2002 Mazda Mx-5 Miata Base on 2040-cars

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Perk up your Mazda Miata with BBR's new 248-horsepower turbo kit

For three decades, enthusiasts have argued whether the Mazda MX-5 Miata needs more power. For its part, Mazda seems fine with leaving the Miata as is, even reducing the horsepower from the third- to fourth-generation models, though the car lost a little weight. That's where tuners like BBR in the UK and Flyin' Miata here in the US step in, offering aftermarket solutions for those that crave a little more grunt. BBR announced today that its new 248-horsepower Stage 1 turbo kit is ready and waiting for the new 2.0-liter-powered ND Miatas, including the new Miata RF. BBR's first Miata turbo kit was released all the way back in 1990. Since then, the shop has been tuning and honing its craft, releasing ever-more potent variations its comprehensive power kit. This new version, like the previous ones, focuses not only on adding more power but maintaining the level of drivability and refinement you expect from all Miatas. The Mazda electronic safety features are retained, and the team is working on CARB emissions approval. That said, with BBR tune an ND Miata will hit 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, roughly two seconds quicker than stock. To get the peak 248 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, BBR does more than simply slap on a big turbo. In 2014, BBR began using a Mazda3 as a development vehicle in preparation for the new Miata's launch. A twin-scroll turbocharger is mounted onto a custom cast-iron manifold. A front-mounted aluminum intercooler keep things cool and doesn't require cutting up the bodywork. The engine breathes in through a K&N air filter and exhales through a stainless steel downpipe. The whole thing is controlled by BBR's Starchip / EcuTek RaceRom ECU software package. Other upgrades include silicone turbo pipes, an aluminum battery tray, a recirculating piston type dump valve, a carbon-fiber heat shield, and stainless steel oil and water lines. BBR is offering extended warranties from 12 to 36 months. In the US, the sole distributor is Flyin' Miata in Colorado. At $5,695, it's not a cheap proposition, but it is less expensive than one of Flyin' Miata's V8 swap kits. Less expensive (and less potent) performance kits are also available. Related Video: News Source: BBR Aftermarket Mazda Convertible Performance turbo tuner tuning

Mazda recalls Takata airbags in B-Series

The Basics: Mazda will recall 19,000 examples of the 2004–2006 B-Series pickup. The Problem: The pickups contain Takata-sourced driver's side airbag inflators that could rupture in a crash. The spray of metal shrapnel could injure or even kill occupants. Injuries/Deaths: None reported in the Mazda pickups. However, a rupturing airbag inflator killed the driver in a Ford Ranger, which is identical to the B-Series. The Fix: Mazda will replace the driver's side inflator. If You Own One: Mazda plans to notify affected owners as soon as dealers have the replacement parts. More Information: Mazda already recalled 442,266 driver's side Takata inflators and 416,475 of them on the passenger's side. The affected models included the 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2006 B-Series, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and some examples of the 2004 MPV. Ford also issued an expanded safety campaign for 391,394 examples of the 2004-2006 Ranger. Related Video: Mazda Announces Recall On B-Series Vehicles With Takata Driver-Side Frontal Airbag Inflators WASHINGTON, DC (February 1, 2016) – Mazda has decided to recall all 2004–2006 model year B-Series Trucks with Takata driver-side frontal air bag inflators. Approximately 19,000 vehicles are affected in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Saipan. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries on the Mazda-badged vehicles subject to this recall. Model Year 2007-2009 B-Series Trucks with Takata passenger-side frontal air bag inflators are part of a previous recall. Approximately 19,000 vehicles are affected in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Saipan. Below is a summary of Mazda models with a passenger- and/or driver-side front Takata air bag inflators currently being recalled. Total Number of Driver's frontal air bag inflator - 442,266 Total Number of Passenger's frontal air bag inflator - 416,475 2003-2008 Mazda6 2004-2006 B-Series 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 2004-2008 RX-8 (All Driver-side / Certain Passenger-side) 2004 MPV (Certain Vins only. Click here to see if your vehicle is included.) Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

NHTSA urges owners of recalled Takata airbag vehicles to take immediate action

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation are taking the unusual step of issuing a followup press release urging owners of certain recalled vehicles "to act immediately" to fix their cars and trucks. The problem in question concerns the repair campaigns for rupturing Takata airbag inflators issued in June and covers a long list of models from Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, Infiniti, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile and Pontiac.
While NHSTA doesn't specifically say why the recall is vital in the new release, Toyota's own explanation in its newly announced renotification campaign earlier today sheds some new light on the topic. According to the Japanese automaker, in testing, Takata found a possible link between the rupturing airbag inflators and high humidity. NHTSA is advocating that all owners pursue repairs immediately if they haven't already done so already. This is especially crucial for those drivers especially in Florida, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii because of the humid conditions there.
We don't need to tell you how dangerous an inadvertent airbag deployment could be - even in a stationary vehicle - but adding to the Takata issue is fears that the deployment could lead to shrapnel being sprayed into the cabin.