2016 Mazda CX-3

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 will go on sale this fall in the US with a single engine option and pricing that will start “in the low $20,000s.”

The small crossover will be offered with the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine rated at 146hp at 6,000 rpm and 146lb-ft (198Nm) of peak torque available from 2,800 rpm. The engine will be offered exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA-estimated fuel economy is not yet certified, but Mazda engineers anticipate it to achieve fuel economy “at the top of its class.”

The 2016 CX-3 will be available with Mazda’s predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system and the i-ACTIVSENSE safety features, including lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, Smart Brake Support, rear camera, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC).

A standard feature for all models is the Mazda Connect infotainment system which includes Bluetooth phone pairing, audio streaming, USB ports for phone charging and entertainment connectivity and Commander control knob, as well as a 7-inch color touchscreen interface.

The crossover will be available with three trim levels (Sport, Touring and Grand Touring). Standard equipment for the Sport will include 16-inch steel wheels, premium cloth seats with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench seat, Bluetooth hands-free phone pairing and audio streaming, push-button start, AM/FM/CD player, USB input, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and door locks and keyless entry. 

The Touring model will add 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, heated exterior mirrors, mirror-mounted turn signal lamps and center armrest. 

The range-topping Grand Touring will come with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, power moonroof, leather/Lux Suede seats, LED headlights, adaptive front lighting, LED fog lights, LED daytime running lamps, navigation system, BOSE premium audio system with seven speakers, SiriusXM/HD radio, automatic climate control, Active Driving Display, paddle shifters, driver and front passenger seat heaters and rear cargo cover.

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Mazda RX-8 Blacknightz Coupe

As a student, Shawnz had limited funds and time to complete the car of his dream, but he never let go and today, he can proudly present to us his finished creation that he likes to call the Blacknightz RX-8.

After hard savings and refining the drawing board and the power mods...presenting the Decepticon to the Veilside 4509 GTR Supra.

Let's just say there have been carbon fibre parts & Lightweight FRP molded and constructed, very minimal fiber glass involved and power mods added, tuned and refined with Knight Sports (Japan) goodies, to enable it to tear up the streets!

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2013 Mazda CX-9

Mazda said that select models get LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) with a halo ring light guide around the headlamp unit.

Rounding out the exterior styling changes are the redesigned rear combination lamps, the re-sculptured rear bumper, the different exhaust trims, the newly styled 20-inch aluminum wheels, and fresh paint finishes.

The enhancements inside include different color schemes and materials for the seats and door panels, satin-silver decorative trims, white illumination for the instrument panel gauges that also get new finishes and a redesigned shift knob.

The infotainment system was also upgraded and features the latest audio, navigation and speech-recognition systems.

Finally, Mazda said it has added a raft of advanced "i-ACTIVSENSE" safety features such as Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and High Beam Control (HBC).

At least in Australia, there are no changes made to the CX-9's 3.7-liter V6 engine that continues to produce 273hp (203kW) and peak torque of 367Nm.

The North American model should make its world premiere at the LA Auto Show in November or at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January 2013.

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2014 Mazda 6 Sedan

The mid-sized sedan model rides on a 2,830mm (111.4 inches) long wheelbase that is 105mm (4.1 inches) longer than previous '6'. On the outside, the saloon measures 4,865mm (191.6 inches) long, 1,840mm (72.4 inches) wide and 1,450mm (57.1 inches) tall.

Compared to the previous model, the front wheel has been moved forward by 100mm in relation to the A-pillar resulting in reduced front overhang, while the rear deck is also shorter.

According to Mazda, the new 6 offers 20mm (0.8 inches) more shoulder room for the front passengers. At the back, there is 43mm (1.7 inches) greater knee clearance, 37mm more legroom (1.45 inches), while the length of the rear seat cushion has increased by 20mm (0.8 inches) and the seat back height by 33mm (1.3 inches). Furthermore, the rear centre arm rest has been enlarged by 60mm (2.6 inches).

The trunk, which has a 32mm wider opening than on the previous model for easier loading, has a cargo capacity of 483 liters.

According to Mazda, the new SKYACTIV-Body structure makes wider use of ultra-high tensile steel reducing weight, while at the same time improving torsional rigidity by about 30 percent

The car employs MacPherson struts up front and a rear multi-link suspension while there's also a new column-type electric power assistance. The Japanese automaker claims that the new Mazda6 will be a driver's car.

"In developing the third-generation Mazda6, we pursued Mazda’s intrinsic core value: ‘driving pleasure’," says Hiroshi Kajiyama, the new Mazda6 programme manager.

"We wanted to create a car that reacts and behaves exactly as you expect it to. Part of this involved carefully crafting those parts of the car which you often touch to feel as though they are an extension of your own body."

At least in Russia, the 2014 Mazda6 will launch with an initial choice of two new four-cylinder gasoline engines, the SKYACTIVE-G 2.0-liter that generates 148hp (150PS) at 6,000rpm and 210Nm (155 lb-ft) at 4,000rpm and the SKYACTIVE-G 2.5-liter delivering 189hp (192PS) at 5,700rpm and 256Nm (189 lb-ft) at 3,250rpm.

Both powerplants will be offered with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions and a standard i-stop idling stop system.

The 2.5-liter unit will also be the first Mazda engine to employ the brand's new i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system that begins charging a capacitor the moment the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. The electricity stored is used to power electric components throughout the car instead of the engine thus resulting in further improvements in fuel economy.

The European specification version of the Mazda6 sedan as well as the Station Wagon model will premiere at the Paris Motor Show in late September, with more details about the powertrain choices that will include a diesel engine to be announced later.

Mazda's Honda Accord and Ford Fusion / Mondeo rival will be introduced to global markets starting in late 2012.

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