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2018 Mazda 6 gains Apple CarPlay, Android Auto in September

When we did our midsize sedan comparison test, only one of the three cars came equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android. That was the Honda Accord. However, had we waited a bit, the 2018 Mazda 6 also would've included these increasingly common and now widely expected smartphone connection features. Though the addition was previously announced, Mazda made it official that upgrades will start in September. All but the base 2018 Mazda 6 Sport trim will receive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as no-cost dealer-installed upgrades. That includes 2018 model year cars that have already been sold. So, if you should have already purchased a Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve or Signature, make an appointment at the dealer in a month and it'll upgrade the infotainment system to not only include the Apple and Android software but also the latest Mazda Connect software and a more powerful, faster-charging 2.1-amp USB port. The 6 is the first 2018 Mazda to receive this upgrade, be it when purchased or as a retroactive add. We have reached out to Mazda to find out if other Mazda models could be so-upgraded in the future. We will update this story as we get more information. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mazda sells 10 millionth car in the US, does something special

When Lauren Carter of Glen Ellyn, IL was in the market for her first car, she went for a Mazda3. Not a bad choice, but not necessarily remarkable on the surface. After all, Mazda sold 123,361 of them here last year alone. What she didn't know was that the car she bought was the 10 millionth Mazda had sold in the US over the course of its 43-year history here, since selling its first rotary-powered R100 here in 1970.
Rather than let the occasion pass with nothing more than a press release (like the one below), Mazda gave Lauren a brand-new 2014 Mazda3 to replace the 2013 model she had bought. Which is a nice gesture, of course, but also enables Mazda to hold on to the landmark 10,000,000th car in its heritage collection.

Mitsuoka Rock Star is a Miata in a Chevy Corvette Sting Ray disguise

Mitsuoka is a famous (infamous?) Japanese custom car builder known for its absurd, and occasionally out-of-this-world vehicles. Its most iconic vehicle was the mid-engine Orochi, but its bread and butter are normal Japanese cars given front and rear styling from the past, usually sometime between the 1930s and 1950s. One of the more recent examples is the Mitsuoka Himiko, a Mazda Miata given a classic European roadster look. But the company has ventured a little further ahead in history with its latest model, the Mitsuoka Rock Star, which quite clearly is meant to be a C2 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray. The effect is actually pretty convincing, and as far as Mitusokas go, it looks smartly proportioned and a good fit for the base car. That base car is the current Mazda Miata, known as Roadster in Japan. It probably helps that the base Miata was designed with exaggerated fenders and creases from the get-go, so the even more exaggerated lines of the Corvette fit surprisingly well. Outside of the body, the car is pretty much identical to a regular Miata. It uses the same naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder as all overseas examples. That means it makes just 129 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of torque, so this doesn't even come close to the fire-breathing power of real C2 Corvettes. Of course, that could be rectified with an LS V8 swap from Flyin' Miata. The engine is coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic. The manual can also be had with a limited-slip differential. There are a number of available upgrades including custom colors for the body and the windshield surround. You can also add a custom leather interior with body-color coordinated panels. Mitsuoka will even provide retro-style wheels with white-letter BF Goodrich tires for the complete look. If you live in Japan and find this vehicle appealing, you'd better be ready to shell out plenty of cash. At current exchange rates, the base Rock Star starts at $41,636. The price goes up from there with options. In contrast, a base Mazda Miata here in the U.S. starts at $26,625, a little more than half that of the Mitsuoka. And of course, the U.S.-spec Miata is substantially more powerful. If you want the Mitsuoka, you'll also have to get in touch with the company quickly. There will only be 50 examples, and you have to apply for one. Related Video: News Source: MitsuokaImage Credit: Mitsuoka Mazda Convertible Performance mitsuoka