The Chicago Auto Show and the Mazda MX-5 Miata have quite a history. After all, the very first Miata debuted at the 1989 Chicago show, and since then, Mazda has routinely used the Windy City expo to showcase some sort of new roadster hotness.
For 2012, we've been introduced to the MX-5 Special Edition (clever name, we know), which dons a new black power retractable hard top and gunmetal wheels, among other small updates.
Underneath the skin, Mazda has fitted its standard suspension upgrade kit, which includes Bilstein shocks, while inside you'll find black accents and heated black leather seats, along with a full kit of tech options. Pricing starts at $31,225, and only 450 will be sold in the United States. Get it while it's hot.
Continue reading 2013 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition shows off its new black hat and shoes
Behold, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition. The Japanese automaker will officially unveil the limited-production Miata under the lights of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show later today, featuring new goodies like a contrasting black retractable hard top and 17-inch gunmetal wheels.
This is the first time in the vehicle's history that the MX-5 Miata has been available with a non-matching hard top in the States. Mazda will only produce 450 units, and each one carries black leather heated seats with contrasting stitching as well as piano black trim panels indoors. Outside, buyers can choose between two exclusive colors: Velocity Red and Crystal White Pearl.
If you want one as badly as we do, Mazda will kindly ask you to hand over $31,225 for models boasting a six-speed manual transmission or $31,675 if you want the automatic (you don't). That cash will buy you a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 158 horsepower pushing a 2,593-pound vehicle and all of the niceties that come with Grand Touring trim. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Continue reading 2012 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition priced from $31,225
Mazda's attractive and fun-to-drive 2013 CX-5 goes on sale this month, and the automaker's North American arm has just announced that it will be priced from $20,695 (*not including $795 for destination). That's a higher base price than competitors like the Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester, but the CX-5 boasts some of the best driving dynamics in the segment, not to mention the best fuel economy numbers in the class.
That $20,695 price point refers, of course, to the CX-5 Sport with the (remarkably good) six-speed manual transmission. Opting for the six-speed automatic will set you back an additional $1,400, and if you want to add all-wheel drive, be prepared to dish out another $1,250. Moving up, Touring models with either front- or all-wheel drive start at $23,895 and $25,145, respectively, and are only available with the six-speed automatic gearbox. Lastly, the range-topping Grand Touring comes in at $27,045 (FWD) and $28,295 (AWD), and with the $1,325 technology package added to the GT trim, you'll be looking at $29,620 for a fully loaded CX-5.
The 2013 CX-5 uses Mazda's brand new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine, along with a host of other weight-saving technologies. We've driven the CX-5 on two different occasions, and while we're quite impressed with the steering, manual gearbox and suspension, we wish interior refinement were a bit better. Still, Mazda is positioning the CX-5 as the enthusiast's small crossover, and we're inclined to agree. Follow the jump for Mazda's official pricing release.
Continue reading 2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695*
Flashback to 1989, and you'll recall the Mazda debuted the very first Miata under the lights of the Chicago Auto Show. Because of that, Mazda has had a tendency to debut many a special edition Miata at the Chicago expo, and this year will be no different.
Limited to just 450 units here in the Untied States, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition takes the top-trim Grand Touring model a step further with a new black-only power retractable hard top - the first time a non-body colored hard top has been available - as well as new 17-inch gunmetal wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior trim. Two new exterior colors - a special white and red - will be offered, and the car can be had with either the six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Mazda makes no mention of powertrain upgrades for the MX-5 Special Edition, but the normally optional Premium and Suspension packages will come as standard equipment. This means buyers will be treated to goods like Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, Bilstein shocks and a sport-tuned suspension. Pricing and detailed specs will be released as part of next week's Chicago festivities, but for now, follow the jump for Mazda's initial press release.
Continue reading Mazda bringing special edition MX-5 Miata to Chicago
BMW M goes Diesel, Ford Focus fleet sales numbers, California 2025 green car mandate
Episode #267 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Zach and Chris Paukert this week. Topics include the addition of diesel-powered BMW M models overseas, the surprisingly high fleet sales figure for the Ford Focus, and a new green car mandate coming out of California. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #267:
BMW M goes diesel
Ford Focus loads up on fleet sales
California pushing for more green cars by 2025
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2012 Audi A4
2012 Dodge Durango Citadel
Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:15:33
Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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All of the auto industry's big-time players are making large three-row crossovers these days, so the segment has become extremely competitive. With stalwarts like the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer at the top of the sales charts, how does a smaller automaker like Mazda compete? Two oft-repeated words: Zoom-Zoom.
The Mazda CX-9 checks the same boxes as its competition: a beefy V6 engine, seating for up to seven, available all-wheel drive and a bevy of technology options. Those features are all part of the price of admission, but to make headway in this crowded field, that's not enough to cut it. On the market since 2007, we wanted to find out the 4,546-pound CX-9 still has the engineering mojo to dance to the head of the pack, so we grabbed the keys to a loaded Grand Touring AWD and headed for the floor.
Continue reading 2012 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD [w/video]
Mazda is recalling has issued a recall of the 2001- and 2002-model-year Mazda Tribute crossover for a possible brake fluid leak. It's been found that fluid leaking from the reservoir cap on the master cylinder might come into contact with the ABS wiring harness connector, leading to potential corrosion and/or fire.
We've been waiting on this action for the better part of a month, as its mechanical twin, the Ford Escape, was the subject of a similar NHTSA recall announced on January 11. The Blue Oval recall covered some 244,000 units for the same problem.
There are 52,390 Tributes affected in total, and Mazda is taking the unusual step of advising that if you have one, you should park it outside until a dealer has made the necessary repairs. You can find a release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the matter after the jump.
Continue reading Mazda recalls over 52,000 Tribute crossovers, warns owners to park outside
Mazda has released the official EPA fuel economy figures for its 2013 CX-5, and as anticipated, the new compact crossover has achieved an all-important best-in-class designation. The front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual-equipped CX-5 is rated at 26 miles per gallon city and 35 mpg, thanks to Mazda's efficient Skyactiv direct-injection 2.0-liter inline-four. In fact, Mazda claims the CX-5 actually gets the best fuel economy rating of any SUV (read: crossover) sold in America, full stop.
CX-5 models equipped with front-wheel drive and Mazda's new Skyactiv six-speed automatic transmission are good for 26/32 miles per gallon city/highway. And while those highway numbers match up with the four-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox, the Mazda's 26 mpg city rating bests the Chevy by a whopping four mpg. All-wheel-drive CX-5s are rated at 25/31 mpg city/highway. Follow the jump for Mazda's official release.
As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it's time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we're not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a few vehicles that we're truly going to miss.
The Mazda RX-8, for example, has grown to be one of our favorite sports cars since its introduction in 2003. We love its lightweight construction, high-revving rotary engine and surprisingly functional suicide door design. It's kind of like a Miata with a roof and rear seats. Speaking of the Miata, Tesla's two-seat Roadster - the automaker's first production vehicle - proved to us that open-top motoring can be thrilling even with a stack of batteries driving the wheels.
We'll miss the Honda Element and its rugged, utilitarian nature. We'll miss the Volvo V50 and its capacious cargo area made for Ikea runs. And we'll really miss those large lords of luxury, the Cadillac DTS and Ford Crown Victoria. We've already said goodbye to the faithful but overripe Ford Ranger, and as ridiculous as the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was, it was a shockingly good-to-drive electrified crossover.
There are plenty more models that won't be making the journey to the 2012 model year, so have a look at the full list in our attached image gallery, then let us know which ones you'll miss (if any) in the Comments.
While the Tokyo Motor Show is a stage for the world's manufacturers to strut their production models, the Tokyo Auto Salon allows designers and engineers to stretch their legs with custom hardware. This year, Mazda is bringing 10 special models to the Tokyo Auto Salon, including a custom version of the recently-released CX-5.
The custom CX-5 wears special paint, a lowered ride height and unique wheels for a significantly sportier appearance. Likewise, the company's Demio also receives a little attention, and visitors to the show can expect to see the Demio 13 Skyactiv Smart Stylish bow alongside the CX-5. The pint-sized hatch makes use of a few aero treatments including a front underspoiler, side skirts and rear underskirt.
The new Axela Skyactiv will also be on display, complete with a body kit of its own, along with a sharp-looking set of wheels. Visitors can take a closer look at a pair of custom Roadster models as well, including the Black Tuned version and a racing-spec version called the Jimba-Ittai, or Rider and Horse as one. We like the sound of that. Hit the jump to read the full press release.
Continue reading Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars
