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Mazda teases electric car again with peek at interior

Mazda is again touting the new electric vehicle it plans to reveal at the Tokyo Motor Show, this time teasing it from the inside. A 15-second video homes in on features found on the center console, namely, the blocky shifter for the automatic transmission, a large, knurled rotary dial for infotainment control, and a smaller dial we'll assume is for volume control. As for what else we can make out, if we were to guess, we'd say the slick surface to the right of the shifter is a screen. It'll be interesting to see how Mazda designers filled the space between the seats, but we're surprised Mazda went with such a substantial shifter; this being an EV on a new, dedicated platform, designers could have minimized the focus on shifting and opened up a host of other uses.  A brief press release informs us that Mazda's worked to liberate the cabin from structural clutter, though. The brand says the interior is "designed to give occupants a feeling of being 'enveloped in openness,'" and that the "goal [is] to make spending time in the car a comforting experience that allows customers to be themselves." Empty spaces throughout the center console "create a connection between the driver and passenger seat areas," so perhaps what looks like a free-floating console demo section in the video is what the unit will look like in the car. Elsewhere, the EV will feature eco-friendly materials. The EV isn't expected to make it to America, its powertrain designed to satisfy residents of particularly dense urban environments. The running gear should stick close to the drivetrain developed for the e-TPV prototype, meaning a 35.5-kWh battery powering a single electric motor at the front axle producing 138 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, and a single-speed transmission. Range is thought to be around 120 to 150 miles on a charge. The onboard charger can handle 6.6-kW home charging and 50-kW rapid charging. Eventually, a range-extender version with a rotary engine should join the lineup; Mazda said it chose a rotary because even though it's less efficient than competitors' ICE range extenders, it's so much quieter. The debut of what everyone expects to look like a crossover happens on Oct. 23.

Mazda Miata could get retractable hardtop in New York

The upcoming New York Auto Show just got a little more exciting because Mazda could debut the latest MX-5 Miata with a power retractable hardtop there. The best evidence comes from Autocar, which has an image of Mazda's invitation. The message promises a "world premiere" in the Big Apple and further teases, "Help us blow the lid off the New York Auto Show." The last Miata PRHT made up 52 percent of the roadster's sales mix in the US, so creating another one is an easy decision for the company. According to Autocar, expect the new roof mechanism to be lighter and more compact than the previous design. It would still add some weight compared to the cloth top, but customers would get the added insulation and security from the hardtop. With the NC PRHT as a guide, don't expect many changes for the new other than the roof. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque with either the six-speed manual or automatic should still make for an exciting drive. The hardtop just makes life a little more comfortable if you have to deal with rain or snow for part of the year. We can't wait to see it. Related Video:

Mazda halts sales of CX-5 due to fire risk in crashes

The Basics: Mazda will recall 264,463 examples of the 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 in the US. The Problem: The fuel filler pipe can rupture in a rear collision. This could cause a fuel leak, which is a fire risk. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. There are also no reports of fires. The Fix: Mazda has not yet specified the repair for the problem. If You Own One: Concerned owners can get a free loaner, demo, or rental vehicle until Mazda dealers repair the vehicle. More Information: Mazda also has a stop sale on new examples of the CX-5 until the company fixes the problem. Related Video: Mazda Implements Recall and Stop Sale of All 2014-2016 MY CX-5 Vehicles WASHINGTON, DC (February 1, 2016) – Today, Mazda Motor Corporation filed a safety defect report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address a concern with 2014-2016 Model Year (MY) CX-5 vehicles. On all 2014-2016 MY CX-5 vehicles, the fuel filler pipe could rupture during a rear collision, and could potentially cause fuel leakage. Approximately 264,463 vehicles are affected in the U.S. There are no reports of accidents or injuries occurring in the subject vehicles as a result of this condition. If a customer has concerns about driving their vehicle before the repair is available, dealers will offer a free loaner, demo, or rental vehicle. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.