Mazda officially unveiled the fourth generation MX-5 (ND) on September 4, 2014 in the United States, Spain, and Japan. [2] The new MX-5 was then presented in October 2014 at the Paris Motor Show, and in November 2014 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The car will be manufactured in Mazda’s Hiroshima plant. Planned release is Q3 2015.
The fourth generation MX-5 will be 105 mm (4.1 in) shorter and 100 kg (220 lb) lighter than its third generation predecessor, putting the vehicle's estimated curb weight somewhere around just 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The car will be based on the Mazda SKYACTIV technology. There will be 2 direct-injection petrol engines without turbo-chargers. The base model will have a 1.5 L 130 bhp engine, and the North American (USA & Canada) version will have a 2.0 L 160 bhp engine. A manual shift transmission as well as an automatic transmission will be offered, both with 6 gears. The cockpit, steering wheel, and infotainment system are very similar to the 2014 Mazda3. The fabric roof is manually operated and opens/closes in a few seconds. [52]
A co-operation with Alfa Romeo on a joint rear-wheel drive platform was announced in 2012, but cancelled in 2014. FCA may announce a Fiat Abarth based on the Mazda ND platform in 2015. [53]
Production numbers and details
In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records declared the MX-5 the best-selling two-seat sports car in history, with total production of 531,890 units.[54] The 250,000th MX-5 rolled out of the factory on November 9, 1992; the 500,000th, on February 8, 1999; the 750,000th, in March 2004; the 800,000th in January 2007, and 900,000th in February 2011. [55] As of July 2014, total production of MX-5 reached 940,000 units.[2]
Mazda also reapplied to Guinness World Records to have the record updated to 900,000 units.[1]
The third generation Mazda6 was unveiled during Moscow International Motor Show in late August 2012. In this generation, there are only 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon versions available.[28]
The Wagon is no longer offered in the North American market due to low demand for wagon models. Mazda is not alone in pulling their wagon variants from the North American market, as Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz have removed at least some or all of their wagon models from their North American lineup.
Its design has been extremely well-received, and was a finalist in the "2013 World Design Of The Year".
Asia
The Japanese models Mazda Atenza went on sale from 2012-11-01. Early models include 20S (sedan/wagon), 25S (sedan/wagon), XD (sedan/wagon), XD L-package (sedan/wagon).[29]
For 2014, the changes include SCBS (smart sudden brake support) become standard for the Atenza 20S and XD, increased efficiency for SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine models to 16.0 km/L (JC08 mode), new slide glass sunroof option for SKYACTIV-D 2.2 engine models, addition of XD L-package (6-speed manual transmission, leather seats), Bose 11-speaker sound system with Centerpoint 2 surround sound become standard in XD L-package models, addition of deep crystal blue mica body colour to total of 7 body colour options.
In China, the third generation is sold under the Atenza nameplate, to differentiate it from the first generation Mazda6, which is still being produced in China.[30]
2014 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts (2014)
Atenza Sedan design concept 2014 is a version of Mazda Atenza Sedan with SKYACTIV-D engine, SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed transmission, original aero parts, BREMBO brake caliper, Soul red body colour, roof, aluminium wheel, aero parts; semi-bucket seat, Alcantara interior upholstery.
Atenza Wagon design concept 2014 is a version of Mazda Atenza Wagon with SKYACTIV-D engine, SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed transmission, metal decoration at instrument panel, dashboard with leather upholstery and stitching, metal decoration at trunk board.
The vehicles were unveiled in 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon.[31]
Australia
In Australia, the Mazda6 is sold with a 2.5l SkyActiv-G petrol or 2.2l SkyActiv-D twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, offering 138 kW/250Nm and 129 kW/420Nm respectively. The 5-door hatchback version of the first and second generation models is no longer available, in favour of sedan (in Sport, Touring, GT and Atenza trim) and wagon (Sport, Touring, GT and Atenza trim[32]). The only available transmission is Mazda's 6-speed SkyActiv automatic. Notably, Mazda's SkyActiv technologies have reduced the petrol model's fuel consumption from an official figure of 8.9L/100 km (5-speed auto) for the previous generation to 6.6L/100 km, a 25% improvement. The diesel's fuel economy gain was less marked, from 5.9L/100 km for the previous manual transmission-only diesel model to 5.4L/100 km for the new automatic-only offering.
North America
The vehicle was unveiled at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.
North American SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine models of was set to go on sale in January 2013 as 2014 model year vehicle, followed by SKYACTIV-D engine models in second half of 2013. However the introduction of the diesel variant of Mazda6 to the U.S. market was delayed from the second half of 2013 to spring 2014 due to emission issue.[33] In early 2014, it is reported that the introduction of the diesel engine has been delayed again.[34] The engine is already available on both the Asian and European models of the third generation Mazda6. The North American models are no longer offered with a V6 engine.
The 2.5 L produces 184 hp and has an EPA rating of 38 mpg (US) highway (with the 6-speed automatic). After numerous delays, the 2.2 liter diesel will most likely be offered sometime in the first half of 2015, but final details regarding the engine have not been released [35]
In the United States, the Mazda6 is available in three models: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring, and is offered only as a four-door sedan. While all three models offer their own distinct features, all of the models offer these features as standard equipment:
The Sport and Touring models are offered with the choice of either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, while the top-of-the-line Grand Touring is only offered with a 6-speed automatic. In Canada, GX, GS and GT trim levels are offered and all have a 6-speed manual transmission standard.[36]
The 2014 Mazda6 won a Motor Trend comparison against the 2013 Honda Accord Sport and 2013 Toyota Camry SE.[37] The 2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring also won in a comparison against the 2013 Honda Accord EX-L in the June 2013 issue of Car and Driver.[38]
The 2014 vehicle was unveiled in 2013 Toronto Auto Show (2014 Mazda6 Skyactiv-D Clean Diesel).[39]
Production of all North American models was transferred to Hiroshima, Japan, due to ongoing efforts to increase global manufacturing efficiencies.[40]
Motorsport
Mazda6 SkyActiv-D race car
In 2013, Mazda entered the new GX class of the Rolex 24 series with cars powered by its diesel Skyactiv-D engine.[41][42] During the first race in January 2013, all three cars had to retire in the first few hours due to engine failure.[43]
The Mazda6 is also presently used as a racing vehicle for the GTS class at SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge. Mazda finished first in the manufacturer's championship standings.[44] Mazda6 drivers also finished first and second in the Touring Car driver points.
Grand Am GX MAZDA6 SKYACTIV-D Racing (2013-PRESENT)
It is a race car version of Mazda6 for the GX class of Grand Am series, with 2.2L SKYACTIV-D engine.
The vehicle was unveiled at 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon (race champion model).[31]
Reports of a new generation of the Mazda Demio emerged in 2013[46][47] for a 2014 launch, with some manufacturing at the new Mazda plant in Mexico.[45][48] The Mazda Hazumi Concept model (designed to preview the future Mazda 2 models) was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show[49], and in April 2014 the development mule of the new generation Demio was undergoing testing in Germany, covered in camouflage.[50][51][52]
Initial release
In July 2014, Mazda officially revealed photos of the new Demio hatchback,[53] and production began at Mazda's Hōfu plant.[54] The sedan version debuted at the Thailand International Motor Expo in November 2014.[55]
This version is built using a variation of Mazda's CX-5 platform, rather than Ford's DE platform used on the Ford Fiesta.[56] It is longer than it was previously, with wider track front and rear, but has less interior room for rear-seat occupants and less front head and legroom.[57]
In October 2014, the Demio was awarded the 2014-2015 "Car of the Year" by the Japan Car of the Year Committee.[2]
Engines and Transmission
The Mazda2 will use Mazda's SKYACTIV-Drive automatic and SKYACTIV-MT manual gearboxes.,[58] as well as stop-start technology ("i-STOP" turns the engine off when the car is stationary) and a brake energy regeneration system ("i-ELOOP" uses braking to charge a capacitor for all car electronics, in place of an alternator charging a battery).[58]
The Mazda2 will initially be offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine - the SkyActiv-D 1.5 diesel engine debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.[49] The petrol engine will be available with 74bhp, 89bhp or 113bhp, while the diesel will produce 104bhp.
Carbuyer.co.uk says that Mazda states the petrol engine will return 63mpg with emissions of 105g/km[58], Motoring.com.au says it will return 43mpg (5.5L/100km).[59] Carbuyer says that the diesel engine is capable of 83mpg with CO2 emissions of 89g/km.
Potential Electric version with Wankel Range Extender
Motoring magazine in Australia[59] stated that Mazda was almost certain to produce a plug-in hybrid version of the new Mazda2. It implied a statement by Mazda Australia Managing Director Martin Benders, but may instead have been an assumption based on the recent prototype (a rotary-powered range-extender technology was recently trialled in the outgoing Mazda2). The article said that it would not be revealed at the new Mazda2's global launch.
The Electric Vehicle would be a series hybrid, or "Extended Range Electric Vehicle" (EREV), meaning that the electric motor would drive the car, and a generator would only charge the battery. The 1280 kg car would have a 200 kg, 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack, powering a 75 kW/150Nm electric motor.
The prototype range extender had incorporated a 28 kW rotary engine generator, a lightweight (100 kg) downsized (330cc) single-rotor Wankel engine. It would be mounted on its side under the rear of the vehicle via three mounting points (eliminating vertical vibration), and in the prototype testing showed the rotary engine was over 5dBa quieter at the same revs than an equivalent petrol or diesel piston engine.
A nine-litre fuel tank that can be filled with petrol, butane or propane would almost double the EV range (to 380 km). Range extended EVs in Japan and many US states can not receive incentives if they use a tank size which would provide more than double the EV-only range.
