Tag: Rumors

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Dear Mazda, I have a Wish List

Dear Mazda,

I want to let you know what’s on my wish-list so that if you ever happen to stumble upon our wonderful little world of CorkSport, you’ll see everything I’ve been dreaming of.

1.      New Mazdaspeed

While I personally prefer the Mazdaspeed3 hatchback look, I’d even be ok with a Mazdaspeed6 iteration. I like to have fun; I like to be pushed back in my seat by power and performance, and realistically I LIKE TO GO FAST. The newest generations of Mazda are missing some of these aspects, and I’ve been dreaming of their return!!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like the Gen3 Mazda3. It’s a smooth ride, and we’re pretty stoked about what it can offer. However, our customers like to make power, N/A leaves us begging for more despite what HP we can squeeze out of the Mazda3.

So, Dear Mazda, Please bring back the Mazdaspeed!

2.      Mazda CX-3 with a turbo

Genuinely, I like the look of the CX3, I enjoy the size of the CX-3 and even find that it suits my ever changing lifestyle being a little higher off the ground. (For those who don’t, check out CorkSport’s lowering springs for the CX-3). It’s just flat out missing the power that comes with a turbo. It’s “get up and go” is … well… slow. This could, with the right improvements, be a great replacement for the Mazdaspeed3 for those of us waiting for the newest generation. Just please, please, can we get some more POWER?!

3.     Turbo Diesel Mazda 6

You gave it to everyone else!!! Why in the world would you leave us out?! You have to do ZERO redesigns; just getting it to the states is all I’m asking. The clean look of the Gen3 Mazda6 is something we like, but the power and improvements that come with the Turbo Diesel, I mean COME ON?! Just let us have a chance at it!

Heck, make that an AWD Mazda 6.

If you’re feeling generous, you could make it an AWD Turbo Diesel Mazda 6.

If we’re going THAT far, make it an AWD Turbo Diesel Mazda 6 wagon, because “I love me some hatchback!” that big booty look, and being able to fit all of the things… What’s not to love?!

It’s not a long list, and I realize that it’s selfish of me to ask, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one you would be making happy if you would just deliver on even ONE of these items.

Hopefully yours,

Kim@CorkSport

 

P.S Apple Carplay, and Android Auto… have been in the works for about 3 years, and you probably could have just hired a coder and completed a custom code in half the time… so we’re still waiting for that one too.

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Mazda’s Game Changer

Recent news has been circulating about the new Mazda and Toyota joint production plant and what will be built there.  In a few news articles, Masamichi Kogai has been quoted saying Mazda will introduce a new and different type of CUV (crossover utility vehicle).

I have been thinking about that statement about a new and different type SUV. Looking in the marketplace, you have pretty much everything out there in size, shape, and quality.  I think there is something which is getting lost in the translation of this message.

My bet is it will be something totally new for Mazda.  

Back in 2015, Mazda showed off the Koeru concept which was hinting to future models of crossover SUVs.

Looking at the current styling and the concept cars Mazda has laid out at the Tokyo Auto Show with the Mazda 3 Kai concept this year.

The front end styling has been sharpened on this concept car, but it isn’t too far outside of what Mazda is currently offering. The changed roofline at the rear points is designed to maximize cargo space, but in a good-looking package.

I will go out on a limb and guess that Mazda is probably working on a new motor to power whatever the upcoming CUV is going to be.

The most powerful motor Mazda offers right now is the 2.5 Skyactiv turbo engine, which powers the Cx-9 and soon to be offered in the Mazda 6. This motor is based on the older Skyactiv tech though, and with Masamichi saying the new vehicle will something new, my guess is that we should expect to see another tech marvel being produced.

The last thought I have on this with Mazda is this:

If they’re coming out with something new, we may see a large-sized vehicle to go up against the truck-based SUVs from other manufacturers. It is a direction Mazda has not gone before and lines up with the statements they are giving us.

Time will tell!

-Derrick

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RX-9 Rotary Engine Puzzle: Confirmed?

Mazda hasn’t done anything to squash the rotary engine rumors flying around the possible new RX-9. In fact,  as of a few days ago,  an executive from Mazda confirmed in more or less words: Yes we are working on it, and it is moving along to a more advanced stage.

Let’s review what we have seen so far.

Hybrid Drive Train Patent dated September 2016

Mazda basically penned out a drivetrain setup for the next generation of Rotary vehicle. There was also a rotary specific i-stop type patent entered as well. The only problem is we have seen something contrary to this in the next topic which makes this puzzle interesting.

Rotary Turbo Patent dated August 2015

This patent got everyone (including myself) really excited. Top exhaust ports, a turbo mounted to the top, rear wheel drive, and it is screaming for a huge upgraded turbo to be sticking out of the hood….

One can dream right? I digress with that path but looking at this patent Mazda was working on a different variant of the engine and thought it was important enough to file a patent on it. It should be noted once again this patent was from 2014.

Dorr Support Structure January 2017

The last patent popped up recently and it suggests a lower slung sports car as it moves the door up at a 15% angle and uses a torsion rod to hold it open. The only use a car would have for this is if it is low and you don’t want to hit your doors on curbs when you open them.

Looking back further we can see other patents from Mazda which point towards the continued research of the next rotary with laser ignition, different configurations of the engine, the 16x, etc.

Recently at the Mazda tech forum in Germany, Mitsuo Hitomi from Mazda confirmed that the development is in the advanced stage.

It looks like Mazda is willing to say they are still working on it, but not willing to say, “Yes you will have an Rx-whatever on this specific date.”

Adding to the fire, several Japanese magazines have been saying the Tokyo Auto Show will have the next car at it as well.

With more and more pieces to the puzzle being revealed, perhaps this will be the year we get to see the next RX. My money is on the strategy that it will be teased much like the RX-Evolve and the RX-Vision were, and we will get a real car and one heck of a surprise at the Tokyo Auto Show.

A guy can dream right?!

-Derrick

 

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Could We Have a NEW Mazdaspeed This Year?

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?

COrkSport-Chris-Childress-Mazdaspeed-3-Mazda3-Mazdaspeed3-Rumor-2017-Release

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

ABOUT_BLOG_Spencer

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The Mazda Sedan You Definitely Haven’t Heard Of

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.

CorkSport-2016-Mazda-2-Hatchback-City-Car-MPG-

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.

Cheers,

Spencer  ABOUT_BLOG_Spencer

Sources:

https://www.cars.com/articles/why-scion-picked-mazda-to-build-the-ia-1420680343797/

https://jalopnik.com/the-scion-ia-a-cheap-catfish-faced-sedan-that-may-jus-1694912877