The MX-5 Superlight is the star of the Mazda stand at the Frankfurt show. While a recall of the past, it also shows modernity and innovation. It’s sole focus is weight, and losing it, and shows the direction that Mazda is taking in terms of developing new technologies.

Below are the full details of the MX-5 Superlight, along with a photo gallery where you can also see the RX-8 hydrogen project.

Continue reading: Mazda MX-5 Superlight pics from Frankfurt

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The Mazda MX-5 Superlight speedster concept will appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a prototype to celebrate the 20th birthday of Mazda’s MX-5 spider model. The idea is to exploit the power-weight ratio by producing a lightweight car of 995 kg. A few things are clearly missing, like the windshield for instance, to achieve this weight, though other interesting aspects have been included, for example the seats are carbon fibre shells.

The engine remains the same at 1.8-litres and 125 hp with an acceleration time of 8.9 seconds to reach 100 km/hr. The overall body is also lower and wider, and the MX-5 Superlight should draw a few crowds at this year’s show.

Continue reading: Mazda MX-5 Superlight pics

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The Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sports car. The concept is a pared-back design with no windshield for pure driving fun.

The chassis has been modified and the sports design shows no roof and smooth aerodynamics. The design has been produced by Mazda’s German studio and the lightweight model should prove beneficial to fuel consumption and emissions figures.

While more details will be released next month, we doubt that the MX-5 Superlight will become a production model, but then you never know. Only time will tell.

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The MX-5 turns 20 this year and these pics show the special version designed to celebrate the anniversary. The MX-5 20th Anniversary edition will be available in both Roadster and Roadster Coupé versions, with the cabrio having a soft top and the coupé having a folding metal roof.

The MX-5 has a snazzy interior with Recaro leather seats in twin tone black and red. Externally the special edition MX-5 is fitted with new lights and 17-inch wheels. The vehicle is currently available in 60 countries, and sinch 1989, about 860,000 models have been sold. See the gallery below for a look at the world’s most sold spider over time.

Continue reading: Mazda MX-5 20th anniversary edition

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Many of us on the net were excited about the prospect of a Mazda RX-8 restyling to be presented at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, but unfortunately the presentation is the German market debut of the RX-8 with the R3 sports package.

It’s equipped with a 1.3-litre aspirated engine at 231 hp. CarScoop has run the German press release for those who were still holding a last hope to see an RX-8 facelift. Extracts from the release and a full gallery below.

Continue reading: No restyling for Mazda RX-8: German debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

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Drive magazine has taken a look at some of the best vehicles for the snow, but which have enough city and off-road features to keep people happy, and looking good in both urban and and off-road settings.

Some of the usual “lifestyle” vehicles and faux off-road models such as the Audi Q5, Renault Koleos, Land Rover Freelander or Volvo XC60 may suit for snow and ice driving condictions. Audi and Volvo often come across with some of the best AWD options, having sedans, hatchbacks, wagons and offroads throughout the range which can give you all the four wheel effect you want.

But which are the cars that really stand out? There are a few surprises in the list, which includes: the Mazda3 (for its stability control), the Nissan Dualis, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Subaru Liberty/Outback. In fact, given Subaru has all wheel drive across its range, any old one will do. The Audi A6 allroad wagon gets itself on the list, as does the Volvo XC60 and the Lexus RX350.

For full details, see Drive.com.au.

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Mazda was at the Geneva show with its new Mazda 3 MPS in bright red, proving the confidence of the company, who has defined its future as rosy despite the current economic downturn.

The nifty looking hatchback has a whole 260hp which should certainly give it an edge in this competitive segment. Mazda has also been working on the i-stop with a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine with SISS (Smart Idel Stop System), for an ecological boost to its range.

The restyled CX-7 was also worth a look, now equipped with a 2.0 litre diesel engine at 173 hp and 400Nm of torque.

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Mazda has presented its new Mazda 3 Hatchback at the Bologna motor show. It could prove to be a strategic move in the Italian car market, as one in three Mazdas sold in Italy is a Mazda 3, with 26,000 sales of the previous model in Italy, and 1.8 million sold around the world.

The style is completele updated, with some elements taken from the Mazda 3 sedan version that was previously seen at the Los Angeles motor show. The aerodynamics have been improved and there has been an increase in dimension, with the car measuring 4.46 metres in length and 1.47 metres high. The overall weight has decresed by 15 kg, however, compared to the previous model, following the trend set by the Mazda 2.

The hatch includes front McPherson suspension and a new rear multilink suspension, while ABS, EBD and TCS traction control are included, together with DSC balance control. Optionals include the new RVM (Rear Vehicle Monitoring system) and adaptable bi-xeno headlights.

Continue reading: New Mazda 3 hatchback at the Bologna motor show

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At the Sydney Motor Show currently underway, Mazda has presented a preview of the Mazda3 sedan, with the video above. The car will be officially presented at Los Angeles, but given its success on the Australian market, the preview happened at the Sydney show.

The preview was presented by Philip Spender, Mazda Executive Vice President, saying that the five-door version will debut on the European market sometime after November this year. We like this three-door version, and hope to see an introduction at the Bologna show…

Source | Car Scoop

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These first shots of the Mazda MX-5 restyling have escaped from the company’s hands, despite plans to release them later, most likely during the press days at the Paris motor show.

The gallery includes shots of the Roadster with fabric roof, and the Roadster Coupè. On both you can see the new work done on the front air intakes, headlights and rear spoiler, while the interior is more conservative and reflects a modern design.

We’ll have to wait for the opening of the Paris show to find out the technical details.

Continue reading: Paris 2008: official photo gallery of Mazda MX-5 restyling

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