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2014 MX-5 Going SkyActiv Turbo

We have blogged about what’s to come for the 2014 Mazda MX-5 in the past. At the time it was reported that the MX-5 Miata was going to be lighter than the current model by around 720 lbs and when I reported on this last August, the word was that the MX-5 would come with a 1.5-liter SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine that would produce up to 160 horsepower and would be mated to a six-speed manual transmission with an option to change to a dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission.

It appears though that Mazda still has not settled on which engine will make its way into the next generation MX-5. Auto Guide reported last month that the engine originally planned for the MX-5 didn’t cut it and neither did a version of their current SkyActiv 2.0L four-cylinder engine. The 1.5 did not meet Mazda’s performance requirements and the 2.0L didn’t have the fuel economy.

So what now? Well it seems that the solution may come in the form of a 1.8L SkyActiv four-cylinder 1.3L or 1.5L turbo-charged engine. The new turbo engine will employ SkyActiv technologies like variable cam phasing with lower friction parts to boost performance and fuel economy and will also be mated to reduced-friction transmissions.

Whichever powerplant Mazda decides on, you can expect the car to produce roughly 150 hp with about a 10-percent improvement in fuel economy from the current MX-5’s (22 city/28 highway mpg). The new Miata is scheduled to make a debut by mid-2014 and will be priced under $25,000.

Gwynne-

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Product Release! CorkSport SkyActiv Mazda 3 Power Series Single Exit Exhaust

CorkSport is pleased to expand our single exit exhaust offering to include the new Mazda 3 SkyActiv model!

The CorkSport Power Series Single Exit 60mm Exhaust has been designed to work with both the 2010+ sedans and hatchback trim standard 2.0 liter and SkyActiv engine models.

Featuring dual resonators, a slip fit compression connection to the aft end of the catalytic converter and a single tailpipe design, the CorkSport Mazda 3 exhaust replaces the factory tailpipe muffler with polished 2.4 ID stainless steel piping and non-resonated CorkSport dual wall 90mm exhaust tip.

During testing with the CorkSport SRI and single exit exhaust on the 2.0 liter model, the CorkSport Mazda 3 Power Series Single Exit Exhaust went from a baseline of 118hp/110lb ft. of torque to a respectable 135hp and 123lb ft. of torque at the wheels.

The 2.0L results are moderate at the bottom end (with around a 4-5hp/tq gain) below 4000rpm with the majority of the power coming on rapidly at around 4500rpm and held steadily to the 7000rpm redline demonstrating the constrained nature of the stock system for the smaller 2.0L engine.

As with all of our CorkSport exhausts, the Power Series Mazda 3 single exit design features mandrel bent, polished stainless steel T304 construction for corrosion resistance and a clean stylish look. It has a distinctive performance sound that is mild but noticeable at cruise and idle and a distinctive growl at wide open throttle and free rev.

The CorkSport Power Series Mazda 3 SkyActiv Exhaust includes an optional 60mm racepipe with or without high flow catalytic converter that attaches between the factory header downpipe flange and the front compression fitting of the cat-back portion of the exhaust system

The CorkSport Power Series Mazda 3 SkyActiv Single Exit Exhaust is great for your hatchback model. For more information and complete pricing, please visit our product listing page at https://www.corksport.com/corksport-power-series-exhaust-system-mazda-3.html

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The Journey from Concept Car to Production

the recently released Mazda CX5 has been met with rave reviews for both its styling, ride quality and fuel efficiency and initial sales of the vehicle reflect that. In Japan Mazda has sold 8000 units in the first month with an expectation of only selling 1000.

When the first rumors came out about the CX5 years ago there was picture of a vehicle released which you can see below.

The picture was essentially Mazda 3 with Mazda 2 headlights and some changes made to the body of the vehicle to give the general idea of what Mazda was shooting in a small cross over SUV.

The actual concept compact SUV was since designed fresh from the ground up with no hand-me-down components so when the vehicle concept debuted, the Minagi, it reflected Mazda’s transition to the KODO style.

There are several styling effects on the car which you can tell would not make it to production, for example the mirrors and the bar across the headlights, but it really showed what the CX5 was going to be.

The released CX5 below is the final production vehicle which has been on sale now for a month.

Almost all of the body styling from the Minagi concept stayed on the production vehicle. The headlights were changed to meet government regulations and the showy mirrors were replaced with something more practical that would survive a hit from another car, wall, or inanimate object.

For the replacement of the current Mazda 6 we have been teased with pictures and concept vehicles but looking at them you can really see what we are going to get for a new Mazda 6. Mazda showed off the Shinari concept car back in 2010 seen below.

This was a great concept vehicle with really accentuated Kodo styling shown off in a very aggressive way. This is also a pretty big jump from the current Mazda 6 styling that makes the current Mazda 6 it look really dated.

The Takeri concept which was introduced last fall at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show was confirmed to be the redesigned 2014 Mazda 6 by Mazda executives at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

In this concept vehicle, the roof line grew from the chopped top look for the original concept as well as some cleaned up styling areas around the front bumper and the grille area.

Looking at the jump between the Minagi and the CX5 you can get a good idea of what the new Mazda 6 will look like when it is released. The headlights will be changed a little bit, the mirrors will get changed to a different style and DOT crash bumpers would round out the changes.

Based on the release of the Cx5 and the what we can see of the Takeri concept, the new Mazda 6 will be a good-looking car. The production version of the new Mazda 6 will be unveiled this fall at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, and the car will go on sale in spring 2013..

-Derrick

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Product Release! CorkSport LED 3rd Brake Light for 2010+ Mazda3 Sedan

CorkSport is pleased to announce the release of the 2010+ Mazda 3 Sedan third brake light for your trunk lid!

The CorkSport Mazda 3 Sedan 3rd Brake Light will enhance the look of your lights with a direct replacement LED brake light for the trunk of the Mazda 3 sedan. This premium quality light assembly includes nine LED lights in the lens and has been built for durability and reliability. Precision manufactured to match the OEM factory specifications, the CorkSport LED Trunk Light is easy to install is the perfect addition to your Mazda 3 sedan.

As with all of our CorkSport parts, the Mazda 3 Sedan LED 3rd Brake Light comes with a limited two year warranty, full color installation instructions, and knowledgeable telephone support.

It can be purchased at www.corksport.com for just $69.00.

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Featured Car of the Month – Tony’s 2011 Speed3

Mazdaspeed 3’s are a rarity in Mexico. Only 500 are imported a year, so when Tony decided to buy his 2011 Mazdaspeed 3, it took three months for the car to arrive.

Tony has been a car fanatic since he was very young. He learned to drive at the age of eight with a set of pillows and coke cans so he could reach the pedals and at age 12, this Mexico native started driving his first 1947 Ford F1.

Tony drove German cars for the better part of his life and even raced amateur and DE in TX in a 2005 911GT3, but when he decided to get a new car in 2010, he looked at some of the vehicles that were not available in the US like the Puget 307 and the Alfa, but at the end of the day it came down to two cars, the Speed3 and the Focus RS. What swayed him to the Speed3? After a lot of research and decided he wanted a car that had a good performance support from companies like CorkSport!

When his car finally arrived in Mexico, he got straight work on his mod’s. He started by adding a CorkSport Stage II Power Series Short Ram Intake and CorkSport Airbox, CorkSport DISI Silicone Boost Tubes and Silicone Bypass Valve Hose, and a Forge stock location recirculation valve. He also added a large top mount intercooler and downpipe along with upgrading his fuel pump.

He upgraded his lighting with the CorkSport LED DRL kit, LED Interior Light Kit, and LED Underhood Light Kit and adjusted the drivetrain with a short shifter and engine mounts.

To improve handling Tony added a CorkSport Mazdaspeed 3 Front Sway Bar and Front Tower bar, a CorkSport Adjustable Rear Sway Bar and CorkSport Lowering Springs. To compliment his TSW wheels, he added CorkSport Lightweight Lug Nuts.

“After the suspension was done on the car, the change was so dramatic that it felt like it handled as well as the GT3” said Tony, “The first time I tested it out on the open road in Mexico, I blew by a couple of AMG 6.3’s and M3’s. The look on the the owners faces in my rear view mirror was priceless!”

Tony has no projects for the speed 3 planned until he moves back to the states, but as far as we are concerned, CorkSport is well represented in Mexico when Tony is around!

Gwynne