2007 Mazda Mx-5 Miata. Sport. Convertible. 2-door 2.0l 48k Miles 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.

Mazda to use rotary engine as a range-extender with its first electric vehicle

There's more news from Mazda at the Tokyo Motor Show, where the brand made a big splash, including new developments in its never-ending rotary engine saga. First, Mazda execs confirmed that the Japanese automaker will bring back the rotary engine as a range-extender and battery juicer for its first electric vehicle in 2019. But secondly, the company won't have a rotary-powered successor to its RX-7 and RX-8 sportscars in time for the company's centennial anniversary in 2020. Autoblog previously confirmed that Mazda is planning to have an EV in 2019 that will be available in both pure electric and range-extending versions. Now, the Australian website Motoring reports that the global EV will feature a powertrain similar to the experimental Japan-only Mazda2 (Demio) EV, which used a single-rotor engine as a generator to power the battery pack and increase its driving range. The publication says Mazda plans to release a series of plug-in hybrids based on existing models around 2020, then a pure electric car co-developed with Toyota and Denso in 2021 as part of the EV Common Architecture Spirit Company joint venture. A Mazda spokesman tells Autoblog the company couldn't confirm any details about future products. Meanwhile, enthusiasts shouldn't wait for a rotary-based production version of Mazda's RX-Vision concept from 2015. Motoring cites two executives who explain that the company simply lacks the capital necessary to invest in developing the new model in time for its 2020 centennial. Mazda debuted its rotary engine 50 years ago in the Cosmo Sport in part as a way to stand out from its larger Japanese competitors. The engine, which uses a spinning three-tipped rotor in place of pistons, is smaller and lighter than conventional piston engines, with a greater power-to-weight ratio and quieter, smoother operation. But it delivers less fuel economy and higher emissions — two weaknesses that could be improved via a stop-start system Mazda has developed, based on a pair of U.S. patents. The company has also been hard at work developing its next-generation Skyactiv-X engine, which uses highly precise combustion ignition technology to deliver significant gains in fuel economy and power.Related Video:

Let's talk about cars instead of the election | Autoblog Podcast #492

This week's episode was recorded on Tuesday, before the election results came out. So David Gluckman and Mike Austin talk about cars instead. Maybe it will be a nice break for you. Topics include the BMW M3, Volvo S90, Honda's quirky satellite radio DVR, hatchbacks, and wagons. And of course the Miata. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want questionable buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast at autoblog dot com. And please send trivia questions! You'll get the honor of stumping your fellow listeners, and we'll thank you too. Autoblog Podcast #492 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics and stories we mention 2017 BMW M3 Competition 2017 Volvo S90 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Hatchbacks... Wagons! Rundown Intro - 00:00 What we've been driving - 3:40 Listener questions - 30:22 Total Duration: 39:55 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes Podcasts BMW Mazda Volvo Hatchback Wagon volvo s90