Mazda
Ranger-based Mazda BT-50 revealed early
Just like the 2011 Ford Ranger, the Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck has been prematurely revealed as well. The BT-50 is also a global model for the Japanese brand and it is based on the new Ranger, with different styling.
Compared to the Ranger, the BT-50 which may be called the Fighter in certain market is treated to a more organic design. Not as hardcore as the Ranger I must admit but that may not necessarily be a bad thing for some.
We don’t have any specifics in regard to the powertrain and other features but you can safely expect engines, transmissions and features carried over from the Ranger. The BT-50 will also not find its way into the US and Canada. More information will be released soon, meanwhile continue reading to view two more images. Read the rest of this entry.
Mazda teases the BT-50 / Fighter’s interior
Mazda has recently announced that it will present the new BT-50 or Fighter pick-up at the upcoming Australian Motor Show. Along with the announcement the company also released a sketch depicting the pick-up’s exterior looks. This time around Mazda has shed more information about the new model, with an image that teases the interior.
What we can see is an LCD display screen that is part of the a symmetrical dashboard as well as a centre console and sections of the door cards that are finished with silver plastics. There also seems to be an automatic climate control system.
Mazda previously revealed that the new BT-50 was developed from the ground up, as a brand new type of vehicle. The global pick-up which is being called an “active lifestyle vehicle” will be officially revealed on October 15th. Continue reading to view a high-res version of the image above. Read the rest of this entry.
Mazda to premiere BT-50 / Fighter pickup in Australia
Mazda has announced that it will unveil the all new BT-50 compact pick-up at the Australian Motor Show on October 15th. The truck which is being dubbed as an “active lifestyle vehicle” is a global vehicle and it will be sold in Europe as well. According to Mazda, the BT-50 which is also known as the Mazda Fighter in certain markets was developed from the ground up as ‘brand new” type of vehicle. Continue reading to view a high-res image of the sketch above. More information will be released next month, stay tuned! Read the rest of this entry.
The Shinari Concept – previews Mazda’s new design language
This is the Mazda Shinari concept car that was shown at a private media event in Milan. As you can see it is a sleek and sexy 4-door coupe which gains my thumbs up. It is a gorgeous looking concept with an ultra-futuristic interior. This concept signals a production 4-dour coupe by Mazda although the company did not confirm this. Some are also saying that the concept may underline the next generation Mazda6.
However the company did say that it plans to take on BMW and Audi and revealed that it aims to offer the same levels of quality in terms of fit and finishing. The company also confirmed a new design language that debuts with the Shinari concept. It is called the ‘Kodo’ styling paradigm and it is set to replace Mazda’s current styling, called the ‘Nagare’.
The word ‘Kodo’ stands for “soul of motion” and Mazda said that “this design will lead to the next generation of Mazda design and will lead to other elements” without confirming a more solid timeline. You can continue reading to view an image gallery of the concept. Read the rest of this entry.
Mazda to debut facelifted Mazda2 and updated Mazda3 and 5 in Paris
Mazda has officially announced that it will present the facelifted Mazda2 along with the updated Mazda3 and Mazda5 models at next month’s Paris Motor Show. The Mazda2 has been facelifted with a new front fascia which brings it up-to-date with the company’s current design language. The interior has been improved as well.
The revised Mazda2 also sports an automatic transmission for the European market and the suspension has been retuned to offer a more comfortable ride. As for the Mazda3 and Mazda5 models, they will benefit from a new 1.6 liter MZ-CD diesel engine that makes 115 PS, in the Mazda5 that is.
The company did not specify if the Mazda3 will offer the same power output. Mazda said that the engine is Euro 5-compliant and can offer a fuel economy figure of 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers in the Mazda5. Fuel economy for the Mazda3 on the other hand is figured at 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers. The engine is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission in both models.
Continue reading to view a high-res version of the image above. Read the rest of this entry.
Mazda gives the Premacy/Mazda5 all wheel drive
Mazda has officially announced an all wheel drive option for the Premacy MPV, which is also known as the Mazda5 in certain markets including ours. One would be able to select between all wheel drive and two wheel drive with a push of a button. The AWD option is available in Japan in the 20E and 20S trim levels. Both the trim levels are offered with a 150PS/191Nm of torque 2.0 liter DOHC 4-potter gasoline engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Prices for the all wheel drive Mazda5 start at 2,109,000 yen and tops out at 2,314,000 yen.
The latest iteration of the 7-seater MPV is treated to Mazda’s Nagare Flow design language and it was the first Mazda to carry it. The most significant feature of the exterior design is the side profile with no less than four distinctive design lines. We have yet to receive the new Mazda5 as it was just recently launched at 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Mazda5 is also available with a 1.8 liter engine producing 115 PS and 165Nm of torque.
Upgraded Mazda6 now on sale in the UK
Mazda UK has officially launched the refreshed Mazda6 range with a total of 19 variants including 12 hatchbacks and 7 estate models. There are also 3 gasoline and 3 diesel engines to choose from. The updated Mazda6 now has a new front end while its engines, suspension and steering systems have been retuned as well.
The petrol family starts without the 1.8 liter which produces 120 PS and 165Nm of torque. This is followed by a 155 PS 2.0 liter with 193Nm of torque and the range tops out with a 170 PS 2.5 with 226Nm of pulling power.
All three diesel engines belong to the 2.2 liter turbo diesel family. The basic unit makes 129 PS with 340Nm of torque. There is also a 163 PS and 360Nm torque version and lastly the most powerfull engine through out the range of the Mazda6 in the UK is the 180 PS version. This powerplant cranks out a good 400Nm of torque as well. Buyers can choose between two manual transmissions such as the 5-speed and the 6-speed along with a 5-speed automatic.
There are four trim levels to choose from including the S, TS, TS2 as well as the Sport. The Mazda6 now comes with ‘smart’ turn signals, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), a rear spoiler (TS and above), front & rear parking sensors and Hill Hold Assist (TS2 and above) as well as swivel‑type AFS front lights for the top-of-the-line Sport. Prices start from £16,995 and tops out at £23,445 (OTR).
An image gallery can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
