The original Mazda Miata was debuted at the Chicago Auto Show all the way back in 1989, so it seems fitting that Mazda is showing off a new special edition of the current Miata at the 2012 Chicago Auto show.

The Miata special edition will be a hard car to get a hold of with only 450 units coming to the United States, making the special edition Miata that much more alluring.

Black exterior accents such as the retractable hard top convertible roof, mirrors and wheels give the special edition Miata a bold look when combined with either of the two paint packages available on the special edition; Velocity red and Crystal white pearl.

The interior of the car will come outfitted with black leather adorned seats, steering wheel, door trim and parking brake, along with contrasting grey stitching throughout. Other newly blacked out interior features are the steering wheel spokes, dash and the roll bar garnish. A nice shiny set of alloy pedals is included as well.

For performance, the Miata uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 167 hp and 140 lb-ft. of torque. Not bad when you consider that the Miata weighs in at 2,593 lbs. (2,619 lbs. with the automatic transmission). The engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter or a six-speed sport automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The automatic transmission will take 9 hp from the engine, only producing 158 hp when paired together. The special edition will ride on Bilstein shocks and incorporate a limited slip differential (LSD) and a sport-tuned suspension.

Other amenities to make the Miata special edition a little more upscale are the inclusion of a Bluetooth hands-free phone, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a four-month complimentary subscription, xenon headlights, an anti-theft alarm and the Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry System.

The Miata special edition can be yours for $31,225 when equipped with the manual transmission or $31,675 with the automatic. It will hit dealers by the end of February.

GALLERY: Mazda Miata Special Edition

Mazda has announced that the all-new 2013 CX-5 Sport compact crossover will start at $20,695. While the CX-5 is priced well below the segment sales leaders, the new compact crossover will still feature the latest in Mazda SkyActiv Technology.

Paired with the SkyActiv-MT six-speed manual transmission and the SkyActiv-G 2.0-liter engine, the CX-5 produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm is capable of delivering 35 mpg highway or 29 mpg combined. This figure represents the best highway fuel economy of any non-hybrid SUV sold in North America.

Competitively priced and frugal at the tank, the CX-5 offers luxurious amenities as well. Featuring the SkyActiv-Body and SkyActiv-Chassis, Mazda ensures a rigid structure that is both quiet and impact-absorbing. In automatic transmission trim, the CX-5 will start at $22,095 while Mazda’s active torque-split AWD system will start at $23,345. A Bluetooth Audio Package featuring hands-free phone and audio connectivity, HD radio, and a 5.8-inch infotainment monitor, is available for an additional $400.

The CX-5 Sport also offering 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth audio package along with fog lamps, upgraded cloth seats, adjustable driver’s seat, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio button controls, and a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system.

A step above, the CX-5 Touring pulls out all the stops. The Technology Package offers an in-dash TomTom based navigation system, auto-dimming mirrors with Homelink, auto-leveling and pivoting xenon headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The Moonroof/Bose audio package adds a moonroof plus a 9-speaker surround sound Bose system. The Touring FWD starts at $23,895 while the AWD is priced at $25,145.

For the creme de la creme, the CX-5 Grand Touring features 19 inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, and heated outside mirrors. Inside, find a leather appointed interior with heated, eight way adjustable seats with lumbar support and dual-zone climate. The Grand Touring FWD starts at $27,045, and $28,295 for the AWD.

GALLERY: Mazda CX-5

Mazda will debut its 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show, a limited-production model of just 450 units. The special edition MX-5 will feature a black-only power retractable hard top.

Other features exclusive to the special edition model includes two new exterior colors, 17-inch gunmetal wheels, black exterior accents, heated black leather seats and piano black interior finishes. The debut of this Special Edition MX-5 at the Chicago Auto Show also pays tribute to the Miata’s global debut at the same show back in 1989. It’s since gone on to become the world’s best-selling roadster with more than 900,000 produced.

The limited edition model will be available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The special edition model is based on the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring model. Both the Premium and Suspension packages will be standard on the Special Edition which includes Bluetooth, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Bilstein shocks and a sport-tuned suspension.

Mazda will also have their Turbo2, Dempsey Racing No. 40 GRAND-AM Road Racing Race Car, a 1990 Miata and the Star Mazda Championship Open-Wheel Race Car at their booth for the Chicago Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition

Mazda has issued out a recall notice for 2001-2002 model year Tribute SUVs for a faulty brake master cylinder reservoir cap that can leak brake fluid. If the fluid does leak, it can come into contact with the ABS wiring harness connector that could result in corrosion developing in the electrical connector. In a worst case scenario, melting, smoking or possibly fire could result.

A total of 52,390 Tributes are affected in all and Mazda has even done something peculiar on this recall asking owners to park their vehicles outside until a dealer is able to make the repairs. Mazda will notify owners starting on or about January 30th, 2012 and dealers will replace the vehicle’s brake master cylinder reservoir cap and modify the ABS electrical system free of charge.

Out photographers have snapped several spy photos of the upcoming Mazda6 undergoing testing in the frozen European north. Underneath this current-generation body there’s plenty of new equipment to evaluate, from an all-new Skyactiv chassis and suspension system, right down to the engine and a start-stop system mated to an innovative regenerative braking system.

The next-gen Mazda6 will look nothing like this mule, which sports a chopped-up body similar to the prototypes we’ve already driven. Instead, it will share the swooping lines of the Takeri Concept car, unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Mazda has confirmed north America will get a diesel engine in early 2013, but hasn’t confirmed which model it will arrive in yet.

Look for the debut of the new Mazda6 next fall at the Paris Motor Show.

GALLERY: 2013 Mazda6 Test Mule

GALLERY: Mazda Takeri Concept

Find out more about the next-gen Mazda6 by reading our prototype drive here.

Those eagerly awaiting the launch of a diesel Mazda finally have some solid news about the oil-burner’s arrival in the U.S. According to the latest reports, Mazda is planning to have its diesel model on sale in early 2013 – just around 12 months away.

The arrival date of the new Skyactiv-D powered Japanese car was confirmed by spokesman Jeremy Barnes.

What has yet to be revealed is exactly what model will receive the diesel powerplant, although speculation is that the new CX-5 crossover will get the nod, while cars like the Mazda 3 and 6 could follow.

The 2.2-liter four-cylinder is capable of around 160 hp with over 300 lb-ft of torque, handily besting VW’s TDI mill. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Skyactiv-D engine, however, is that while it delivers excellent torque at low rpm it doesn’t fall on its face as the revs rise. In fact, it redlines at 5200 rpm, as opposed to 4500 rpm in most diesel engines, delivering more of that Mazda zoom-zoom quality.

GALLERY: 2012 Mazda CX-5

For more on the Mazda Skyactiv-D diesel engine see here, or watch our video on the new technology below.

[Source: Car&Driver]

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According to reports, the all-new Mazda 6 will be unveiled at the upcoming 2012 Paris Auto Show.

We have already seen a solid hint at the styling of the new Mazda 6, with the Takeri concept (pictured above) which the automaker revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show this past December. The new production version of the 6 will probably share some of the major styling of the Takeri, with maybe a few small changes.

The Takeri was built on an all new light weight platform, and features Mazda’s Skyactiv technologies to increase fuel economy. Mazda has engineered a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (as seen in the 2012 Mazda3), however, the Takeri concept made use of the brand’s new Skyactiv diesel engine, capable of producing 165 hp and over 300 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda has said it will offer a diesel engine in North America in the near future, but has yet to confirm if it will arrive in the new 6, or perhaps the CX-5.

GALLERY: Mazda Takeri Concept

[Source: Auto-Motor-Und-Sport]

See AutoGuide’s First Look Video of the Takeri Concept below:

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One of numerous Mazdas on display at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, the Demio (sold as the Mazda2 in North America) Smart Stylish, delivers as promised with a classy look that adds some luxury appeal to this sub-compact.

Based on the new ultra-efficient Skyactiv 1.3-liter model, the Smart Stylish gets a complete aerodynamic overhaul, with new front and rear bumpers as well as side skits and some large BBS wheels. Bringing the package together is a lowered suspension.

To see the rest of Mazda’s Tokyo Auto Salon lineup, see AutoGuide’s complete show coverage here.

GALLERY: Mazda Demio Smart Stylish

Mazda North America announced official fuel economy numbers today for its new CX-5, with the compact crossover besting all other crossovers and SUVs.

Mazda’s Skyactiv technology is the brand’s fuel saving setup which is setting industry standards for non-hybrid vehicles. Front-wheel-drive CX-5 model equipped with the standard Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual transmission are EPA rated with an estimated fuel economy of 26 city/35 highway/29 combined mpg. All-wheel-drive CX-5 models will get 25 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg. The CX-5 front wheel drive comes with a 14.8 gallon fuel tank while the all wheel drive comes with a 15.3 gallon tank which are both capable of 500 miles of drive range.

The Skyactiv setup gives the CX-5 the highest compression ratio of any of any mass produced vehicle at 13:1. This fuel compression ratio combined with being the lightest SUV in its class, weighing in at 3,208 for entry level models and 3,426 for premium trim levels, gives the CX-5 its best in class non hybrid fuel economy.

5. 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv

What’s the best car of 2012? Who knows. Is a Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 better than a Ferrari 458 Italia? What about the Scion FR-S? Or a Prius Plug-in Hybrid? The past year has seen the launch of numerous excellent vehicles, including some we really didn’t expect to be any good. That said, we’ve put together our list of the top five surprisingly good cars of 2012, starting with the updated Mazda3.

We thoroughly enjoyed the new 3 (read our 2012 Mazda3 review here), something that’s not at all surprising at first. What is more of a shock is that it was Mazda’s new Skyactiv model, designed primarily for fuel economy, and that it managed to deliver in that department while sticking true to the brand’s Zoom-Zoom slogan.

Adding to our reasons for placing this car on our list of surprisingly good cars is the technology behind it. At both a preview event and the actual drive, Mazda gave us a deep-dive into the engineering solutions behind its new SkyActiv technologies, rethinking every aspect of the engine and transmission for this updated model. When Ford sold off its shares in Mazda recently many skeptics proclaimed that in this new era a smaller company like Mazda couldn’t possibly hope to be competitive without a large partner like, say, Toyota. But Mazda has proved them wrong, not only competing, but perhaps delivering the the only 40 mpg car that’s actually fun to drive.