With less than two weeks before the Mazda Skyactiv Prototype makes its race debut at the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona

With less than two weeks before the Mazda Skyactiv Prototype makes its race debut at the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Japanese Zoom-Zoom brand brought its diesel-powered racer to the floor of the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

The red prototype marks Mazda’s return to prototype racing, and will campaign the inaugural Tudor United SportsCar Championship using a 2.2-liter, SkyActiv-D diesel engine. With 451 horsepower on tap and 580 pound-feet of torque, the racer should stand up well against a field of gas-powered competitors.

Should the Skyactiv win Daytona, it’ll be a coup for Mazda. The racer is running an engine with over 50 percent of its parts drawn from the oft-delayed production Skyactiv-D. Head up top for our full gallery of images of the new Skyactiv Prototype. The 2014 Rolex 24 will be run from January 25 to 26.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/17/2014-mazda-skyactiv-prototype-detroit-2014/

Top 10: Things Every Man Must Know About Cars

For all of our men subscribers out there, this blog post is especially for you. Tanner Foust sat down with AskMen.com and discussed what everyone man should know about cars. He is definitely someone who knows what they’re talking about when it comes to cars. Foust is not only a professional racer, stunt driver and TV host. He also holds multiple awards, championships and world records in his profession. Check out the top 10 list and the link below to read what Foust considers essential things every man should know by now.

10.  Don’t knock the Ford Fiesta

9. Getaway drivers learn advanced driving techniques

8. Care about your appearance

7. Disregard No. 8 if you drive a truck

6. Maintain your balance

5. Stay calm while driving

4. Know your car’s capabilities

3. Figure out how to turn your traction control off

2. Learn how to do basic maneuvers

1. Get handy with the tools

Content Credit to askmen.com – Visit the link below for more on this blog post.

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The Miata’s interpretation of Kodo design

 By Jonathon RamseyRSS feed

Posted Jan 17th 2014 3:45PM

Twenty-six years after it was introduced at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, the much anticipated fourth generation Mazda MX-5 Miata will meet the press at the 2015 Chicago show. A piece in Autocar refines some of the details on the larger, lighter Miata that a Mazda insider has said will be “our best-looking car ever.”

The company has relented on the quest for the metric tonne, the 1000-kilogram (2,200-pound) target too difficult to achieve in light of cost constraints. You can still expect it to lose a generous dollop of weight – Autocar says a curb weight of 1,100 kg (2,420 pounds) will still make it the lightest in its class. And Mazda will be stressing a fun driving experience through light weight and a modest amount of naturally-aspirated horsepower. Engine capacities of 1.5 and 2.0 liters are expected. Sounds familiar (and good), right?

The Miata’s interpretation of Kodo design will veer from that found on the Mazda3 and Mazda6, with “very clean and simple” lines marking out “more muscular proportions” and elongated bodywork on a longer wheelbase. A stretched engine bay will make room for the current Skyactiv engine and perhaps the future Skyactiv 2 powerplants, initial reports suggesting there could be a 30-percent increase in fuel economy from the moment it arrives.

Two flavors of top-down operation will continue, those being the soft- and folding hardtop. That next iteration of the hardtop will reportedly lose weight and take up less space, making for a bigger bit of space in the trunk. The next Miata will go on sale in 2015, supposedly joined at some point by the Alfa Romeo brother it will share a platform with.

MAZDA AND MODSPACE THE PARTNERSHIP THAT KEEPS BUILDING

MAZDA AND MODSPACE – THE PARTNERSHIP THAT KEEPS BUILDING

Mazda Motorsports Enters Fourth Year of Partnership with ModSpace

Jan 23, 2014

CJ Wilson and ModSpace Mazda MX-5

January 23, 2014 (IRVINE, Calif.) — Mazda Motorsports spends a lot of time with young drivers talking about how to build business partnerships to advance their careers.  The partnership that Mazda enjoys with ModSpace has been building on both a figurative and a literal standpoint since 2010.  Mazda is happy to announce that partnership will continue in 2014.

ModSpace is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and temporary or permanent space solutions. ModSpace also has a dedicated Sports & Entertainment Division that offers a full line of modular facilities and amenities specifically for this market sector. 

Quotes:

John Doonan, Director of motorsports for Mazda North American Operations:  “Having partners like ModSpace, who are hands-on in their involvement, is amazing.  They have amazing products that fit many business applications, including our use at racetracks across the county, and at some of our Mazda dealers like CJ Wilson Mazda.  The overlaps of the partnership are serving the needs of many while working within the tight budgets that everyone needs today.”

C.J. Wilson, owner CJ Wilson Mazda and CJ Wilson Racing: “Having Mazda and ModSpace together has been great for my team and my dealership.  Not only have we been able to up our game at the race track together but ModSpace has helped us increase our capacity via constructing a permanent storage building on our dealer lot.  ModSpace Motorsports and Mazdaspeed are a huge part of our team!”

William Mann, Vice President of Motorsports: “ModSpace doesn’t just want branding on a racecar.  Our intent is to use our motorsports program as a business tool to entertain our customers and partners.  We look forward to providing experiences for our customers that build long term relationships and thanks to Mazda Motorsports we have an exciting way to showcase our products and services in a unique manner.”

About Mazda, Mazda Motorsports, and MAZDASPEED

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America among both club racers and professionals.  Thousands of Mazda-powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built.  In 2006 Mazda Motorsports established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks.  In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy.  Key to Mazda’s success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Mazda Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
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Ten Important Questions To Ask When Buying A New Car

I’m sure we can all agree that buying a new car it is one of the biggest financial decisions one can make. We know it can become a stressful and remarkably confusing process at times. We want to help make it easier on you.

Next time you are out shopping for your dream car, these are the questions you need to ask.  

10.) What is the term (length) of the loan and what is my interest rate?

9.) Has the car been used as a demo?

8.) Where is the nearest dealer / authorized repair center to my house?

7.) What “mandatory” fees will I have to pay?

6.) Does this car make me happy?

5.) “Is that the best you can do?”

4.) Can I have a test drive?

3.) Has the car been damaged?

2.) What’s the warranty coverage? Are there any perks like free maintenance?

1.) How much is the car after fees and licensing?

Content Credit to jalopnik.com.

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Dealers think Mazda’s new Mexico plant will increase Mazda3 sales by 20%

Mazda3 sales in the US were down about 15 percent last year to a total of 104,713 units. According to a report from Automotive News, though, the slowdown in sales has been due more to production constraints than demand.

Good news for Mazda dealers, then, that a new plant in Salamanca, Mexico has just come online. Tom Carey, chairman of Mazda’s national dealer council, told AN, “We’re going to be in good shape because of that Mexico inventory.” If estimates prove accurate, sales of the Mazda3 will increase by about 20 percent when the new plant begins production this month.

If those lofty projections come to pass, Mazda will reportedly be on track to exceed 300,000 total sales in the US in 2014, which would represent the brand’s highest figures since its 375,000-unit peak in 1994. The brand hopes to sell more than 400,000 vehicles in the US by 2016, and with well-received products like the latest 3 and Mazda6 sedan, such expectations seem quite possible.

Dealers think Mazda’s new Mexico plant will increase Mazda3 sales by 20% originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda MX-5 Miata Celebrates its 25th Birthday

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is celebrating its 25th birthday, having made its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show.

In 25 years, the Japanese automaker’s sports car has gathered up over 200 awards and has seen over 920,000 units sold worldwide – one of which belongs to AutoGuide‘s own, Mike Schlee. As of December 2013, the Miata made it into the Guinness Book of Worlds Records as the “Best-Selling Two-Seater Sports Car.”

To celebrate the model’s 25th birthday, the brand is kicking off a social media party, asking those to wish the Miata a happy birthday by using the hashtag #MX5Turns25.

The Mazda Miata launched in May 1989 with a starting price of $13,800 and featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 116 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque. The second-generation Miata debuted in 1998 as a 1999 model year with a 1.8-liter sporting 140 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque. In 2005, the third-generation Miata entered the market with a 2.0-liter with 170 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque.

The fourth-generation Miata is expected to make its debut at next year’s Chicago Auto Show.

“The MX-5 Miata has hit a number of milestones over the years and we’re honored to say that 25 years later it’s as much a global success and favorite among enthusiasts as it was on day one,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “At the Chicago Auto Show in 1989, MX-5 Miata set the bar for sports car performance and driving pleasure. Here we are on its 25th birthday still looking up at that bar.”

Courtesy of: Auto Guide

Mazda Kicks Off 2014 Season at Rolex 24

 Mazda Kicks Off 2014 Season at Rolex 24

Mazda SKYACTIV Prototype Begins New TUDOR Championship Era

Jan 21, 2014

January 21, 2014 (IRVINE, Calif.) — Mazda Motorsports is known for several things – sports cars, endurance racing, and taking the engineering path less traveled.  This coming weekend, Mazda Motorsports will begin a new era of professional sports car racing when its latest SKYACTIV-powered Mazda Prototype takes the green flag at the first ever TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race. 

The season opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, is one that Mazda knows well, having scored 23 class wins in the endurance classic since 1975.  The challenges for 2014 will be bigger than in any past season as Mazda will be competing for the overall win against some of the world’s best racers, teams and manufacturers.   

The quote:  “Mazda is thrilled to once again be coming to a new series in our own unique manner.  Our SKYACTIV Technology is a perfect match for racing as the mindset is the same – every single component and system can be optimized for increased performance and efficiency for both the street and the track.  By using a production Mazda SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine we are charting our own course.  The work is compounded by the fact that our team is having to invent new ways of doing things as there are no racing components on the shelf that fit our engine.  All of this just means the rewards will be that much sweeter for all of us and the many partners who have helped us get here when we achieve success,” noted John Doonan, director of motorsports for Mazda North American Operations.  

The car:  Mazda Motorsports, working in conjunction with SpeedSource Race Engineering and Multimatic Engineering have built two all-new prototype cars.  The car will be known as the “Mazda Prototype.”

The powertrain:  The engine powering the all-new Mazda Prototype is the latest evolution of the Mazda SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel that Mazda used to win nine races and the 2013 Grand-Am GX Manufacturers Championship.  While the engine itself is almost identical to that used in the Mazda6 last year, everything from the flywheel to the wheels is all new.  Managing almost 800 Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque will be the biggest technical challenge for the team.  Over the course of the 2013 season, the team broke more than a dozen racing driveline components, but no stock Mazda parts!

The team:  SpeedSource Race Engineering, from Coral Springs, Florida, remains the lead race team within Mazda Motorsports.  Led by Sylvain Tremblay, the SpeedSource team has an amazing depth of technical talent.  The SpeedSource team is working with Mazda engineers from both Mazda North American Operations in Irvine, California, and Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan.

The partners:  Mazda is pleased to be working with Castrol, Dynamic Fuels, Motegi Racing Wheels, Sparco, Modspace, Autonet Mobile, Garrett Motorsports, Bosch Motorsport, Xtrac, Mahle, Carillo, Pankl, and AP.

The drivers:  With Mazda being the leader in grassroots motorsports and having successful drivers at every rung of the ladder, Mazda has a philosophy of promoting from within.  The same four drivers who developed the 2013 Championship winning Mazda6 are now developing the Mazda Prototype.

Sylvain Tremblay – Sylvain wears multiple hats, and helmets, within the team.  Sylvain is the SpeedSource team owner and driver of the #70.  He is also hands-on in the design and development of the car.  He is a two-time Rolex 24 GT class winner with his SpeedSource RX-8 in 2008 and 2010.  Sylvain can also conduct his interviews fluently in both English and French having been born and raised in Quebec, Canada.

Tom Long – A Spec Miata success story, Tom has been winning races in Mazdas for a decade now, most recently in both the Grand-Am GX class with SpeedSource and in the Continental Tire Challenge in his Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5. Tom understands the business of the sport having graduated from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in 2004 with a degree in business marketing.

Joel Miller – Joel was on a path to the Indy 500 when he switched to sports cars.  A former Skip Barber National Champion, Joel was one of the first racers to earn a Mazda scholarship.  After several years in Star Mazda and Indy Lights, Joel made the move to sports cars and was the 2013 Grand-Am Rookie of the Year scoring five wins in the SpeedSource #00 Mazda6.  A recent graduate of UC Riverside in Mechanical Engineering, Joel is also an engineer at SpeedSource during the week.

Tristan Nunez – Tristan is the “kid” on the team, and continues to earn “youngest ever” mentions, including youngest ever professional sports car champion when he won the 2012 Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship Powered by Mazda at age 17.  Tristan co-drove to four wins in the SpeedSource #00 Mazda6 in 2013.  Away from the track Tristan is one of the leading racing voices raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

For Daytona, they will be joined by Indycar racers James Hinchcliffe and Tristan Vautier.  Both are Mazda Motorsports alums.  Hinchcliffe raced a Mazda-powered Atlantic car in 2006 and 2007.  Vautier was the 2011 Star Mazda Champion on his way up to Indycars.

The #70 Mazda SKYACTIV Prototype will be driven by Sylvain Tremblay, Tom Long and James Hinchecliffe while the #07 will be shared by Joel Miller, Tristan Nunez, and Tristan Vautier.

 

There’s more than just racing within Mazda:  Mazda dealerships from coast-to-coast have been doing community service related to the Mazda Drive4Good campaign.  Mazda racers have been doing their part as well with RACE and Project Yellow Light.

R.A.C.E. – Last week Mazda introduced a new national educational outreach program designed to encourage the nation’s middle and high school students to consider studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  Called Racing Accelerates Creative Education (R.A.C.E.), the program will visit schools near each of the 2014 TUDOR Championship events.  The curriculum of this turn-key, interactive learning forum is designed to provide stimulating, real-world examples of why it is important to know science and math.  Mazda utilizes their racecar and race engineers in the interactive presentation. 

Project Yellow Light – For the second consecutive year, Mazda Motorsports is promoting awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.  Scholarships are being awarded to high school and college students who produce the best public service videos.  Details can be found at http://www.projectyellowlight.com/

2014 Mazda Prototype Specifications

As part of its challenger frame of mind, Mazda is the only car company racing in the TUDOR Championship with a diesel engine.  The SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel race engine is a true production-based engine and a carry-over from the development work done with the championship winning Mazda6 GX-class racing cars.  The engine is 51 percent stock by parts count, and 63 percent stock by weight.  Mazda chose this path as it is the most honest way to demonstrate the performance, quality, durability and reliability of Mazda powerplants.

 

Engine Displacement:                   2,191 cc (133.7 in3)

Bore x Stroke:                               86.0 mm x 94.3 mm (3.39 in x 3.71 in)

Engine Weight:                              143 kg (315 lbs)

Horsepower:                                 336 kW (450 bhp)

Torque:                                          786 Nm (580 lb-ft)

Max. Engine Speed:                     5,200 rpm

Engine Block:                                Production Mazda SKYACTIV (Aluminum)

Camshaft:                                     Dual Overhead

Valves:                                          Four Valves Per Cylinder

Cylinder Head:                              Production Mazda SKYACTIV (Aluminum)

Valve Train Components:             Production Mazda SKYACTIV

Pistons:                                         Mahle (Steel)

Connecting Rods:                         Carillo Forged Alloy (Steel)

Crankshaft:                                   Pankl Alloy (Steel)

ECU:                                             Bosch Motorsport MS 15.2

Intake Manifold:                            SpeedSource Race Engineering

Exhaust Manifold:                         SpeedSource Race Engineering

Turbo and Wastegate:                  Garrett Motorsports, air-to-air Intercooler, Tial wastegate

Fuel Injectors and Pump:              Bosch Motorsport

Fuel Rail:                                       Bosch Motorsport

Oiling System:                              SpeedSource Race Engineering

Cooling System:                           SpeedSource Race Engineering

Transmission:                                Xtrac 6-speed sequential with paddle shifters

Chassis:                                        Carbon-fiber monocoque coupe

Weight:                                          900 kgs (1984 lbs) – Without driver or fuel

Length:                                          4,634 mm (182.4 in)

Width:                                            1,990 mm (78.3 in)

Wheelbase:                                   2,890 mm (113.8 in)

Top speed:                                   Approximately 300 kph (186 mph) — in Daytona aero trim

Brakes:                                          AP carbon drilled discs

Suspension:                                 Independent double A-arms

Tires:                                             Continental Extreme Contact

                                                      Front:  320/650/R18

                                                      Rear:  325/710/R18

Wheels:                                         Motegi EVO 14 Technomesh, Forged Aluminum

Fuel:                                              Dynamic Fuels Renewable Diesel

Fuel Capacity:                               70 liters (18.5 gallons)

 

 

About Mazda, Mazda Motorsports, and MAZDASPEED

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America among both club racers and professionals.  Thousands of Mazda-powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built.  In 2006 Mazda Motorsports established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks.  In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy.  Key to Mazda’s success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Mazda Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
http://stage2.mediaroom.com/mazdausa/index.php?s=31626&item=125834

Rinspeed XchangE Concept teased for Geneva

It wouldn’t be a Geneva Auto Show without an avant-garde one-off from the well-known Swiss “idea factory,” Rinspeed. This year at the annual gathering in March, the firm’s boss, Frank Rinderknecht, will unveil his latest effort in the form of an autonomous electric-powered touring sedan, the Rinspeed XchangE Concept. The 4-passenger, 4-door fastback will allow all on board to work in a fully connected environment or simply relax and enjoy the ride. 

2014 Detroit Auto Show: The New Cars

While details are few, Rinderknecht notes that the car’s unique interior configuration features front seats reminiscent of those found in the business class section of airliners. The Rinspeed XchangE Concept also will incorporate “a completely new operating and display concept with a host of innovative entertainment, safety and service functions.” Part of the control rethink involves activating the vehicle’s fully steer-by-wire system via a repositionable steering wheel and gauge cluster that can be parked in the center of the streamlined dash until it’s needed. 

http://rss.kbb.com/~r/kbb-car-news/~3/AZvdj76PHk4/

Happy Valentines day to all of our Mazda lovers. zoom zoom <3

 Happy Valentines day to all of our Mazda lovers. zoom zoom ❤