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Mazda brings slick sports-car concept to Tokyo

Mazda teased a slick spots-car concept Wednesday that will debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The as-yet unnamed concept promises to blend elements from the company's heritage with a sleek and modern shape. It apparently takes the form of a front-engine, two-door coupe – always a favorite configuration – with a sloping roofline and classic hood-to-greenhouse ratio. It'll be displayed alongside the Koeru concept (which returns home for its Japanese debut), a handful of MX-5 Miatas, and a classic 1967 Cosmo Sport 110S – the marque's original, rotary-powered sports car. We have a good feeling that it's the latter from which the new concept principally draws its inspiration, albeit with different dimensions than the long-tailed original - and hopefully a little RX-7 thrown in for good measure. We'll have to hold on a while longer to find out, but we're looking forward to seeing the finished product. Mazda to Unveil New Sports Car Concept at Tokyo Motor Show -- Japan-debut of Mazda KOERU and racing-spec Mazda Roadsters among fourteen models on display -- HIROSHIMA, Japan, Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of a new sports car concept model at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, which runs from October 30 through November 8.*1 A total of 14 models will be on display at the Mazda stand, including crossover concept Mazda KOERU making its first appearance in Japan, two racing-spec Mazda Roadsters (known as Mazda MX-5 outside Japan) and the Cosmo Sport (110S outside Japan), first introduced in 1967. The design of the sports car concept to be unveiled in Tokyo is modern but maintains a sense of lineage and authenticity, appearing almost to condense Mazda's entire history of sports car development into a single model. In line with the company's theme for the Tokyo Motor Show this year, "Accelerate toward our dreams," Mazda will make an appeal for the brand's unique approach to driving pleasure. In addition to the sports car concept, Mazda KOERU will be on display along with new-generation models featuring SKYACTIV Technologies and KODO—Soul of Motion design. A motor sports exhibit will feature racing-spec Roadsters and the Cosmo Sport will complement a heritage display showing Mazda's history of convention-defying engineering.

Mazda working on lithium-ion batteries to replace lead-acid starter batteries

In the quest for ever better fuel economy, car companies are looking for every single advantage possible, no matter how small. This is evident in everything from active grille shutters to the 48-volt mild-hybrid electric assist systems like that in the new Ram 1500. For Mazda, the latest target for potential efficiency gains is the lowly 12-volt starter battery. The company announced that it is partnering with two other companies, ELIIY Power and Ube Industries, to develop a lithium-ion starter battery that would be used on mainstream models in place of conventional lead-acid units. Mazda plans to have them ready for use by 2021. The advantage here would be that 12-volt lithium-ion batteries would be much smaller and lighter than the lead-acid ones they replace. And lighter cars don't need as much fuel to move around. Plus, as an added benefit, making cars lighter also often makes them faster and better handling. This is why companies such as Lotus and Porsche have offered optional lithium-ion 12-volt batteries for some lightweight sports cars. A potential downside to the use of these batteries is increased cost. Lead-acid batteries from your local parts store will run you between $100 to $150. AGM batteries could be between $200 and $300. As for lithium-ion batteries, Lotus introduced the option on the Evora 400 in 2016, and the option cost $1,690. Odds are that a company such as Mazda won't be absorbing all those costs, meaning that the cost of these future Mazdas could increase with a change from lead-acid to lithium ion. Related Video:

Mazda will decide who gets the MX-5 RF Launch Edition, like it's Ferrari or something

When Mazda introduced the 2017 MX-5 Miata RF at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, the vehicle came as a surprise. Everyone was expecting a new Miata variant, but no one thought it would be a retractable fastback, especially one that looks this good. Mazda listened to all of the positive feedback and decided to offer the same vehicle from the auto show as a limited-edition model. But you can't just go down to the dealer and place an order, at least for now. It's called the MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition, only 1,000 of them will be made, and they'll go only to Mazda's "valued customers." Instead of opening up orders to anyone, Mazda took a page out of Ferrari's book and is extending invitations to customers through email. The chosen few will have a specific amount of time to preorder the limited-edition model before the automaker gives everyone the opportunity to buy one, assuming there are any left. You might remember that Mazda did a similar thing with the first ND Miata roadsters – the 2016 MX-5 Launch Edition went to the first 1,000 customers that placed orders on www.longlivetheroadster.com. The Launch Edition is painted Machine Gray with a black roof panel and has Auburn Nappa leather on the inside – the same combination as the debut car. Future MX-5 RF models will be available with the same paint and leather, but will miss out on the black roof and special badges. Launch Edition buyers will also get a numbered Tourneau watch with the vehicle, and will only have just one choice to make – manual or automatic transmission. (We know which we'd choose.) Pricing for the RF Launch Edition has not been released, but we expect the regular RF to come in a little higher than the roadster's $25,750 base price. The MX-5 RF will go on sale early next year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF: New York 2016 View 13 Photos News Source: MazdaImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL Mazda Convertible Performance mazda mx-5 rf