2008 Grand Touring All Wheel Drive Navigation Low Miles on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Rumored Mazda CX-3 may not be for US

Mazda has used its Kodo design language to make some of the most attractive, affordable cars in the world right now, with the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 (pictured above), but it still lacks a crossover in the smaller class, which are becoming popular on the world market. It seems like a natural fit then, that the Japanese company would shrink its CUV design even smaller for a CX-3 to fill the gap. However, a rumor suggests that the compact might not make it to these shores.
The Mazda2-based crossover is due later this summer in Japan and is launching in Europe and emerging markets later, according to Automotive News citing a report in Japan's Nikkei newspaper. The little CUV would cost between 1.5 million yen and 2.0 million yen ($14,700-$19,500) in Japan and be available with diesel and petrol engine options. However, the report made no mention of selling it in North America. There is a glimmer of a chance for the CX-3 here. Mazda is upgrading its Mexican factory to 230,000 annual unit capacity by 2016, which gives it the room to add the new vehicle.
While the midsize CUVs are hugely popular in the US, compacts like the Buick Encore are still a small portion of things. If Mazda could time the CX-3's launch right here, it could take advantage of the lack of competition.

Jerry Seinfeld and Margaret Cho get coffee in a Mazda Cosmo Sport

The new season of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee has already reached its second episode, imaginatively titled, You Can Go Cho Again. If it's classic Mazdas you like, you're in for a treat. In this episode, Jerry Seinfeld plays up the You Only Live Twice vibe you get from the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport, as it's suitably similar to the Toyota 2000GT seen it that film – in color, at least. Unlike the Yamaha twin cam six Toyota, the little Mazda is propelled by a characteristic rotary engine, which in Jerry's opinion is similarly eccentric as the episode guest Margaret Cho. The right-hand-drive Cosmo Sport is an unicorn in the States, and it's in absolutely perfect condition right down to the houndstooth upholstery. Check out the video below, or head on over to Crackle for this video along with all the previous episodes from seasons past. News Source: Crackle Celebrities Mazda Classics Videos jerry seinfeld comedians in cars getting coffee

2014 Mazda6 Skyactiv-D Wagon

This was sort of a quirky surprise drive opportunity. I've been over here in Italy for a while now, and Mazda Italia contacted me seemingly out of the blue to drive test some version of the Mazda6 with a diesel engine. Supremo. The Mazda6 is a sexy everyday beast and I have been digging their SkyActiv-D engines for a while now. Very spirited units.
My contact phones me the day of, and says he can come by with the car, and then we'll head off to some sort of special spot for dynamics testing and technical conversation. Nice deal, say I.
My guy Ernesto pulls up outside of the house and - lo and behold - it's a dang Mazda6 station wagon with the very most recent 2.2-liter SkyActiv-D motor good for 148 horsepower and healthy 280 pound-feet of torque. The wee four-banger with 14.0:1 compression ratio hauls this 3,260-pound wagon around with the best of them. A decent 0-to-60-mph time of 8.7 seconds, too.