Based on the Takeri Concept from Japan, the 2014 MAZDA6 will include a 2.0-liter gas engine, as well as 2.2-liter diesel. Expect Mazda’s i-Eloop regenerative braking system to be part of MAZDA6. The Japanese auto maker claims this energy source will increase fuel efficiency by 10%.

Three variants are expected to hit dealership lots by 2013, with the coupe making its debut a year later.

Fans across the country absolutely love its basic yet sleek design inside and out. Sales figures show a growing interest in the upcoming 2012 MAZDA2 – but will the love last?

Power for the upcoming 2012 variant is supplied by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 100 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is matted to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission (for an extra $800).

Another plus driving shoppers towards MAZDA is the 2′s available, customizable color schemes: “Brilliant Black Clearcoat, Liquid Silver, True Red, Crystal White Pearl, Aquatic Blue and Spirited Green.”

The best attention grabber from this front-wheel-drive vehicle is its superb MPG rating: 29 City, 35 Highway.

So, just how well is the new MAZDA2 doing? Let’s look at sales figures from just after the car’s release:

Jan 2011: 479 – Feb 2011: 870 – March 2011: 2,500!

As you can see, many youthful and cost-conscious shoppers are being won over by this small Mazda car. We expect to see many more driving off dealership lots in a “2″ very soon.

Source: Mazda247 & LeftLaneNews

Mazda, the Japanese auto maker known for bringing Los Angeles, Denver, and even Richmond, VA the Mazda MX-5 to dealer lots, is borrowing a Porsche design.

The MX-5 Spyder is a specialized MX-5 “Miata” (remember that name?) – sans the convertible roof, which is replaced by “a single panel grenadine-red soft-top made by Haartz Corporation.” The “fastback” design is another look that follows in Porsche’s Spyder footsteps.

Under its hood, Mazda includes a MZR 2.0-liter engine, which runs on BP’s isobutanol biofuel. It is produced similarly to ethanol, and is a separate concept Mazda is playing with to coincide with their “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” slogan.

Whether or not Mazda will actually put this concept into production is unknown, as many SEMA show cars never make it to dealer lots. But we’ll keep checking back, and hoping.

Source: CNET

First spied at auto shows earlier this year, the 2013 MAZDA CX-5 could very well mark the next step towards this company’s future.

Lending itself to a more creative body design, CX-5 will continue the bodywork of it’s larger, older siblings – CX-7 and CX-9. Like those vehicles, it follows a new look that all of the company products will hold – including a large front grille and fresh light set up.

CX-5 will be offered with a Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Skyactiv-G will also be installed in 2012′s Mazda 3, which produces 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. The US may also receive a diesel option in 2012. When it arrives next year, we’ll keep you posted.

Source: Car & Driver

Mazda is looking for every angle these days. This one might just get your goat (puns!) Actually, it’s not a Miata (aka, the MAZDA MX-5) that will get you a goat.

If you buy the enhanced FMII turbo kit (or any other $5,000 minimum order product) from Flyin’ Miata Performance Shop of Palisade, Colorado, they’ll donate a goat. Non-profit aid organization Heifer International provides the animals, seeds and trains them to help people in need learn to help themselves.

Goats can survive in most environments, eat what most other animals won’t, and can breed easily. Makes sense, I guess.

Source: Jalopnik

But if you’re in Australia, be sure to test drive a BT-50 Freestyle.

You’ve probably noticed a wide range of colors of the MAZDA3 on your daily commute. With Mazda Motors reporting their 3 millionth ’3′ produced, chances are you’ll see more in the future. What’s so amazing about the MAZDA3 story (yes that is the correct way to write ‘Mazda 3′ according to the auto maker) is the fact that 3 is only 8 years old.

Mazda had to severely cut back on production after the intense earthquake that struck Japan in March. Still, only a few weeks past their initial deadline, the company celebrated the 3 million Mazda.

Mazda Motor Co. says the 3 millionth MAZDA3 was a “Japanese-specification Axela, as it is known in Japan, five-door hatchback with the company’s 2.0-liter MZR four-cylinder engine and i-Stop, the automaker’s start/stop system.”

Source: Leftlanenews

The New York Times adds to this, and Mazda’s next direction:

A similar contrast is at the root of Kodo, which is intended to embody the tension of power and speed caught in motion. The word means “soul of motion.” The Mazda 2 offers its own mix of elements. Mr. Maeda says the design is “a rhythmic interplay between soft surfaces and sharp contours,” or between the organic and the mechanical.

It also reflects an effort to appeal to multiple audiences. Because the Mazda 2 was sold first in Japan, where it was intended to appeal to women who drive in restricted urban areas, the design emphasized the car’s compact size with short overhangs and a rear roof pillar that angles forward.

The Kodo-style grille is angular like a five-pointed shield, said Derek Jenkins, Mazda’s North American design manager, with a stronger, more aggressive look. “Kodo gives us a more assertive and provocative presence,” he said.

That 15% raise in fuel efficiency brings the upcoming MAZDA3 to 31 miles per gallon city, and 38 MPG highway. This also brings MAZDA3 closer to the competition’s range.

According to auto blog Kicking Tires, “Mazda has also toned down the smiley face look of the Mazda3 with a more angular grille.” We have to admit, we’ll miss all the “Why So SRS?!” jokes made around Mazdapedia’s office.

The Japanese auto maker expects to have the 3 on Mazda dealership lots by late 2011, which will help introduce this new engine to fans across the nation – even the globe.

Source: Kicking Tires

The car just entered a production phase overseas, and its likability will be tested in the form of a leasing program available to residents of the country. Electric2 is just the beginning of a huge electric car fleet Mazda hopes to bring to us by 2014.

Electric2 is expected to have a max range of 124 miles per charge, and will first be leased in limited numbers to government entities and fleet buyers.

Mazda will use the program to develop its electric vehicle technologies. The company still claims its allegiance to the internal-combustion engine – they’ve made it clear it will continue to focus on developing fuel-saving technologies for its engines. For now, trials are limited to the Japanese market, serving mostly as a research project. Expect more information as the spring of 2012 launch date approaches.

Source: Mazda Electric2