We love driving Mazdas, but taking and sharing awesome shots of Mazdaspeeds, Miatas, and every other Mazda is the next best thing.
One of the best parts of our job is seeing so many sick rides from our customers, and we wanted to share a few of our favorite Instagram accounts. Are we missing any? If you want to be featured in the future, or in our Instagram Pic of the Day, tag us and use the #CorkSport hashtag.
We’ve seen rumors about the next Mazdaspeed float around for the past two years on a consistent basis. The only thing more consistently seen is the question of when it will arrive.
This year?
Next year?
Next decade?
Recent reports have stated that the 2015 Frankfurt Auto show (which takes place in September) is going to have the concept of the all-new Mazdaspeed 3.
If so, this could be our first glimpse at the next generation of our favorite turbo Mazda! I wouldn’t hold your breath for too much info, though. Whether a new MS3 will debut or not, this will probably just be a concept car for eye candy. I would expect details on the car to be at least another year out.
In the meantime, we still believe the rumors that the next generation Mazdaspeed 3 should be soon. Stats like 300hp, AWD, hatchback, and a price tag of about $30,000-$35,000 get thrown around a lot. Mazda will probably use the 2.5L SkyActiv engine, which could be fantastic since that would mean placing a turbo on a current 2.5L SkyActiv would not only be possible, but hopefully relatively simple.
Let’s all hope for the best, and maybe we will see a concept and more info in September!
Stay Tuned!
-Spencer
*Prices reflect the current pricing at the time of the blog writing
Could We Have a NEW Mazdaspeed This Year? December 17th, 2018CorkSport
Feel like your SkyActiv-powered Mazda is lacking a bit of throttle response and driver feedback?
We hear you, that’s why we’re introducing the all new CorkSport Race Rear Motor Mount for 2014+ Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, as well as 2013+ Mazda CX-5.
Manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum and anodized, the CorkSport Race RMM is strong, durable, and lightweight. What truly sets the CorkSport Race RMM apart from the competition goes to the 70a polyurethane. This RMM does not use polyurethane inserts that can loosen up and degrade. The 70a polyurethane is poured directly into the mount for a permanent bond with the aluminum body and bushing collar.
More than a handful of prototypes have been tested to ensure that the product arriving at your door is the very best it can be. We tested different durometer polyurethane from 60a to 80a (as well as different bushing sizes) to find the maximum improvement of throttle response and driver feedback without excessive noise, vibration, and harshness. Check out one of the prototypes below.
Now you might be thinking: “How does a motor mount improve throttle response and driver feedback?” In FWD vehicles it is typical for the engine to be oriented in a transverse layout. This means the engine is parallel to the axle centerline, whereas in a longitudinal layout (typical of V8’s and RWD vehicles) the engine is perpendicular to the axle centerline. Anyway, the engine/transmission applies a rotational force (torque) to the drive shafts, in turn rotating the wheels/tires forward.
“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” – Newton’s third law of motion.
The amount of torque applied to the wheels is equal and opposite to what is applied to the engine itself, but what keeps the engine from just rotating? Enter the engine mounts. Unfortunately, the OEM engine mounts are very soft, so the engine is able to move and rotate substantially while driving. This makes for a very plush ride inside the cab, but sacrifices throttle response, driver feedback, and really the general driving experience. Replacing the RMM drastically reduces the amount of rotation the engine is allowed which in turn forces more of the engine’s torque to the tires sooner instead of just rotating the engine in the engine bay. This holds true for any action that affects the engine: throttle inputs, up-shifting, down-shifting…etc.
Who wants a small, practical, cheap, gas efficient car?
Everyone, right?
If that’s really true we will point you towards the new Mazda 2 that should be available in the USA in just a short amount of time. We think it’s a great-looking car that will be fun to drive and easy on the gas budget.
The problem with the Mazda 2, though, is that people seem to love sedans in the USA. Why? I’m not sure. The practicality of a hatchback seem to far outweigh any benefit (Maybe looks? Maybe?) of the sedan. Hatches have more storage room, more headroom, more trunk space, and get the same exact gas mileage usually. Nonetheless, we have proven again and again that we prefer sedans in America, so what do you do?
The answer is simple: Buy a Scion.
Buy a Scion? Really? Why would a Mazda performance parts company tell me to buy a Scion!?
Easy: The new Scion iA is actually just a Mazda 2 that is a sedan version and re-badged as a Scion. According to jalopnik.com, “This iA is actually more Mazda than Toyota, based on Mazda’s SkyActiv platform and sharing a lot of its guts with the new Mazda 2.”
It sure looks like a small Mazda 3, and the fact that it will be badged Scion is a good thing! Not only does this mean that you can essentially buy a Mazda 2 Sedan that Mazda won’t be offering in the US officially, but it has two other aspects that we really like.
One, a partnership between Toyota/Scion and Mazda means that hopefully the iA can use all the same parts we develop for the Mazda 2. This means we should reach a new audience that wouldn’t typically be aware of our parts.
Two, a partnership between Toyota/Scion and Mazda means that Mazda should be selling more cars, even if it is under the name Scion and through a partnership. This means extra revenue and thus, more money to put toward cars like the next Mazdaspeed or Rotary. Mazda has always been a smaller player in the automotive world and so a partnership to get more people in a “Mazda” (even if they are buying it as a Scion) will benefit the brand overall and bring more money to them. This is a win-win we believe!
So keep an eye out! This could be one of the next big sellers, and you can be “in-the-know” that Mazda will be selling a Sedan Mazda 2 badged Scion.
Guaranteed to be a perfect fit, this radiator panel was designed using a 3D coordinate measuring arm and CAD modeling software. The 3D arm is used to gather the exact measurements of the vehicle and then inputs those measurements directly into our CAD modeling software. From there, we designed a prototype and began the iterative test and fit process.
Each piece is CNC laser cut from a 5052 aluminum sheet and powder-coated with a durable textured finish. This finish is resistant to scratching, chipping, color fade, and has a satin look to it, which can make your whole engine bay as stunning as the rest of your Mazdaspeed 3.
And did we mention the best part? It only takes a few minutes to install, adding an extra level of detail that every Mazda head deserves. Our radiator panel is currently available in ruby red and charcoal black, order yours today, here.
-Derrick, CS
The New CorkSport 2010-2013 Mazdaspeed 3 Radiator Panel December 17th, 2018CorkSport
