Mazda RX-Z Concept

Mazda RX-Z Concept
Mazda RX-Z Concept
Mazda RX-Z Concept
Mazda RX-Z Concept
Mazda RX-Z Concept

Mazda RX-Z Concept

new Mazda Carol

We saw a concept car showcased by Suzuki with the name “Alto Concept” that looked completely different (and nicer) from the Alto that’s selling in countries like India. And today, we see that different Alto body get announced for production, but not with a Suzuki badge. The car above is the new full model change Mazda Carol and it’s essentially a badge engineered Alto, a common practice between Japanese compact carmakers.

You can have it with either a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic or a CVT transmission. There is also a 4WD CVT model as well as a 4WD 4-speed auto model, surprisingly. The sole engine option is a 660cc VVT engine. The front wheel drive CVT version is claimed to be able to achieve 24.5km per liter according to the 10-15 cycle.

This may not be relevant info for us but all variants of the Carol qualify for Japan’s eco-car tax reductions (grades with CVT or five-speed manual qualify for 75 percent reductions while 4-speed auto models get 50 percent reductions). All grades also qualify for Japan’s eco-car incentive program which has various incentives like tax incentives and etc. Compared to the bigger Mazda Axela, only 6 out of 9 Axela variants qualify for the incentive program.

New Mazda Carol Launched in Japan in Time for Christmas

Mazda Motor Corporation has fully updated the Mazda Carol micro-mini for the Japanese market. Sales of the new Carol commence today at all Mazda Autozam, Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships nationwide.

Thanks to its charming design, excellent fuel economy and affordability, the Mazda Carol is popular among women, and supported by a broad range of customers. In its first full remodeling since September 2004, the Carol offers new interior and exterior design. Also featuring reduced curb weight and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an auxiliary gearbox, the Carol provides improved eco-friendliness and even better value for money.

The attractive new exterior design shows off soft, rounded curves that inspire affection. Inside, the instrument panel now has a distinctive circular design. Seats upholstered in a bright combination of beige and brown create a lively, stylish impression. The updated Carol is also more user friendly than ever, with highly visible large dials, an easy-to-use floor-mounted shift lever and several useful storage features.

All model grades offer improved eco-friendliness and qualify as super ultra-low emission vehicles (SU-LEV), with exhaust emissions at least 75 percent lower than Japan’s 2005 standards. The CVT and five-speed manual transmission grades exceed Japan’s “2010 fuel economy standard plus 25%.” The Carol’s automatic transmission grades exceed the “2010 fuel economy standard plus 15%.” The most fuel-efficient versions in the range, the front-wheel drive (FWD) grades with CVT, achieve outstanding figures of 24.5 km/L*. With this outstanding eco-friendly performance, all Carol model grades qualify for Japan’s eco-car tax reduction and incentive programs. Additionally, the new Mazda Carol provides ample safety protection with structures and equipment, such as supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, to mitigate potential injuries in the event of a collision. Theft prevention devices, such as a vehicle immobilizer, have also been newly adopted.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the new Mazda Carol range from 899,850 to 1,167,600 yen, including sales taxes. The target sales volume is 800 units per month.

2010 Mazda 6

2010 Mazda 6

Mazda sales are up this year. Industry analysts would probably say that Mazda sales have stabilized, unlike some competitors. Sales have stabilized because of an emphasis on engineering, quality control, and attention to detail. These marks make up the ingredients for a successful recipe in manufacturing success.

The Mazda 6 has a potent 170 HP 2.5 liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine that propels the vehicle, utilizing variable valves timing to both optimize performance and deliver impressive fuel efficiency. The in-town mpg averages 21, and 30 on the highway. I only put about 600 miles on my Mazda 6 test vehicle, but I averaged around 25 mpg in the city.

The vehicle came with a power moon roof, stereo system, alloy wheels, tire pressure monitor, power doors and windows, and Blue Tooth audio and phone. These are just a few of the standard features.

The absolute best feature was the blind spot monitoring system. It is an innovative radar-based driver warning system that is standard equipment. Rear facing sensors detect a vehicle (or other object) within the driver’s left or right blind spot. The system calculates its relative speed and distance, then warns the driver. A mirror light appears in the appropriate side mirror to visually warn the driver of an approaching vehicle or object. If the driver signals a lane change, the warning light also blinks, and a cabin warning chime sounds for an approaching vehicle.

I was stopped in the center lane behind two cars waiting at the red light. Deciding to move into the right hand turn lane, I gave a signal, checked to my right to see if someone was coming, when suddenly the warning light and sound came on. I hesitated, when suddenly a guy on a bicycle whizzed by. I never saw him until he had passed me. Without the monitoring system I could have hit the cyclist.

Mazda Looks Into EVs

You might call it jumping on the bandwagon, but a car company that has been conspicuous by its absence in the electric vehicle game, Mazda, has finally thrown its hat into the ring. After Tesla, Fisker and Aptera threw down the gauntlet, and it was picked up by major players like Nissan, Ford and Chevrolet, it was only a matter of time before Mazda had to get into the game.

The basis for Mazda’s look into EVs is the Demios, otherwise known as the Mazda 2, a car that has been a big success in the home market, and will be soon be headed stateside. Could a North American Demios/2 EV be headed our way in the near future?

Mazda’s electrification of the Demios (that’s the gas fueled version you see pictured) is part of a venture called The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project that will start in March of the coming year. Mazda Motor Corporation is collaborating with Itochu Corporation and host of other companies on the enterprise that will be hosted in Tsukuba City. The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project sets out to test a low-carbon transport system that uses clean energy.

The undertaking aims to be a comprehensive assessment of a low-carbon energy network composed of EVs, rapid chargers, solar panels, fixed battery stations, and a car sharing service. Mazda’s end of things entails providing three Mazda Demios that will be converted into electric vehicles and the Hiroshima-based car company will assist in determining the best possible vehicle specs and assessing the Demio EV’s performance.

The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project looks to be part of Mazda’s ongoing measured effort into slowly greening their entire product line. The company has adopted a policy to comprehensively improve its internal combustion engines and aims to phase in those improved drivetrains with electric devices such as the i-stop idling stop system, regenerative braking and hybrid systems.

The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project seems to be the next logical step in that development process and it will allow Mazda to generate a broader knowledge base, and garner expertise in EV infrastructure and the reuse of EV batteries.