Mazda shows off new BT-50 pickup in Australia

Now that the global Ford Ranger has received its debut, Mazda has taken the time to show off its take on the mid-sized pickup at the Australian International Motor Show. 

The Japanese automaker calls its version theBT-50, and it wears plenty of the company’s Nagare design language. Along with the swept nose and headlights, Mazda has thrown in similarly fluid taillights out back that remind us of the units on the CX-9 crossover. 

Mazda says that the company was going for a “sophisticated beast” look. We’ve certainly heard stranger marketing claims, but it the image of sasquatch in a suit does make us chuckle.

And what, pray tell, is under that shapely hood? Mazda isn’t saying at the moment, but we’d be surprised if the company didn’t plan to share power plants with the 2011 Ranger. 

If that’s the case, buyers can expect to choose between a thrifty 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 150 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque and larger displacement diesel and gasoline options backed by six-speed gearboxes.

Mazda BT-50 pickup headed to Sydney Motor Show

The Australian International Motor Show will be welcoming a new Mazda along with that mysterious Subaru. The next generation of the Mazda BT-50 pickup is scheduled to premiere on October 15 as an “active lifestyle vehicle.”

We’re not sure how the “modern and refined styling” will radically alter the Aussie’s take on the BT-50 or trucks in general, but according to Mazda it is a “new type of vehicle” possessed of a “universally recognizable beauty” that will increase “anticipation of the driving pleasure to come.” We suppose we’ll find out what all that means – beyond a hyperactive marketing department – come October. In the meantime, there’s a press release after the jump to wet our Aussie readers’ chops. Chance of U.S. importation to replace the now-departed B-Series? Not likely, mate.

Prototype Mazda3 with 2.0L Sky-G engine gets 30/40 mpg

Mazda gave us a glimpse of its next-generation Sky-G (gas) and Sky-D (diesel) powertrains at the 2009Tokyo Motor Show, as well as its new Sky-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. These engines are currently running the testing gauntlet, as the first applications are expected to show up as early as next year in the refreshed Mazda6 sedan.

Car and Driver was able to snag an early test of a 2.0-liter Sky-G engine, which will reportedly achieve 30 miles per gallon in the city and 39 to 40 mpg on the highway when used in a Mazda3. This puts it in the same territory as the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta TDIs, not to mention besting smaller offerings like the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.

C/D also got the skinny on Mazda’s 2.2-liter Sky-D diesel powertrain, which the automaker has confirmed for application in its “next-generation mid-size sedan” (*cough* Mazda6 *cough*) which will achieve up to 43 mpg on the highway. Take that, Fusion Hybrid. Head over to Car and Driver‘s full deep-dive for a raft of details about both of the new engines.

Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style

When Mazda invited us to Milan to see its new concept car, we knew it must be something important. Normally concept cars get their 15 minutes of fame at an auto show, and then it’s off to the next press conference to see what the following automaker will introduce. Not so with Mazda’s latest styling endeavor. The Japanese automaker wanted our full and undivided attention, with the center of international design and fashion in Italy as a fitting backdrop.

The Shinari concept, which roughly translates to “resistance to being bent,” will serve as a the basis for Mazda’s new design language, and many of the styling cues will make it to future production vehicles. That means that the Shinari will essentially affect the design of every vehicle coming from the Japanese automaker for the next several years. An important car for Mazda? You bet.

The Shinari was officially unveiled earlier today, and we spent several hours talking with Mazda’s artists about the design and how it will affect the automaker’s forthcoming vehicles. Follow the jump to learn more about the Shinari and what it means for the brand’s future.

Rumormill: Next Mazdaspeed3 to go diesel?

File this in the drawer labeled “Only Remotely,” but Mazda U.S. VP of product development Robert Davis allowed that the company is considering a diesel engine for the next Mazdaspeed3. Based on the report inCar and Driver, it looks like that’s as far as this has gotten: a diesel is on the table. Beyond that, none of the ‘pros’ mentioned seem to make a case for it, and the ‘cons’ make a case against it.

The idea is made possible by the fact that whippersnappers getting into a Mazdaspeed3 aren’t against diesel engines, being more familiar with modern clean diesels than the particulate monsters of yore. But if Mazda boosted its diesel Sky engine for the purpose of being a high performance engine, the frugality benefits of the engine would be erased. Then there’s that whole issue of additional heaps of diesel torque, and the additional heaps of torque steer that Mazda would have to engineer out of the car.

So it is perhaps best to take from this that a diesel engine for the next Mazdaspeed3 is a distant option, which could be seen as another crack in the wall. And while “Only Remotely” doesn’t mean impossible, we wouldn’t place any wagers on such a thing happening this next go-round.

Paris Preview: Mazda debuts new Kodo design language with Shinari Concept

With the departure of Laurens van den Acker to Renault, Mazda’s loved or loathed Nagare design language has been dispatched, and in its place is a new designer (Ikuo Maeda) a new theme, a new concept and a new name: Kodo.

Set to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month, the Shinari concept is our first glimpse at the future of Mazda styling. The four-door design exercise evolves the Nagare theme into a more cohesive and – dare we say – production-ready form, toning down the massive grin currently found on the Mazda3 and other models, while incorporating new aluminum accents that are expected to proliferate through Mazda’s future products.

Until the Paris show, these leaked image are all we have to go on, but judging by the hit-or-miss nature of Nagare, we like what we’re seeing thus far. And if you’re wondering, “Kodo” translates roughly to “soul of motion.”

Report: 2007-2009 Mazda3 and Mazda5 models face power steering recall

Automotive News is reporting that Mazda has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it will recall over 200,000 2007 to 2009 Mazda3 and Mazda5 models due to faulty power-assist steering pumps and pipes. The recall announcement comes two months after NHTSA launched an investigation into 33 complaints of power steering failures. In three cases, the loss of steering control led to an accident.

Robert Davis, Mazda’s senior vice president of product development and quality has told AN that the power steering system can shut down because sensors in the pump can be contaminated with rust from pipes that connect the pump to the steering rack. The contamination could cause the power steering pump to shut itself down to prevent further damage. When the power steering shuts down, affected vehicles will still be steerable, but the loss of power assist will make steering effort markedly heavier than what drivers are used to.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by Mazda to bring their Mazda3 or Mazda5 to the nearest dealership for a new steering pump and pipes. This recall notice has yet to be added to be made official by NHTSA on its website.

Shocking Rumor! Mazda considers RX-7 revival

Rumors about a true successor to the FD RX-7 have been kicking around automotive circles since… oh, just about exactly when the car left the world for good way back in 2002. While it could be argued that the Mazda RX-8 is a spiritual progeny of the Zoom-Zoom kingdom’s white night, the four-door sports car doesn’t quite stack up to its curvaceous predecessor. 

It would seem that Autocar is doing its best to keep the flame alive for the return of the RX-7, this time with – gasp – a new set of leaked details from an insider close to the project. Consider us stunned.

According to Autocar, the project could yield a car much closer to the original RX-7 recipe by as early as 2013. Supposedly – and stop us if you’ve heard this one before – the company is working on a new rotary mill to be used with an electric turbo for a little extra grunt. 

With the RX-8 on its way out the door and no word of a replacement on the horizon, it would seem only fitting for Mazda to be working on something rear-wheel drive with a Wankel at its heart, but given the lack of hard sources and solid details, we’re going to have to take this one with a jumbo-sized side of skepticism.

Rumormill: 2012 Mazda MX-5 to get rotary engine option

Rumors have surfaced that the next-generation Mazda MX-5 could tip the scales at 2,200 pounds and boast an impressive 50 miles per gallon without losing a lick of horsepower in the process. And while initial reports had the Miata achieving those impressive numbers with the help of Mazda’s forthcoming SKY-G engines,Best Car Japan is hearing something different from Mazda HQ.

The Japanese magazine reports that the 2012 Miata will receive a rotary mill with a displacement of 1.2 or 1.3 liters, helping the roadster drop a few pounds in the process. However, the Wankel has proven to be anything but fuel efficient, so to achieve lofty fuel economy numbers the rumored rotary would be of the hybrid variety. That sounds a bit far fetched, but the Wankel/hybrid marriage has already been consummated in the form of a Fiat 500 prototype created by FEV. The little Fiat contains a rotary that acts as a generator for a Lithium-Ion battery pack.

While it’s an intriguing idea, our money is on a small, efficient four-pot with turbocharging. After all, one of the most attractive qualities of the Miata is it’s diminutive price tag, and hybrids tend to add a lot of cost – not to mention weight – to the bottom line.

Limited edition Mazda2 Yozora package comes with snow tires

Canadian buyers can now get a Mazda2 with “2″s all over it, since that’s apparently what you’ve been dying for. The Mazda2 Yozora edition wears a suit of black as well as a rear spoiler, short antenna, chrome pipe and special alloys on winter tires summer tires, with an additional set of steel wheels on winter tires thrown in. And a decal theme that looks like it was designed by John Nash in A Beautiful Mind. Just five hundred will be made at a starting price of $19,280 ($19,178 U.S.). Follow the jump for the details on its “captivating design,” or go straight to the gallery of high-res photos below.

      

    

Mazda Continues MX-5 Festivities with Black & Matte Special Edition

Paris: In honor of the MX-5′s 20th French birthday, Mazda rolled out the MX-5 Black & Matte Edition at the Salon du Cabriolet, Coupé & SUV, an event that I have never heard of before in my entire life.

From the French press release, it sounds like Mazda teamed up with a local designer to throw itself a party; fine by me, but the invitations must have been lost in the mail, because I ain’t there.

Starting with a 2.0 liter Roadster Coupe, Paris design house LK (run by Laure Kczekotowska) seems to have taken the black, matte Miata and covered it “with rhinestones, gems, [and] crystals”. I don’t see no rhinestones, Kenny.

Anyway, the point is this: PARIS. SPECIAL EDITION. MX-5. HAUTE COUTURE. SOMETHING SOMETHING. PARTY. You get the idea.

Report Says New Mazda RX-7 Could be Unveiled as Early as 2011

A proper two-door coupe replacement for the much-missed Mazda RX-7 could make its appearance as early as 2011 as a 2012 model, according to a report from Edmund’s Inside Line. The news site says the introduction of the two-seat RX-7 will lead to the death of the four-seat RX-8 with its ‘suicide-style’ rear doors since it wouldn’t make much sense for Mazda to have three different sports cars (including the MX-5 / Miata) in its lineup.

Officially, the only piece of information that Mazda has released about its next generation RX model is the development of a new 1.6-liter (800cc per rotor) rotary engine called the 16X Renesis. Rumor has it that the new engine can produce up to 350 ponies.

Inside Line says that while Mazda’s initial plans were to offer the next RX-7 with a high-power version of the Wankel engine and a $35,000 price tag, the company is now considering to follow the example of the first generation model by developing a less powerful two-seater with not so many fancy features and a price of around $25,000.

In this case, the Wankel would deliver somewhere around 200 to 250HP, which shouldn’t be a bad thing if Mazda manages to keep the rear-wheel drive coupe’s weight down.

With the economy being what it is these days, and looking at the current and future (see Toyota FT-86) proposals in the segment, a less powerful but better priced RX-7 doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all. Plus, there’s always room for a more powerful version if the market’s up to it.

2011 Mazda2 with New Smiley Fascia Breaks Cover at Los Angeles Show

Two years after its debut and market launch in Europe, Japan and Australia, the now not-so new Mazda2 has finally made its way to the USA. The North American-spec version of the Mazda2 features some mild styling tweaks that include a reprofiled front bumper that now houses Mazda’s trademark ‘smiley’ lower grille and slightly different tail lamps.

Notably, the front-wheel drive hatchback shares the same vehicle platform as the 2011 Ford Fiesta that also made its premiere at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

In the U.S., the new Mazda supermini will be offered with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

The Mazda2 will be positioned below the Mazda3 and its competition will include the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevy Aveo and of course, the Fiesta.

It will launch into the North American market in late summer, 2010, with more details and pricing to be released at a later date.

All-New Mazda5 with Spunkier Styling Revealed Ahead of Geneva Show

The here is new Mazda5 people carrier and it will have its world premiere at the Geneva Motorshow in the beginning of March. The Japanese firm’s Renault Scenic and Opel Zafira rival in the compact MPV segment features all-new sheetmetal that brings it in line style-wise with the rest of Mazda’s lineup.

As well as adopting the company’s trademark smiley face grille up front, the new Mazda5 also uses swoopy elements of Mazda’s ‘Nagare Flow’ design language that was previewed on several concept cars including the Furai.

Like its predecessor, the new ’5 comes with sliding rear-doors and can accommodate up to seven passengers in three rows of seats.

Among the engine options will be Mazda’s newly-developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct-injection and i-stop, linked to a six-speed manual transmission with gear ratios specific to this version.

The gasoline line-up will also features a 1.8-liter engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

Jaguar recalling nearly 6,500 XJs due to defective windshield wipers

Jaguar has issued a recall covering 6,475 2010-11 XJ sedans built between July 28, 2009 and November 3, 2010 due to defective windshield wipers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration details the exact problem with these XJs, saying:

“The front wiper arms to spindle fixings were not torqued to specification during manufacturing. As a result, the securing nuts could fail to perform as intended, resulting in a loss of wiper arm synchronization and a clash of the wiper arms.”

Clashing wiper arms mean they could detach from the vehicle altogether, which is perhaps the last thing any driver would want to have to deal with on a rainy (or snowy) day. The full recall is expected to commence on or before December 13, and dealers will ensure that the wiper arms are securely fitted to the spindle. To read the full details, follow the jump for NHTSA’s release.

2012 Mazda5 priced from $19,990, hits dealerships in January

We have quite the soft spot for the Mazda5 mini-minivan. It’s a taller, more capacious version of the zippyMazda3, and it stands totally alone in a class of Americanized small MPVs (until the Ford Grand C-Maxarrives on our shores, that is). Mazda has given the 5 a healthy once-over for the 2012 model year, and the automaker has just announced that the swoopy new people-mover will be priced from $19,990 (including destination and delivery).

That sub-$20,000 price point gets you the base Sport model, which has 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry and safety features like Dynamic Stability Control and traction control. The $21,990 Touring model adds 17-inch alloys, a five-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top-rung Grand Touring ($24,670) will net you a moonroof, automatic xenon headlamps, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, heated leather front seats and an upgraded audio system with Sirius satellite radio.

The entire Mazda5 range is powered by the automaker’s 2.5-liter inline-four (found in the Mazda3, Mazda6and CX-7) that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. Base Sport models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a five-speed autobox is the only transmission available on Touring and Grand Touring models.

Aston Martin releases updated 2011 Vantage GT4

The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has only been racing for two years, but in that time has garnered notable accolades: Wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 hours and this year’s European GT4 Cup, just to name three.

The Gaydon firm has made revisions to the 2011 model, incorporating lessons learned from the roadgoing V12 Vantage, including better aerodynamics and greater downforce, as well as a new option that includes racing-tuned ABS and a new traction control system developed by Bosch. No specific numbers were released, but Aston Martin says that it has reworked the GT4′s 4.7-liter V8, as well, providing improved horsepower and torque numbers.

We’re sure these new changes will help the GT4 secure a few more wins in the 2011 racing season. You canfollow the jump for more details or just ogle it in the gallery of high-res photos below.