2003 Mazda Protege Mazdaspeed Sedan 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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2018 Mazda6 refresh takes the car further upmarket

The 2018 Mazda6 is, on the surface, a very mild refresh. The front grille has been given more depth, and the fascia is generally cleaned up a bit, putting the design inline with the new CX-5 and future Mazda products. The interior has been given the same treatment: cleaned up and modernized. But throughout the car, some important updates under the skin make the 6 a more compelling product, and one that continues the company's push upmarket. The biggest change has already been partly revealed, and that's the addition of Mazda's turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It's the same engine found in the CX-9, and Mazda has now revealed it will make the same 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. The engine will also happily accept 87-octane, in which case the engine will make 227 horsepower. Though the addition of this engine is welcome, we're a bit disappointed to learn that it will only be available with a six-speed automatic transmission. If we're lucky, we might see Mazda add a manual option, since when Mazda launched the current Mazda3, the larger 2.5-liter engine was initially only available with an automatic. But try not to get your hopes up too high, either. The good news is that Mazda will continue to offer a manual transmission as well as an automatic with the base, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This engine will now feature cylinder deactivation, as will the 2018 Mazda CX-5. This system will shut off the cylinders on each end at cruising speed to improve fuel economy. Official fuel economy ratings for both engines have yet to be released. Aside from the powertrain, Mazda says it has made a few other mechanical improvements. The suspension has been retuned, and the steering rack rigidly mounted to the chassis to improve handling. Thicker sheet metal for the rear wheel wells, thicker trailing arms, and a bevy of braces have also been added in order to reduce noise for a more refined driving experience. The interior has also been updated for more refinement, particularly on the new Signature trim model. The sleeker interior design on all Mazda6s is joined by redesigned seats Mazda says are more comfortable. Those seats are now available with optional ventilation. A windshield-projected heads-up display, adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a stop and resume accelerating, as well as an instrument panel with a configurable 7-inch screen are other options.

2018 Mazda Miata adds a cherry on top

For 2018, Mazda is adding a number of new options that should get the attention of prospective Miata buyers, and one of them is shown above. Starting with the new model year, Mazda will offer both the usual black soft top, but also a "Dark Cherry" red top. It looks quite sharp with the silvery-blue color above, and it should be an excellent complement to the Grand Touring model's newest interior option. On the Grand Touring trim, customers can choose the reddish-brown Nappa leather interior that was first applied to the Miata RF Launch Edition. The interior package adds $300 to the top-trim Miata's price tag. There are a few other upgrades sprinkled throughout the Miata lineup. The base-level Sport models will finally get infotainment with a 7-inch screen instead of the little stereo controls mounted to the dash. The midrange Club model now gets heated cloth seats that are upgraded to heated leather units with the Brembo/BBS package, which for $3,770 adds Brembo brakes, BBS wheels, a body kit and the aforementioned seats. Another $700 nets the same package but with Recaro seats that also feature seat heaters. Along with the new features come slight price increases across the board. The base 2018 Sport trim now starts at $26,185, an increase of $395. The Club increases in price by $370 to $30,045, and the Grand Touring has the smallest change of $145 to $31,085. The first 2018 soft-top Miatas will arrive at dealerships this month, and should be available everywhere in January. Related Video: Image Credit: Mazda Mazda Convertible Performance mazda mx5

Mazda's awesome Hiroshima museum now navigable by Google Maps

Visiting an auto museum is one of the best ways we know to connect with car culture and to commune with the past and bone up on one's knowledge. Most of us have a decent museum within a few hours drive of where we live, but that doesn't mean it's easy to see the world's great collections - factors like cost, time and mobility can get in the way. Videos are great, but they don't allow us to browse at our own pace or choose what we'd like to focus on. The folks behind Google Maps have a solution - the virtual museum tour, as seen here at Mazda's fantastic museum in Hiroshima, Japan.
The Google Maps tour allows viewers to take a walk through the main exhibition area of the museum, and you can focus on specific classic cars from Mazda, or check out displays featuring new technologies like Skyactiv. To take a quick spin through the museum - or a leisurely stroll at your own pace - scroll down to start your own virtual tour.