The next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata will have a sibling, but it won't be a Mazda, it will be an Alfa Romeo. The Japanese automaker has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alfa parent Fiat to co-develop a roadster based on the MX-5 platform that is expected to see production in Mazda's Hiroshima factory, with the Alfa version coming in 2015.
Pegged as "a successor to the MX-5," the production date will push the next-gen Miata's arrival back a bit. In 2010 it was predicted we'd see the new Miata this year, with its 2,200-pound weight target, 50/50 weight distribution and potential twin-backbone chassis structure. Obviously that isn't happening.
Whenever the new model and its Alfa mate do come, each brand will get "differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive," using in-house engines provided by their own brands.
The link-up is excellent news for Mazda, the small, independent company searching for just these kinds of "technology and product development alliances" to help rescue it from years of losses, and supporting CEO Takashi Yamanouchi's assertion that it's "partner or die." The negotiations also include further cooperation between the two brands in Europe.
Fiat head Sergio Marchionne's search for partnerships to provide scale is no secret, nor his desire to improve Fiat's position in Asia, which Mazda might also be able to assist with. And the idea of a properly sporting Alfa would be welcome round the world; with the loss of the Brera GT and Brera Spider in 2010, the Alfa line is down to two hatchbacks and a long-in-the-tooth sedan, none of them particularly sporty. With the 8C Spider beyond most budgets and the 4C still living in the ether, it's been almost 20 years since the then 33-year-old Alfa Spider represented (or was meant to, at least) the kind of purposeful, two-seater Alfa being announced here.
The final agreement should be finalized later this year, and you can scroll down to read the press release.
Continue reading Mazda and Fiat to co-develop a roadster based on next-gen MX-5 Miata
During a meeting of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Toyota president Akio Toyoda offered a "Chapeau!" to his fellow CEOs by listing his favorite cars from other makers. He listed just one vehicle from five makers represented on the board, in alphabetical order: the Honda NSX, Isuzu Bellett, Mazda Cosmo, Mitsubishi Pajero (our Montero) and Nissan Skyline.
Toyoda didn't give his reasons for choosing these car beyond each being "memorable." Even so, going through the list any car enthusiast knows the Honda (Acura in the States) NSX needs no introduction nor explanation. The Mitsubishi Pajero is probably as well known for it's off-road excellence as it is for its name change in Spanish-speaking lands due to the word "pajero" - all the more intriguing when it's apparently named after an Argentine cat, Leopardus pajeros. And although the "Skyline" moniker was made famous overseas by the GT-R, the Nissan Skyline that Toyoda references has a long history and is our Infiniti G.
The Mazda Cosmo (pictured) was an Italian-esque little coupe produced from 1967 to 1995, the first series production vehicle with a two-rotor rotary engine. The Isuzu Bellett was that firm's in-house replacement for the English Hillmans it was rebranding, the first Japanese car to get GT badging (it would also get a GT-R version), and it would cover just about every segment with sedan, coupe, station wagon and pickup truck variants.
Forget the Mazda CX-5. The Mazda3 still carries the sales gravitas that the CX-5 aspires to, but for now, the C-segment sedan and hatchback that has provided eight years of sales bedrock is still the most important Mazda model. That's why, after making hay with the debut of the CX-5 crossover and its innovative Skyactiv powertrain, the tried-and-true Mazda3 was the next in line for the engine, transmission and aero-tweak hat trick that's allowed the car to claim a 40 miles per gallon highway fuel economy rating.
Putting a new engine in an older car as a way to boost interest and sales isn't a new idea, of course. Sometimes it works, and other times it's not enough to re-float sales that have run aground on the sandbar of customer ennui. The Mazda3 has also consistently pleased enthusiasts, so we wanted to find out how its comportment has changed after the heart transplant.
Mazda and the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula have extended the automaker's naming rights of Laguna Seca for another five years. That means the famous race track in California will continue to be known as Mazda Raceway, at least through 2016. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors ratified the agreement.
The Japanese manufacturer has been instrumental in updating and improving Laguna Seca to make the facility more convenient and safer than before. Mazda helped fund additions like permanent pit lane garages and luxury hospitality suites as well as additional runoff areas on the track itself. Mazda first partnered up with SCRAMP in 2001, but the company says its ties to the track go all the way back to the '70s, when the brand was little-known here the States. Scroll down below for the full press release.
Continue reading Mazda and SCRAMP extend Laguna Seca partnership
The crew at MotoMan has rolled out the second episode of its Targa Newfoundland coverage. This time around, Brandon Fitch and I spend plenty of time talking with the guys about the challenges of Day One, how the Flyin' Miata supercharged NC MX-5 Miata handles some of the more technical stages and joy of hauling ass through a subdivision. Meanwhile, team MotoMan gets a few valuable lessons on competition in targa from veterans of the race like Rob Pacione and learns a little about Newfoundland hospitality at the same time. As the week continues, competitors are forced to overcome a variety of challenges, from an entire engine swap in a Lotus to a water-logged 911.
Part Two gives us all a better idea of what it's like to compete in Grand Touring, where the goal is to hit a specific time and speed, rather than simply beat a time like in Targa class. Both competitions are challenging in their own right, but we have to sympathize with MotoMan's frustration at being forced to limp a Dodge Challenger 392 along at 40 miles per hour with an open road ahead of you. Scroll down to check it out for yourself.
Continue reading MotoMan at Targa Newfoundland, Part Two
Mazda sales are up 22 percent this year, but the company's American operation is enduring acute pain. It is in the midst of a complete, five-month reorganization while trying to raise funds and shrink its workforce. In March, Mazda announced its intention to offer voluntary buyouts to its U.S. employees, after which it would assess the plan and then lay off other workers if needed. Of the firm's 701 local workers, 107 have accepted the voluntary buyout.
Having seen its North American year-over-year operating loss swell by more than 25 percent to $505 million from $397 million, every aspect of the company has come under review. Mazda has said it doesn't know if involuntary layoffs will be necessary yet, but CEO Takashi Yamanouchi does know this: "It's a must-win situation."
Dodge Dart, Chrysler Q1 sales, FR-S and BRZ versus MX-5, 2013 Nissan Altima's Hyundai Sonata influence
Episode #279 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Zach chat about the Dodge Dart, Chrysler's first-quarter 2012 sales, a Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ smackdown at Motegi with a Mazda MX-5, and the influence of the Hyundai Sonata on the 2013 Nissan Altima. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #280:
Lamborghini Urus
Dodge Dart
Scion FR-S vs. Subaru BR-Z vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Chrysler sales robust in Q1, especially in California
Nissan Altima redesign influenced by Hyundai Sonata
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Hyundai Veloster
2012 Audi S5
2012 GMC Acadia
Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:41:32
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A Japanese motoring show, complete with titles in comic fonts, put three racing pilots behind the wheels of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S (Toyota 86, in this case) for three laps of the 2.1-mile East Road Course at Twin Ring Motegi. Of course the segment producers know that putting the 167-horsepower roadster against the 200-hp coupes isn't exactly fair, so they gave the Mazda a small head start of about three grid positions.
Ex-sports car racer Takayuki Kinoshita handles the Mazda, former open-wheel pilot Naoki Hattori drives the BRZ, and former Le Mans-class winner Keiichi Tsuchiya gets fast and loose in the FR-S. The drivers offer copious on-track commentary, but it's in Japanese. That said, watching the MX-5 try to stay in front and watching Tsuchiya start drifting are universal gearhead languages. You'll find the action after the jump.
Continue reading Japanese TV show pits MX-5 against BRZ and FR-S at Twin Ring Motegi
And now for some good news from Mazda: it is doubling the run of its limited edition RX-8 Spirit R, adding 1,000 more units to production due to demand. Announced late last year, this Japan-only model celebrates the end of the RX-8's nine-year existence. The final Wankel-engined four-door is scheduled to roll off the line in June.
The Spirit R doesn't skimp on the extra trim bits inside and out, with larger brakes clamped by red calipers, piano-black transmission tunnel trim, Recaro Sprint R bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and an enhanced traction control system among the bonus features.
Both automatic and manual transmissions are offered, but takers have gone decisively for the row-your-own cogswapper, making up 66 percent of orders. Compared to the automatic, they receive larger 19-inch wheels on lower profile tires, a "hard suspension," alloy pedals and aero bits. Hit the jump for the press release with more details.
Continue reading Reprieve! End of Mazda RX-8 pushed back by extra 1,000 units
Whenever Consumer Reports weighs in on the automotive landscape, we're always eager to hear what its editors have to say. We value their opinions, not because we necessarily agree or disagree, but because CR plays it straight. And sometimes, amidst all the folderol spewed about new models in the pages of car magazines and on the myriad websites devoted to automotive minutiae, it helps to read someone write things like this:
Overall, CR's testers found the CR-V is functional and easy to live with, if not particularly exciting to drive. The CX-5 Touring... is more athletic and engaging to drive, thanks to its agile handling, taut cornering, and responsive steering.
Now this may strike most of you as nothing more than CR displaying its usually astute command of the obvious. But it reads that way for a reason - call it art imitating life. So when the mainstreamers read that the CR-V narrowly beat out the CX-5, it will not just reflect the reality of a market in which the Mazda brand lags well behind Honda, but confirm their worldview. The Honda CR-V will continue to appear on the magazine's "Recommended" list, while the jury will await reliability reports before nominating the Mazda CX-5.
The sun will rise in the east and set in the west.
To read CR's full press release, which also spills the beans on the June issue's head-to-head test between the Mercedes-Benz ML350 and BMW X5, as well as road tests of the Subaru Impreza hatchback and Kia Soul, scroll down. We also have the magazine's video reviews of the crossover pair in video form, so have a look.
Continue reading Honda CR-V edges Mazda CX-5 in Consumer Reports small CUV test [w/video]
