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Mazda boss says no to new-generation Mazda3 hot hatch

Mazda offered a hot, turbocharged version of the Mazda3 model during the car's first two generations, badging it either the MPS or the Mazdaspeed 3 depending on the market. The third generation car didn't get a hot-hatch variant, and now Mazda is saying there won't be one for the freshly revealed fourth-gen car, either. Mazda's new global boss, Akira Marumoto, told Australian motor journalists at the Los Angeles show that there won't be an MPS in the cards. As Drive quotes Marumoto: "Mazda is a small player, and if [you are asking whether] that segment has a high particular priority for Mazda, my answer would be no. Therefore we not planning for MPS in the future." Marumoto stated that Mazda would rather establish itself as a genuine premium carmaker comparable to its European rivals, stressing that this would be achievable through quality, comfort and refinement improvements in the existing lineup rather than expanding into other segments. As well as nixing the Mazda3 MPS, Marumoto also said that despite repeated queries, the function of the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show car RX Vision was to preview the evolution of the Kodo design language and not to herald the arrival of a new rotary sportscar. So, it's time to cue the Mazda Kills Rotary Sports Car Again headlines. Marumoto also told journalists that there won't be an EV sports car or a completely driverless car from Mazda either: He said he prefers the smell of gasoline to full electric power, and that Mazda will never build a car without a steering wheel. For Mazda, autonomous capabilities would serve to bring the car to a safe halt in the case of an incapacitated driver, instead of doing the driving. However — and there is a strong "however" — Mazda did tell us that the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine does fit into the new 3. Mazda representatives said that the header on the naturally aspirated version is big enough as it is, making it easy to shoehorn in the 250-horsepower turbo version without issue. They also said that the company is closely monitoring buyer demand, which originally led to the turbo being available on the Mazda6 and CX-5, along with justifying the introduction of all-wheel-drive in the new Mazda3. So: if there is a case for it, the turbo might come — just don't call it a Mazdaspeed 3, or view it as an overt hot hatch. But the shoe fits.

Sell your own: 2004 Mazda RX-8

Looking to sell your car? We make it both easy and free. Quickly create listings with up to six photos and reach millions of buyers. Log in and create your free listings. Combine "sports car" with "user-friendly" and, in most forums, you have yourself an oxymoron. Sports cars are – by definition – sporty, but rarely do they qualify as easy to use. One that did and, regrettably, has faded from the scene is Mazda's RX-8. Initially launched in 2003, and out of production within roughly a decade, the RX-8 was perhaps the rotary-powered answer to a question few – at the time – were asking. Happily, Mazda produced it anyway. With its front mid-engined platform, freestyle doors and +2 seating, the RX-8 came as close to offering day-in, day-out utility as anything this side of an extended-cab pickup. And its nod to practicality did little, if anything, to diminish the essential goodness of the menu. Mazda's design team provided a high-revving rotary, nimble handling and almost telepathic steering, combining them into a frenzy-filled dollop of locomotion. The result was no more than mildly fast and furious, but in properly motivated hands the RX-8 delivered a high level of entertainment for a relatively modest outlay. This for-sale example, a 2004 RX-8 with automatic transmission, requires just $6,000 and – not incidentally – the ability to buy into its premise. The automatic will be perceived by many to be a negative, but might also suggest a more gentle ownership history. And without benefit of a clutch and shifter, the new owner can concentrate on the driving, with the Mazda's absurdly direct steering and slot-car cornering. The asking price is on the high side (book average is about $5K), but know that similar cars might bring upwards of $8,000. And at 91,000 miles it's been used, but perhaps not used up. Related Video: Mazda Used Car Buying Buying Guide Ownership Coupe Performance

2021 Mazda6 gets small price increase and updates, and that Carbon Edition

Mazda's blowing a soft breeze of change over the 2021 Mazda6. We already knew the Japanese automaker has included the sporty sedan in its batch of Carbon Editions, along with the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-9. The trio feature an exclusive Polymetal Gray exterior hue with blacked-out trim and a black metallic finish for the wheels. while the interior shouts in red leather with black accents. We now know the Carbon Edition is based on the fourth-highest trim, the Grand Touring Reserve, adding just $275 to the price of that trim in standard guise. Pricing for the entire 2021 range and differences to 2020 after the $945 destination charge are: Mazda6 Sport $25,270 ($225) Mazda6 Touring $27,870 ($225) Mazda6 Grand Touring $30,970 ($225) Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve $33,470 ($225) Mazda6 Carbon Edition $33,745 Mazda6 Signature $36,695 ($350) Two of the three premium paint choices go up in price as well. Snowflake White Pearl Mica will cost $395 instead of $200, Machine Gray Metallic goes from $300 to $495. Soul Red Crystal Metallic holds steady at $595. At the entry-level, the Sport adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to its list of standard equipment, meaning the infotainment feature is now standard across the lineup. Everything holds steady until the Mazda6 Grand Touring, which adds a "Turbo" badge at the back for distinction, and wireless Apple CarPlay inside. Mazda didn't say so, but we're guessing wireless Apple CarPlay will be available on trims above the Grand Touring as well. Under the hood, the 2.5-liter turbocharged Skyactiv-G four-cylinder gains 10 pound-feet of torque when filled with 93 octane, producing the same 250 horsepower but an improved 320 lb-ft. On 87 octane, the engine makes 227 hp and 310 lb-ft.  The 2021 Mazda6 misses out on the new infotainment system shared with the Mazda3, CX-30, and CX-5, and the diesel and all-wheel drive options still haven't decided to come out of their hiding places. The sedan is expected on dealer lots later this month or early next. Related Video: