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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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

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.

The Tokyo Motor Show is behind us, but the Tokyo Auto Salon is coming up in the next few weeks. One of the manufacturers that is using this venue to showcase its new performance products is Mazda.

The highlight on Mazda’s stand will be the MX-5 NR-A ‘Jimba-Ittai’ (translates to: rider and horse as one) track special. Apart from the funky paint schemes, the MX-5 NR-A will feature 16-inch Enkei alloy rims with Bridgestone tires, 20-mm lower height, Endless brake pads and Takata four-point racing harness, among some other changes.

Sharing the stage with the MX-5 NR-A (not to be confused with the National Rifle Association) will be a special edition CX-5 crossover, the RX-8 Spirit R, which is the final version of this sports coupe, and the MX-5 Black-Tuned, which is a regular MX-5 with some black color features, such as its special BBS rims. Oh, and it also features some rather green seats.

The Tokyo Auto Salon will be held in the city of Chiba from January 13 to 15.

GALLERY: Mazda Auto Salon Preview

See our Auto Show coverage here.

Although it’s providing a fleet of some 100 Demio (Mazda2) all-electric vehicles to select lease customers in Japan (see above), Mazda doesn’t currently offer any other EV passenger vehicles.

However, that may soon change, as Chief Engineer Mitsuru Fujinaka has said the Hiroshima based automaker is looking to get regulartory approval so it can eventually offer EVs for sale in the United States, particularly California. “Sooner or later we will have these electric vehicles,” he said. “At least by 2018 though we will try to do it earlier.”

The JDM Mazda Demio models currently under test, sport a 70 kW electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack that adds approximately 220 lbs in extra weight. Fujinaka says the goal was to offer a zero tailpipe emisisons vehicle that delivered comparable performance to the regular 1.5-liter gas engined Demio and thanks to instant torque (equivalent of some 148 lb-ft), the electric version can scoot from 0-62 mph in less than 10.7 seconds and reach speeds of 87 mph. Range maxes out at approximately 125 miles.

Although the current Demio (Mazda2) EV likely won’t be sold in export markets, there’s a good chance that similar size successors could be. If and when that happens, it’ll be interesting to see both Mazda’s pricing strategy and rollout program, particularly here in the US.

[Source: egmCarTech]