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

To go with the supposed 1.3L turbocharged powerplant the next-generation MX-5 will be getting, Mazda‘s MX-5 development boss Hirotaka Kanazawa also revealed that the 2014 MX-5 will go to a back-to-basics approach towards being a fun sportscar, just like the 1989 original model.

“We will return to the original. It will be lightweight and the cost will be lightweight too. It will be easy to handle and fun to drive,” he said in an interview with What Car?

The next-generation convertible will also utilize Mazda’s new Skyactiv technologies and as we reported before, it’ll shed some weight – though now it’s a more believable figure of 2,200-lbs. Originally Mazda hoped to get it around 1,780-lbs but now it appears that the next-generation MX5 will be more in line of the original which weight 2,178-lbs.

Mazda is also exploring the idea of multiple models in order to appease all the MX-5 enthusiasts out there. Whether they want power or comfort, they’ll be able to make a choice rather than being alienated. Design boss Ikuo Maeda also hinted that the company’s new Kodo design language could find its way onto the MX-5′s design.

[Source: What Car?]

A while back, we reported that the next-generation Mazda MX-5 would be going on a major diet and could be powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged powerplant rather than the 1.8L or 2.0L naturally aspirated motor used today. Now reports are coming in that the new MX-5 will likely sport a 1.3L turbocharged four-cylinder, with Mazda’s SkyActive technology.

Scheduled to be released sometime in 2014, the 1.3L turbocharged motor will feature variable cam phasing, lighter, low-friction reciprocating parts and possibly a new exhaust manifold to achieve better exhaust gas evacuation. Mazda is also looking to lighten the load in the transmission as well as reducing the friction in order to make each shift short and snappy on the manual. For the automatic fanatics, Mazda will probably offer a paddle-shift, torque-converter auto with a lock-up clutch.

The next generation MX-5 has been confirmed to be built on a new rear-wheel-drive SkyActive platform called the S-platform, and Mazda engineers continue to work towards their goal of making the sports car weigh in at a scant 1,765-lbs or so.

[Source: Autocar]

During a press conference at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda‘s global chief, Takashi Yamanouchi said that a rotary powered MX-5 is a possibility down the road; he also went onto say that the company might consider merging its two separate sports car lines [MX-5 and RX-8], into one.

“I have been saying everywhere that we will continue research on the rotary engine,” he declared. “We will not extinguish the flame of the rotary engine. That kind of product is iconic for our brand. So the current MX-5 or RX-8 we have decided in the future to maintain that type of [sports car] product.” Yet he went on to state that “I can’t say, however, that they will be separate … they may be merged into one.”

However many questions remain. If a single rotary powered sports car were to materialize (there’s speculation it could be a hardtop coupe/convertible in the idom of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, or possibly offered in both piston and rotary powered forms), it would be a ways off. Mazda has already said the next generation MX-5, slated to debut in 2013, will feature a conventional in-line ICE engine, incorporating Mazda’s SkyActiv technology.

As for the RX-8, when production ends next year, there’s currently no definite plans for a replacement, though from Yamanounchi- san’s comments it’s clear development on the rotary engine will continue. The question is, whether it will remain solely as an internal combustion unit or be used as a range extending hydrogen fueled generator (Mazda already has  such a prototype engine being evaluated by government agencies). Stay tuned for further developments.

[Source: caradvice.com.au]

Reports are coming in that Mazda is planning to overhaul four of its existing models by 2014. The four models up for redesigns are the Mazda3, Mazda6, MX-5 and CX-9. We’ve already seen the new patent drawings for the upcoming MX-5 refresh, which will hopefully come in 2013 along with a new Mazda3 and CX-9.

The big news, however, is an all-new Mazda6 that is expected to be introduced before the end of next year. There’s a strong possibility that the new Mazda6 will resemble the Takeri Concept. All of the upcoming new Mazdas will sport Skyactiv technologies and ride on lightweight platforms that are being developed in-house at Mazda.

Mazda also stated that they have plans to add stop-start, regenerative braking and hybrid technologies to their models by 2016.

GALLERY: Mazda Takeri Concept

[Source: AutoNews]

One of the most famous sports cars in the world (as voted on by the people’s wallets) is the Mazda Miata. The next one will no doubt continue with this sales success, and with this leaked patent drawing, we can get a glimpse of what we’ll be seeing on the twisties.

Any change from its simple 2-seater RWD template is subject to the ire of the masses, so this next Miata has been speculated on with the fervor only dedicated fans can muster. Will it sport a rotary? Will it have a turbocharger, standard? Will it weigh less than 1700 lbs? Will Mazda bring back headrest speakers? While some of those things aren’t clear, the patent drawing leaked by a Japanese publication—intercepted on their way to the Tokyo Patent Office—shows us the most accurate view of its front end yet.

Mazda is ditching the “Nagare” styling theme (read: silly grins) on the rest of its lineup and going retro—all the way back to 1989, when big-haired women blasted “Like A Prayer” in their “hairdresser’s cars.” It gets vaguely Kabuki-esque stretched headlights that frame a big oval intake, which isn’t too much of a stretch from past and current Miatas. Sadly, pop-up headlights are still sequestered (by various governments, anyway) in the realm of lawn darts and asbestos, and won’t be making a comeback.

The next Miata will bow out as a concept car next year, before Mazda plans to debut the production version at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Expect plenty more fun, bizarre speculation (and plenty of loud opinions) for the next year and a half!

[Source: Motor Trend]

Thanks to the success of Mazda‘s MX-5 GT, which competes in the UK’s Britcar Production GTN championship, the Hiroshima company has decided to release a pair of special ‘Black Limited Edition’ Mazda models, inspired by the race car.

Interestingly, despite it’s name, the ‘Sport Black’ Edition MX-5, available at UK dealers from July, is offered in exterior hues of Crystal White Pearlescent, Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red mica; that said, the car does sport a ‘Brilliant Black’ finished retractable hardtop; black trimmed upholstery with sand stitching and a black finished steering wheel and deco panel, though the 17-inch alloy wheels are actually finished in dark gunmetal gray.

Special ‘Black Limited Edition’ badging, unique floormats and a full roster of comfort and entertainment options, including a premium Bose sound system, climate control, and Bluetooth hands free system are also included.

All ‘Black Limited Edition’ MX-5s are based on the Sport Tech model and are powered by the 2.-0-liter 160 metric horsepower twin-cam four, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Mazda2 based ‘Black Limited Edition’ follows a similar theme to its two-seater stablemate, offered in identical exterior colors, save for the red, which is a slightly different shade – True  Red. Other exterior touches include special black vinyl roof treatment, matte black finished 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and special rear bumper trim. Like the MX-5 version it boasts special exterior and interior badging, standard Bluetooth and special floormats.

Just 500 examples of the MX-5 Black edition will be produced, along with 618 of its Mazda2 counterpart. Priced at £22,995 and £12,815 respectively both cars represent quite a good buy by UK standards.

Mazda is looking to combine a turbocharged inline-four cylinder with its next generation MX-5, which is currently being overhauled to lose some significant weight. Working hard to make the MX-5 a well sought-after sports car once again, Mazda is not only looking towards overhauling the chassis to be nimble, hoping to shave off 720-lbs, but to bring life to the performance with a turbocharged powerplant.

Instead of having the 1.8- or 2.0-liter engine that has been powering current generation MX-5s, Mazda looks to replace it with an engine closer in size to a 1.5-liter. Features to this turbocharged powerplant will include variable cam phasing, lighter, low-friction parts, and possibly a new exhaust manifold design, many of which are parts of Mazda’s SkyActive engineering campaign, aiming to improve the efficiency of their cars.

Mated to the turbocharged engine, we can expect a smaller and lighter six-speed manual transmission. An automatic option will probably be available with paddle-shift.

[Source: Autocar UK]

A report on Inside Line states that Mazda engineers have been saddled with the substantial task of shedding 720 pounds from the current curb weight of the Mazda MX-5, as development of the 4th generation car nears completion.

The current MX-5 weighs just under 2,500 pounds, and the new target of around 1,780 pounds would undercut even the first generation Mazda Miata, which weighed 2,178 pounds.

The report seemed to suggest that the weight target is more of a guideline than a hard target, but that Mazda would approach this task by using high-strength steel, smaller engines and more spartan equipment levels. Mazda is also looking to make the next generation car physically smaller than the current MX-5, but accomplishing this while also complying with safety standards may present a significant challenge.

[Source: Inside Line]

Mazda is planning to close down their assembly plants again, while stopping orders from dealers in the United States for their made-in-Japan vehicles.

The Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 are all affected. Only the Mazda6 and Tribute will remain in production at their American plants, although the situation could change in light of the parts suppliers affected by the earthquake. As of March 1st, the company had a 94-day supply of vehicles, but the automaker declined to comment on specifics.

In 2010, imported cars accounted for 83 percent of Mazda sales, a much higher number than other Japanese automakers, who build a significant proportion of their cars in North American plants. Mazda’s factories in Japan are located in Hiroshima and Hofu, at the opposite end of the country from where an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident are taking place.

[Source: Automotive News]