Quick 0-60? How fast can you stop?

CorkSport Big Brake Kit

Mazdas come with a good braking system but a simple brake upgrade will make a huge impact.

A great upgrade choice is the CorkSport Big Brake Caliper Kit. They work great in both hot and cold conditions. This 4 piston kit is crafted from an extremely lightweight billet aluminum and is made to last on and off track.

After shaving over 16lbs of weight and ramping up your stopping power the feel and look of these brakes will clearly make your Mazdaspeed look sick.

Here is a great example of deep corner driving & passing. Without some powerful brakes you would be pushing the limits of factory abilities. Much thanks to Steven Kritzberg for the video.

The Big Brake Kit is a sexy add on and very useful. The installation isn’t too hard to tackle, take a look at the video below . Perfect fit for the Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed.

CorkSport Install Video

Order your CorkSport Big Brake Kit

January 7, 2014October 16, 2017

Is it the end of the world as we know it ?

It Has Begun

Looking at the Mazda corporate news feed this morning the news of the Mexico plant producing its first vehicle prompted the REM song, “it’s the end of the world as we know it” to play in my head.

The plant is a Mexico plant (known as MMVO) which will be making the Mazda 2 and Mazda 3 for consumption in the US and other countries on this side of the planet. I have speculated in an earlier blog after Mazda announced that they would be building an engine plant there as well that we could see the CX5 and other vehicles being produced at the same location. With the goal of being able to produce 230,000 vehicles by 2016 there will be more than enough capacity to go into other models.

Granted I do have my hesitation about the vehicles being made there (in Mexico). Mazda is confident about the quality of the vehicles and they mentioned sending 150 of the plant engineers to Hiroshima for training in the production facilities there to make sure the product is consistent for the new plant. The same could be said for VW who produces vehicles in Mexico as well and there have been little rumors of those vehicles be inferior to the German made cars. Mazda does produce Mazda 2s and 3s in various plants around the planet like Thailand and Taiwan and the quality has been consistent from what I have heard over the years.

I am really pulling for Mazda to get this to work though, it will really help them be more profitable in the long run and help them out globally despite being one of the smaller car manufacturers that is independent.

Now the million dollar question, with the increased capacity, does this mean we have a better chance at getting a new Mazdaspeed 3 sooner than or later?

-Derrick

January 3, 2014October 16, 2017

The Best Power Mod For A Mazda

In the ongoing quest to make your Mazda more powerful, and fun to drive, we have developed many great aftermarket options.

The stock airbox and air intake on most Mazdas were designed for economy instead of power. The problem with using the stock filter and airbox is that it functions similar to breathing through a rag. The rag does a great job of keeping contaminants and dirt out, but it also requires extra effort to pull air in.

When you upgrade the intake to a CorkSport Short Ram Intake you remove the air stifling setup and finally breath freely. Suddenly, your car goes from an underpowered, oxygen lacking zombie, to the free breathing, throaty roar of increased horsepower and freedom.

Take a look at a section from our book “The Ultimate Mazda Performance Guide” about how a Short Ram intake system should be your first modification for power.

If you are looking to start the year off right, and are ready to upgrade your intake system we can answer any questions on which option is best for your ride.

Want to start 2014 off with some extra power? How about just letting your Mazda breathe easy? Thankfully you can do both with one simple modification, the Short Ram Intake.

www.corksport.com

December 27, 2013

Mazda Axela Sport and the 6 Wagon Turbodiesel (Next Mazdaspeed?)

2014 Axela Sport Concept (New Mazdaspeed?)

Mazda recently released some concepts with Mazdaspeed exteriors. Could these be the next Mazdaspeed 3’s? The new Axela Sport with Mazdaspeed Exterior certainly has a sporty look, but there is no official word on if this is just a design concept, or if it’s confirmation of the next Mazdaspeed 3.

The hatchback will feature a strengthened chassis, some Brembo stopping power and a set of black alloy wheels. The end result is a stunning example of another great design from Mazda, a company that truly understands blending high performance and sporty style.

Whether this is the new Mazdaspeed or not, we look forward to more ideas and designs from Mazda, such as the Mazda 6 Wagon concept below!

Mazda 6 Wagon Mazda Design Concept

Also joining the 6 sedan lineup is a stylish wagon variation. Featuring subtle aero changes, new wheels and a leather wrapped dash. It will house a Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine power-plant. Rumor has it that we should be seeing this engine in the USA, so we have our fingers crossed. Turbo + Diesel + Wagon = the best of all worlds, at least we think so!

December 12, 2013December 12, 2013

Getting the Balance Correct

Getting the Balance Correct

We all have seen the rumors, and the renderings, but finally we have some spy shots. Don’t be deceived by the NC style look, Mazda has gone to great lengths to hide the next generation MX5. Yet under that deceptive exterior we have noticed and heard some exciting things.

Photo credit to Motor Authority for the spy shot

One of the most exciting reports we have heard is that the next MX5 should be weighing in around 2200lbs and possibly less. That is about 200-300 pounds of saving over the current NC model. Of course the original NA model in 1989 was 200lbs less than that, but we doubt the next Miata will be lacking power steering, ABS, AC, Power locks, power windows and other modern conveniences. We also noticed that upon close inspection of the spy shots, it appears Mazda is going back to the 4 bolt hubs/wheels to lose weight.

All this with the Skyactiv power-plant for weight loss and improved gas mileage should make the next MX5 a winner.

I predict that with the next generation MX5 we should see a variant of the Mazda 2 SkyActiv engine, but with forced induction. Who wouldn’t want a direct injected SkyActiv with a turbo that dishes out 200 wheel horsepower, or more?

The sum of all this can be shown in the following equation.

+

=

Clearly the next Mx5 has some big changes, but ultimately I believe Mazda is going back to the basics. Make the most fun, and best, 2 seat sport car in the market. I personally cannot wait to be first in line to order the next Mazda Mx5 as my daily driver. Come on Mazda, I’m waiting.

-Derrick