Mazda
List: Top 25 Power-Dense Powerplants
Power density may not be in the lexicon of the average gearhead, but this idea is arguably as important as power-to-weight ratios and zero-to-sixty times. Power density, also known as specific engine output, is the amount of power produced by each liter the engine displaces. It is expressed in terms of horsepower per liter (hp/L). Automakers, especially those of performance vehicles, strive to hit the magical 100 horsepower-per-liter mark, which is where the recognized range of serious sports cars start.
I Want To Go Racing: Getting Started
Racing is something that people tend to think is expensive or only for professionals. Well, truth be told, it’s not. For interested beginners, all that’s really needed is the entrance fee to your local motorsports venue in your pocket and your daily driver. You don’t need any kind of racing experience for many events and you don’t need a sports car (although having one can make events so much more fun).
Driven: 2010 Mazda MX-5 PRHT
The Mazda MX-5 (it isn’t a Miata anymore) has grown up. What started as a simple revival of the classic British roadster has blossomed into a usable, everyday car. Our tester is the Grand Touring trim with the optional Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT). Not exactly traditional MX-5, but we won’t complain about the all-weather ability of the tin top, or the heated leather seats (it may be July, but those seats would really extend convertible season).
Throw Down: Mazda RX-8 R3 Stands All
We were recently lucky enough to have Mazda’s RX-8 R3 in the Winding Road office for a week. Truly touched by the car’s utter brilliance for a relatively small sum of money, Editorial Director Tom Martin declared that he could justify the Mazda’s abilities versus any sporting car on sale today.
Quick Drive: Mazda CX-7s Grand Touring AWD
I remember that Mazda’s first ads for the CX-7 touted it as a cross between a sports car and an SUV. Allowing for some inevitable poetic license, I’d say those ads were at least half true.
Driven: $30K Sedans – Mazda6, Volkswagen CC, and Chevrolet Malibu
What do $30K sedans tell us about the state of mass-market car-making, circa 2010?
Quick Drive: 2010 Mazda6 s Grand Touring
In the most basic sense the Mazda6 s Grand Touring probably doesn’t fall in middle of the target zone for most Winding Road readers. That’s because the Mazda6 isn’t really about driving dynamics. The Mazda’s driving dynamics aren’t bad, but a driver would have to say they aren’t good either (punch, grip, and feel are present in modest amounts).
Keepers: Mazda Miata MX-5—Community
There’s good news and bad news for Miata enthusiasts looking for club based camaraderie with which to share their roadster excitement. Despite being one of the most popular two-seat sports cars in the world, there is no single American Miata organization. This wasn’t always the case—the Miata Club of America served as a traditional owners club from 1989 through 2000, and when that organization went out of business, Mazda created the manufacturer-backed Miata Owners Club in 2001. That venture only lasted a year and a half, leaving Miata gearheads to rely on local clubs for their fix of automotive bliss.
Keepers: Mazda Miata MX-5—Shopping
The nice thing about the Mazda Miata is that no matter which flavor you go for, they all pretty much have that same elemental feel to them. In our first Miata piece we mentioned focusing on the second generation cars—they preserve that first generation featherweight feel while offering extra horsepower, tweaked handling, and a handsome list of available equipment akin to the current generation Miata. Yes, there’s something to be said for the character of the original car, and we know many Miata purists consider luxury items and safety systems to be automotive heresy, but the reality is the second generation Miata is just a damn fine automobile, and of the three generations on the market, it’s the one we would did pick.
Keepers: Mazda Miata MX-5
If we could choose only one car to represent the epitome of Winding Road’s philosophy, well, it wouldn’t be the Miata. But you can bet your driving gloves and designer sunglasses that the little Mazda would be in the top five, maybe even in the top three. Few cars in the past 20 years have captured the essence of basic, undiluted driving enjoyment as well as the Miata, and it should come as no surprise that this outstanding little machine isn’t just a Keeper, but an icon among motoring purists around the world.
List: Top Ten Performance Bargains
In this list, we detail ten cars that really get you the most bang for your buck. Some of these aren’t the most wallet-friendly of cars, but when it comes down to what class they compete in, you’d be hard pressed to find something just as good for the same price.
Japan Sees Facelifted Mazda6
Today, Mazda revealed the newest version of the Atenza, called the Mazda6 here in the U.S., which is on sale today in Japan. Japan gets three styles of the facelifted car—Sedan, Sport, and Sport Wagon.
Spy Shots: The Chevrolet Orlando Is On The Horizon
Here are the latest spy shots of the Chevrolet Orlando, a compact CUV-ish MPV. Seen here in winter testing, it should be making its debut very soon.
2011 Mazda5 To Debut At This Year’s Geneva Motor Show
We’ve often said that the Mazda5 is one of the most overlooked cars on the road today. To the naked eye, it’s pure minivan, but its small proportions and Mazda3 platform mean it’s actually quite fun to drive and is a relatively useful package. The small MPV segment will grow over the next few years in the United States, and Mazda will be ready with an all-new version of the 5, set to make its official debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Driven: 2010 Mazda3 i Touring
Having already familiarized ourselves with the Mazda3 s (not to mention the devilishly fun Mazdaspeed3), we got the chance to get behind the wheel of the 2010 Mazda3 i Touring. Of course, we were interested to see how the small-displacement engine, only available in the four-door version, contributed to the overall driving experience of the beloved 3.
Secondhand Gems: $10K Winter Second Cars
Many of us who choose to enjoy the fruits of dedicated performance vehicles also know the value of having a second vehicle on-hand. Those of us in four-season climates also understand the necessity of piloting something a bit more winter-friendly, if for no other reason than to keep our expensive, fair-weather ride out of the salt and slush.
Los Angeles 2009: U.S.-Spec 2011 Mazda2 Shows Its Face
If you feel like you’ve already seen the Mazda2 today, it’s because you have, by way of the 2011 Ford Fiesta. No matter, though — we’re sure that like other Ford/Mazda collaborations, the 2 will be unique enough to set it apart from the festive Ford on the road.
Driven: 2010 Mazdaspeed3
Our love of the Mazdaspeed3 can be traced back with a very exact timeline, as it first bloomed about 30 seconds after we ignited the engine on our maiden voyage in it. Back in October of 2006 we lauded the first generation Speed3 as, “The most complete front-drive compact yet,” and were left certainly stunned at the car’s combination of price and performance. Three years and one generation on, and we’re tempted to conclude that Mazda still has the best thing going in the hot hatch game, by a long shot, though clearly not a car that is all things to all people. Which is probably a good thing.
Keepers: Mazda RX-7—Community
As one would expect with niche, Japanese tuner cars such as the RX-7, there exists a very dedicated enthusiast community that loves to tweak, tune, and show these cars off every bit as much as driving them.
Keepers: Mazda RX-7—Shopping
There’s a good deal of trepidation among first-time Mazda RX-7 shoppers, especially when it comes to the twin-turbo FD-series. The unique rotary engine comes with its own set of issues that generally stem from abuse or poor maintenance, so the key to getting the most from an FD-series RX-7 is knowing how to properly take care of it. Excessive heat is a quick killer for these cars, and the stock temperature gauge doesn’t do a great job of relaying vital information in time to prevent disaster. The under hood hoses are prone to drying out and cracking, so inspect them carefully and if there’s any sign of damage, be wary of potential engine problems as a result from overheating. Most RX-7 owners replace the stock hoses with high-temp silicone hoses that can better withstand the heat, so consider their replacement a good thing. Aftermarket temperature gauges are also common, and though these cars never came with a factory boost gauge, they’re a common addition as well.
Keepers: Mazda RX-7
A perennial favorite of sports car enthusiasts worldwide, the Mazda RX-7 exemplifies the epitome of balanced handling, graceful lines, and communicative controls; three very important ingredients in creating a quintessential driver’s car. As good as the early-generation RX-7s were however, they still lacked a key fourth ingredient—power.
Categories
Most Popular
