2002 Mazda Millenia Base Sedan 4-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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Mazda reveals new 'Game Changers' advertising campaign

Looking to highlight its unique and sporty mindset, Mazda is getting ready to launch its biggest advertising campaign since "Zoom-Zoom" became its tagline in 2000. The new campaign, entitled "Game Changers," will begin in May, and rather than focusing on its sporty past - like it did with Zoom-Zoom early on - the new ads will look at recent advancements made in building its future, including Skyactiv technologies and its new diesel race program, both of which involve its excellent new Mazda6 sedan.
As a part of the ads, Mazda will showcase game changers from the sporting world, including Dick Fosbury who changed how competitors perform the high jump and Laird Hamilton, who redefined how surfers attacked big waves. It doesn't sound like Zoom-Zoom is going away, but "Game Changers" will definitely feature heavily in the Japanese automaker's marketing moving forward. A few examples of the new ad campaign are posted in our gallery, and the press release is available below.

2016 Mazda CX-5 [w/video]

It's difficult for me to get excited about crossovers. I try hard not to be the stereotypical car guy: ignoring the fact that the rest of the world loves these tall hatchbacks, while yelling, "station wagons make more sense!" until I've voided my lungs of air. Deep down I am that guy, but I work around it. Historically the Mazda CX-5 is one crossover that has been quasi-immune to my knee-jerking. It doesn't weigh two tons, offers a manual transmission (in poverty spec, but still...), and looks faster than its competitors. Most importantly, the CX-5 can round a corner without wobbling like a Slinky at the top of the stairs. No item on that list of plaudits would likely crack the top ten "desirables" for average small CUV shoppers. So, for the 2016 update, Mazda instead upgraded the in-cabin experience along with the requisite nips and tucks to the exterior. I borrowed a 2016 model CX-5 to see whether or not those concessions to comfort affected the car-nerd stuff. And to see if the Mazda could still be my go-to CUV recommendation. Driving Notes The engine options are unchanged for 2016. You can still have the fine, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with its 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, or its wimpier 2.0-liter lil' brother. My fully spec'd Grand Touring came with the bigger engine, which feels adequately powerful for the class, but not quick. In an era where turbocharged engines are everywhere, revving the Skyactiv 2.5-liter up to its torque peak at 3,250 rpm takes some commitment. I'm annoyed that there's no manual offered with the 2.5L (a combo I can have in both the Mazda3 and Mazda6), but I don't hate the automatic transmission. The six-speed unit is unobtrusive 99 percent of the time; something I regretfully can't tell you about certain nine-speed autos. There are no paddles to play with, but you can tap the shift lever up and down if you're struck by a need for total control. With a new center console and dash, and the addition of the Mazda Connect infotainment system, the '16 CX-5 feels like a new vehicle from behind the wheel. An attractive, pliant, leatherish material swaths the neat console and surrounding real estate. And the perforated leather seats feel damn near upscale. I think that Mazda Connect's version of the central control knob (with handy adjacent volume knob) is almost luddite-proof in its simplicity. There's no latency between twisting and reaction on the screen.

Mazda6 diesel may finally launch this year according to CARB certification

For close to a decade, Mazda said it would bring its latest generation of diesel engine, Skyactiv-D, to the United States. And for most of that time, it said that engine would appear in the Mazda6. Last year Mazda finally brought us the engine in the CX-5, and it looks like this year, the 6 will finally get it, too. This seems to be the case based on a CARB certification posted on January 31 specifically for the midsize family sedan. The CX-5, in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive variants, is listed in a different certification, so it's not a case of a blanket certification for every vehicle the engine could appear in this year. As expected, the document lists the 6 as having a 2.2-liter turbocharged engine with a six-speed automatic, though it doesn't say whether the model is front-wheel-drive or all-wheel. Either is certainly possible, since all-wheel drive, in particular with the diesel, is available in overseas Mazda6s. Like in the CX-5, the engine will probably make 168 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. While this certification tells us the diesel 6 will probably launch this year as a 2021 model, we're left to estimate the reveal date. Midway through the year, or possibly at the start of the next auto show cycle would seem likely, which would coincide with a model year update. Mazda has stated it will only be offered on the top-tier Signature trim, which starts at $36,345 with the standard turbocharged gasoline 4-cylinder. Looking at the price difference between a turbocharged Mazda CX-5 Signature with all-wheel-drive and the diesel CX-5, the price difference is about $4,000, so it would seem reasonable to expect the Mazda6 diesel to ring in at about $40,000. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.