boowana

MAZDA
New product: Mazda2.

The successor to the Demio, the Mazda2 shares a platform with the Ford Fiesta and Fusion and will be built at the Ford plant in Valencia, Spain. It will go on sale in April. Mazda also will show a 280-hp version of the Mazda6 from Mazda Performance Systems.

New concepts: None.

Talking point: The Mazda6 has had a surprisingly strong reception in the European marketplace; sales are 42 percent higher than the initial target. Mazda is waiting until the Detroit show for the worldwide debut of its halo car, the RX8.




This quote is out of Autoweek's Electronic Newsletter today, September 23, 2002.

Toadman

There's a strong chance that it will be the AWD Mazdaspeed 6 also.

Hercules

What I'm wondering is if that's a turboed 4, so it can get into some WRC

Would be fun to see hehe

Grimace

Why the angry faces boo?

Rich

Sweet! It's great to heat that the Mazda6 is doing well in Europe. It sounds like a pretty cool car, except for the FWD part.

boowana

The angry faces have to do with not getting more information sooner at eh Paris Auto Show.

The Mazda 6 stuff is cool.:p

bolda48

From what I've heard it will be a turbo 4 for the MPS6. I haven't heard anything about the WRC though. Won't it be funny if Mazda beats the STI and the EVO to release?

sheylen

The Mazda6 MPS has a turbo-charged, direct-injection version of the 2.3-litre petrol engine delivering 280 bhp and 266 lb ft of torque, four-wheel drive with active torque control and a limited-slip differential, and a short-throw six-speed manual gearbox. The suspension, already sporty on the standard models, has been fine-tuned and the car's body rigidity has been increased. It sits on lightweight aluminium wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 18-inch tyres. ABS brakes and dynamic stability control (DSC) are also fitted. Styled in Europe at Mazda's Oberursel R&D centre near Munich, it has a new version of Mazda's five-pointed grille, an air intake similar to that of the RX-8 coupe, an enlarged front bumper and rear spoiler, flared wheel-arches and special Silver Storm paintwork. Inside, its black-finished cabin has blue and metallic instruments, aluminium switches, black and white leather seats, keyless entry, and the year's must-have feature, a starter button. (www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=220&pageid=4653)

sheylen

For road test of the Mazda 2 go to http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?l...&storyid=1613.

fuz

I always knew the 6 was a sweet car. I'm glad that there's facts that the public agrees with me. :D

That MPS 6 looks sick. Man, talk about a family hauler. Screw the Audi S6, I want that!

Grimace

If the Mazda 6 doesn't sell as well in North America as it does in Europe, then what will that say for North American driving habits? I'm tired of us getting floaty, softer sedans and sports cars compared to what Europe and Japan (heck, the rest of the world) gets.

RotaryJay

I personally feel that the 6 is a hot looking sedan. Compare it to the 626... well, there is no camparison!

I just want Mazda (as a whole) to be successful with ALL of their cars. If Mazda could become a giant like Honda, Nissan or Toyota... Rotary engines could be the norm, not the exception...

bulletproof21

Man, I was really hoping to get more information about the 8 at the paris auto show next month. When is the Detroit auto show?

zoom44

the naias in detroit is not until february or march!

Red Devil

Is it for sure that the MPS 6 is coming to North America?

If so, that along with the RX-8 would really solidify Mazda's image as a sports car oriented company here in America.

irresistibo

I like the sound of the MPS 6, it sounds like a really desirable car, considering that the 6's styling is far superior to other companies. I wish they would just get it straight and make it a RWD. Personally i dont think the 6 belongs in WRC. They should leave that to smaller cars liek the Focus, Citroen or Peugeot. I think they are doing better than the WRX or the LAncer in WRC anyway. I would like to see the 6 as a moderately priced, RWD BMW killer. THat would be the ultimate niche in the automotive industry. I think alot of people would be interested in buying the car. If MAzda takes its zoom zoom campaign seriously they would definately have to consider making the 6 a rwd car with serious amounts of fun. Then they could make a phat coupe and call it a Mx-6 or somthing along those lines. I personally liked the MX-6, at least its styling, dont know much else about the car though.

Jerome81

North American International Auto Show in Detroit is January 5 - January 20, with the public show the 11th - 20th. Cobo Hall. If I'm ever fortunate enough to live in Detroit, or near Detroit, I will go to this auto show before I die

As far as the Mazdaspeed6, I can't wait to see that car. I think they did a superb job on the the Mazdaspeed Protege, everything but the orange paint, and a spoiler that is a bit too wild (though not too far over the top). If they could do what they did to the Protege, and keep it with a nice small spoiler, rather than a wing, that car will kill.

As far as WRC, I don't believe they can use the MS6 because of engine size. I'm not a WRC know it all, not even close, but I think the rules state that you cannot have over a 2.0L engine. That is why the Subaru WRX uses a 2.0L with huge turbo, rather than their 2.5L H4 turbo. WRC won't allow that engine to run. Same reason the Evolution VII uses 2.0L turbo. So, with the Mazdaspeed6 looking to have a 2.3L I4, I think that puts them out of the running. However, they have a 2.0L version of that same I4 family, maybe they could use that if they really wanted to.

Hercules

Zoom Zoom

Grimace

Jerome is correct. WRC regulations limit engine size to 2.0L.

(I'm a WRC junkie.)

Hercules

Ya learn something new every day

The 6 is a rather large car against the WRX and Evo anyways :P

wakeech

exactly what i was about to say as i was reading down this thread... the 6 is WAAAAAAAAY too big to be competetive... just look at Skoda's offering, the Octavia!! AHAHAHAA!! and it's probably not even as big (or at the largest, same size) as the new 6...

i think Subaru's current spec WRC engine is simply an evolution of their last boxer H4 platform, and a totally different engine was designed only for the production car, while the race squad still work from the old design... i think
but hasn't and isn't the production Evo just a 2.0L anyway?? i know nothing about Mitsu's ('cause i just don't like their design philosophy and style...)

Hercules

You aint the only one ... :P

Grimace

The Mitsubishi is a 2.0L as well. Naturally aspirated on the Lancer (120HP), turbocharged on the EVO's (~280 HP).

wakeech

ya, i can't understand how they can still make a reliable car pumping out more than twice as much power from the same block... unless the NA is a real POS, or the turbo one isn't reliable...

Red Devil

I follow that Wakeech, I don't trust a 120hp engine tuned to accomodate 280hp through forced induction. Can Mitsu, and Subaru, not do variable valve timing like everyone else?

I believe more in the classic saying, "There's no replacement for displacement."

Unless you're driving a rotary:D