With the 2013 Mazda 3’s still being delivered at dealerships why are we talking about the 2015’s already? Well, one reason is that we’re just so excited, another is that people have already been doing rendered drawings but the most important is that we are starting to see actual versions driven in the wild being tested by Mazda.
First we were treated to a very nice rendering seen in Car and Driver based on the great looking CX5
And then we now see actual test mules being driven around and torture tested.
Now we get to speculate, will it have more Ford influence? Less? Will it follow the “Kodo” design language that Mazda has been cultivating for years? Will Mazda lovers approve? What will the Mazdaspeed version be like? Whatever the answers are, with all these new releases one thing is for sure; it’s a great time to be a Mazda fanatic!
2015 Mazda 3 Coming Soon?? February 13th, 2013CorkSport
With all the talk of the new Mazda 6 Sky-D being released here in the US and the released Cx5 Sky-D in other markets around the world, I got to thinking about all of the fun modifications you could make to the 2.2 dual turbocharged Sky-D Engine.
If you look at the arrangement of the turbo setup on the Sky-D engine, you can see the whole setup is pretty convoluted to 1) keep costs down and 2) package everything in a tight space so you do not burn the insulation and paint off the firewall.
A more comprehensive view of the set-up shows how large the catalyst is that Mazda used in order to meet the strict emissions for diesels in the European market.
Looking over the setup I can see several improvements which could be made to increase the power output of the engine through work on the exhaust side. If you take a look at the engine Mazda announced with the press release about running in the Grand-am GX class with the Sky-D engine, they simplified the twin turbo setup on the engine by setting the turbo arrangement in a more traditional configuration using one turbo to feed the other unlike the stock setup where both turbos feed a common plenum.
The advantage of the race engine is that you are running an intercooler before the second turbo to make the most of the cooling and then you can run the charge from the second turbo into an additional intercooler from there. While the race setup is nice, it isn’t practical for most people on street driven vehicles. I would look at changing the turbo outlet package with a better and smoother flowing downpipe and integrate the catalyst at an angle which is not 90 degrees to the exhaust entry and exit.
Looking at the production turbo setup that Mazda is showing with the new Mazda 6, there are differences in the packaging of the turbos. You can see that Mazda changed the actuators to be more compact against the back of the engine.
Based on the size of the parts, I bet you can squeeze a Garrett GTX35 on the back of the engine and hit a solid 400 hp and 600 wheel torque with some upgraded injectors and pump. When I get one I will have to try it out and report back on how it goes. Incidentally here is a picture of the production Mazda 6 Skyactiv-D engine I wanted to share.
With that monster catalyst relocated, you get a large empty space on the back of the engine which would be perfect for a large waste gate and all of the needed piping to hit that 400hp number. You can imagine the surprise on someone’s face watching a Cx5 walk all over them on the street or the freeway.
The CX-9 is not exactly the model you think of when it comes to a mod car. As a matter of fact, CorkSport doesn’t even list the CX-9 in our catalog, but for those of you thinking about starting a family or carting your brood to soccer games on Saturday, this may be just the vehicle for you!
The new 2014 Mazda CX-9 was unveiled this week ahead of its Australian debut and I figured it was worth a mention, even if it is just to see how the KODO design is being incorporated into the product line.
Replacing the Nagare design language with the new sportier KODO design has done the front of the vehicle some good. The grille is much improved with more aerodynamic headlights and fog light housings, along with some sportier LED daytime running lights, but the front overhang detracts from the sportiness and likely the handling of the vehicle. They have not given us a view of the back or interior yet so some of the design elements in the new version remain a mystery.
The word is that the SUV will be carrying over the same Ford-based CD3 platform and keeping the 3.7 liter V-6, 273 horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission. It will be interesting to see how Mazda intends to incorporate SkyActiv technology into CX-5’s older and bigger brother in the coming years, but for now, the family-friendly seven seater will continue to get just 19 mpg in combined EPA fuel economy.
Now Mazda, what we really want is any details on a new Mazdaspeed!
Gwynne –
Wipe That Smile off Your Face CX-9! September 18th, 2012CorkSport
Mazda already confirmed the redesigned Mazda 6 sedan will be making its debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show this fall, but has said little about the new wagon model.
Last week however, the company provided us with a first look at the new Mazda 6 wagon that has been kept well under wraps by the Japanese automaker and is now expected to debut at the Moscow Motor Show at the end of August.
Photos, courtesy of Car Advice, show a design inspired by the Takeri concept that has little in common with the current model. It includes a new bigger grille and swept back headlights that give it a more aggressive feel.
The tighter window line adds to the sportiness of the vehicle and the previously mostly clear tail lights have been upgraded with slimmer, dark red fixtures.
The interior center console looks similar to the CX-5 touring package or upgraded sport package that includes the large color touch screen monitor with built in navigation and blue tooth enabled audio package.
The Mazda 6 will be equipped with the new SkyActiv technology and will also include the new i-ELOOP regenerative braking system, which Mazda says will improve fuel economy by 10%.
There have not been any sightings of the sedan as of yet, but Mazda did provide a little glimpse in a video they posted to YouTube on July 10th. The 21 second video definitely leaves you wanting to see more.
One thing is quite evident from this short clip though; this model is shaping up to be something spectacular!
Gwynne-
Mazda 6 Wagon Redesign Sneak Peek February 25th, 2019CorkSport
Mazda has already made the announcement that they intend to begin offering the Mazda SkyActiv-D (diesel engine) on the CX-5 in the US market in 2013 and as a leader in the motorsports arena, it should come as no surprise that the latest announcement surrounding their new SkyActiv diesel technology comes on the racetrack.
Mazda announced that they will be supplying SkyActiv-D engines to the GRAND-AM series GX class. Set to debut in 2013, the rules for the GX class are still being developed, but are expected to showcase the exploration of clean diesels, alternative fuels and even hybrid powertrains.
In press release distributed by Mazda Motorsports, Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) was quoted saying, “This opens a new chapter in racing for us. We’ve won with rotary technology, and now we’re looking to again put our customers in the winner’s circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen.”
The engine is being jointly developed by Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda North American Operations, and Speedsource Engineering and will be featuring a 14:1 low compression ratio, new two-stage turbocharger, a 5,200 rpm redline and compared to Mazda’s current-production 2.2L MZR-CD diesel engine, up to 20% reduction in fuel consumption, 20% reduction in internal engine friction and 10% reduction in weight.
On track testing will begin later this year. The actual Mazda model the SkyActiv racing engine will be installed on will be announced after the conclusion of the 2012 Grand-Am racing season. My guess is that we will see it debut on a Mazda 3, but only time will tell.
