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist.

Mazda 3 is the second Mazda model to be awarded the five-star maximum rating under the new Euro NCAP evaluation system. The new Mazda 6 received five stars in February 2009. Mazda 2 and Mazda 5 received a maximum ranking of five stars for Adult Occupant Protection from Euro NCAP in December 2007 and 2005 respectively.

The new Mazda 3 inherits and evolves these characteristics and, with this recognition from Euro NCAP, is among the safest cars in the important European compact segment.

Mazda's i-Stop Is A Show Stopper

Idling stop technology has been around for sometime albeit in more expensive cars. Now it's finding its way into more afordable transport thanks to friends of the earth and people obsessed with lowering emissions.

Mazda introduced their all new Mazda 3 with i-stop technology this year, as part of its future green technology strategy, and now its won an award.

The 2009 Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC) presented Mazda with the Technology of the Year award for developing a system which restarts in just 0.35 seconds, that's twice as fast as other competing systems.

The new Mazda 3 with i-stop offers approximately 15 percent improved fuel economy compared to the previous model when tested under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle. Mazda 3 models with i-stop also qualify for Japan's eco-car incentive program as well as tax reductions of 75 percent under the government’s eco-car tax reduction program. Almost half of the total Mazda3 sales volume in Japan to date has been i-stop models.

The Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan, a non-profit organization (NPO), was established in 1990. It aims to contribute to the development of the automotive industry through various activities, including the recognition of outstanding vehicles and technologies by the Car of the Year selection committee.

Automotive technologies eligible for the 2009 RJC Technology of the Year competition must be introduced to the market in vehicles sold between November 1, 2008, and October 31, 2009. This is the third time that Mazda has won the RJC Technology of the Year award. Previously, Mazda won for its Miller-cycle engine (used in the Eunos 800) in 1993 and for the RENESIS Rotary engine (for the RX-8) in 2003.

Its Scot To Be The Mazda 3

While the car industry is trying to tempt motorists south of the border with weird, wacky and wonderful designs, the frugal Scots know that if your going to reach into your sporan and part with your cash, it needs to be a safe bet.

That safe bet comes in the form of the Mazda 3. A car that for the past 5 years has scooped the ‘Best Family Car’ category at The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2009, held in the golfing playground of St Andrews on Friday 13th November.

Now in its 12th year, the Scottish Car of the Year is judged by members of the AMSW, comparing in the region of 60 different models launched between September 2008 and September 2009 across eight categories.

The all-new Mazda 3 impressed judges with its quality, style and driving experience tipping it ahead of its rivals including the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Yeti in the family car category.

But it's not only the judges that have been impressed. Owners of the previous Mazda 3 have flocked into the showrooms to trade in their old models proving that Mazda commands brand loyalty. In fact 16 European countries exceeded their sales projections in September, resulting in a European retail volume that was 8 per cent above objective which was primarily down to the success of the all new Mazda 3 range.

All-new Mazda 3 is offered with a choice of four petrol and three diesel powertrains, all fine‑tuned to use less fuel. The 20-strong model line-up (16 hatchback and four saloon cars) is available in a choice of nine body colours and five equipment levels; S, TS, TS2, Sport and Sports Luxury. Each highly specified and includes Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and an Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS) System as standard on all models.

Mazda6 Tamura Reintroduced

Mazda reintroduced its special edition Mazda6 Tamura with a host of additional goodies at no extra cost.

Taking a leaf out of the top of the range sport model, the 6 Tamura offers big 18" alloy wheels fitted with low-profile tyres, alloy pedals, privacy glass and clear rear light bezels for for superb dynamic road holding.

To give it striking looks they've also thrown in a sports pack which includes front and rear sports bumpers and sports grille, side skirts and rear spoiler. Metallic & Mic paint is also Free of charge.

All this at a modest £17,200 makes the Mazda6 Tamura better value than it's mid-range 2.0 TS cousin.

Stocks are strictly limited with Stormy Blue Mica or Sunlight Silver the only two colours available. All Mazda6 Tamura's come with a 3yr 60000 mile warranty and 3 yrs European Roadside Assistance.

Facelift Mazda MX5's On Sale April

Following changes to the all new Mazda 6, Mazda 2 and soon to be launched Mazda 3, it seemed only fair for the Mazda engineers to give its most famous son a make over.

Introducing the upgraded Mazda MX5.

Both the Soft Top and Roadster Coupe have been upgraded to form an 8 car strong line up which includes exterior, interior as well as performance and chassis improvements.

Exterior & Interior

The 2009 upgrade means that every MX-5 comes with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake, plus an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary (AUX) input jack for MP3 and iPod connection.

All 2.0i models (from £17,345), delivering 160ps, feature DSC (dynamic stability control), TCS (traction control system), a Limited Slip Differential (except PowerShift models) and side airbags. Climate control air conditioning is a £550 option on these models.

The Roadster Coupe differs slightly from its soft top stablemate with a new mesh-type front grille which is surrounded by a chrome-look edge trim, the headlamps feature chrome bezels and the exterior door handles have a chrome finish. The front fog lamps have silver inner bezels and there is a clear lens for the high-mounted rear stop light. The cabin is also better insulated with interior noise reduced by a significant 2.7dB at 37 mph.

Performance & Chassis

For 2009, Mazda MX5 customers will now have a choice of four powertrains, all fine-tuned to use less fuel – the 126ps 1.8i or higher-revving 160ps 2.0i with five-speed gearbox, the 160ps 2.0i with a smoother-shifting six-speed manual gearbox and the new 160ps 2.0i ‘PowerShift’ six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission with full-auto mode. The engine fine-tuning and aerodynamic drag reductions have resulted in significantly lower CO2 (from 167 g/km for the 1.8i, down from 174 g/km) and enhanced fuel consumption (from 40.4 mpg for the 1.8i, up from 38.7 mpg).

The new PowerShift transmission delivers an even more sporty drive for the Mazda MX5, with gear changes achieved by operating the paddles behind the steering wheel – just like an F1 racecar – so the driver does not have to take his, or her, hand off the wheel. PowerShift makes B-road cross-country driving in the MX5 even more thrilling and when road, traffic conditions or the driver’s mood demands, the full-auto mode gives the option of fully automatic operation for easy city driving and motorway cruising.

A choice of seven body colours will be available – including two new colours (Aluminium Silver Metallic and Metropolitan Grey Mica). Aluminium Silver Metallic contains aluminium particles that diffuse light and cause diverse kinds of reflections and shadow, depending on light conditions. Carried over colours are Copper Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica and solid colours Brilliant Black and True Red.

Prices start from £16,345 to £21,695 (on-the-road). Zoom-Zoom

Mazda Offer Sports Appearance Kit Incentives on 3 MPS

To boost sales of Mazda's superb Mazda 3 MPS, customers will receive a £500 saving if they opt for the version with the sports appearance kit.

This will cancel out the additional £500 which Mazda currently charge over the standard model.

In the UK, the sports hatchback market is both well established and more demanding in terms of styling than in other European countries which is why Mazda developed a Sports Aero kit model, together with Mazda in Japan.

This version includes a larger rear sports spoiler, low-drag two-spoke sports door mirrors and lowered suspension. And believe me it makes all the difference in the world. Without the kit, the Mazda 3 MPS feels like a jack Russell on wet lino. We also think it will become a standard feature and no longer cost a premium.

There's also additional incentives for Mazda dealers who signed up for the Mazda 3 MPS Tactical Offer. This scheme allows subscribed dealers to go for an aggressive pricing campaign, giving them a fast start and saving customers a lot of the green stuff in the process, which can only be a good thing.

Meanwhile the rest of the Mazda 3 range will benefit from 0% finance with a 50% deposit or 4.9% APR with a smaller more flexible deposit and terms.

There's also a high level of 3 1.6 TS petrol automatics in stock at national level and so Mazda have also targeted these specific models and offered dealers generous bonuses to help reduce stock levels. Sounds like there's going to be some real bargains out there.

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.