1994 Mazda Rx-7 Touring Coupe 2-door 1.3l Fully Built on 2040-cars

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2019 Mazda CX-3 small crossover will start at $21,365

The figures are in for the 2019 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover, which will start at $21,365 when it arrives in showrooms later this month. That's $280 above the outgoing model, including a $975 destination and handling fee. Fuel economy figures are also now in from the EPA. When equipped with front-wheel drive, the 2019 CX-3 gets 29 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway for a combined 31 mpg. The all-wheel-drive version is rated at 27 mpg in the city, 32 on the highway and 29 combined. Which are ... exactly the same figures as the outgoing version (so much for the promised fuel economy improvements). We detailed most of what's new about the 2019 version back in March at the New York Auto Show. Mostly, they're non-cosmetic changes: The carryover 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder picks up a couple more horsepower and pound-feet of torque for 148 total horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, joining a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift and sport modes. It also gets Mazda's G-Vectoring Control driving technology, a sportier, retuned suspension and improvements to make the driving experience quieter and more refined. Mazda says it's also added an electronic parking brake, which necessitated a redesign of the center console and armrest, adding storage space, and it redesigned the front seats and added a new rear armrest with built-in cupholders. Standard features include a new direct tire-pressure monitoring system and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, two USB ports, a rearview camera, hands-free Bluetooth calling and audio pairing capability, and the 7-inch Mazda Connect full-color infotainment and diagnostic display, controllable via voice command or control knob. The new Sport i-ACTIVSENSE Package of safety technologies is available for an extra $1,100. It adds features including smart city braking support with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, radar cruise control with stop-and-go function, LED headlights and LED combination tail lights. Other trim levels include Touring, which adds 18-inch wheels and keyless entry, and the top-level Grand Touring, which starts at $26,720 and $28,120 for front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, respectively. Grand Touring includes the Sport i-ACTIVSENSE Package, plus Parchment or black full-leather seating with high-gloss pleated piping and chrome accents on the front bumper and side sills, among other features.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata firsthand impressions and notebook scribblings

In a temporarily repurposed airport hanger in Monterey, CA, the world caught its first glimpse of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata tonight, and I was fortunate enough to attend in person along with my fellow auto media colleagues, Mazda execs, a couple hundred Miata devotees and, oddly, a fair number of Duran Duran fans. The klieg lights have dimmed, Simon Le Bon is no longer ringing in my ears, and I'm left to ponder what I've seen. I've scavenged my notes - and my Twitter feed - to give you some details and brief thoughts.
Fair Warning: I can't claim to be completely impartial (I own a second-generation NB and consider the Miata franchise to be one of but a few sacrosanct franchises in modern motoring), but I will share my honest first impressions of the new car, both good and bad.
Here are my notes:

Mazda3 versus BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 in Euro diesel showdown

It's not exactly a Tesla Model S taking on a Ferrari, but for us green enthusiasts, a drag race and comparison between reasonably priced diesel hatchbacks does hold interest, and UK's Auto Express was kind enough to do the deed. When raced, the diesels actually laid a little rubber coming off the line, though the track was covered in rain. Did we mention it was in the UK? The comparison was between diesel hatchbacks priced at less than 22,000 British pounds (about $34,500 US), and Auto Express pitted a Mazda3, a BMW 1-Series and an Audi A3 against each other. The results are revealed in the 11-minute video you can watch below. In short, one car smoked the others. In order to set the tone, you should know that the Mazda's 150 horsepower is about 35 more than the other two entrants. The Mazda also earned points for its quiet motor (it sounds more like a petrol engine, the host says), standard equipment that would add about $4,000 to the other two cars if included and relative roominess in front and in back. The Audi gained points for its storage space, while the BMW had the only rear-wheel-drive car in the hunt. See for yourself how the competition stacks up. News Source: Auto Express via YouTube Green Audi BMW Mazda Diesel Vehicles bmw 1-series Auto Express