2012 Mazda3 Facelift with New 40mpg SKYACTIV Engine Debuts in New York

Mazda is getting ready to enter the raging mpg war in the compact passenger vehicle segment in the States with the launch of its facelifted 2012 Mazda3 that made its U.S. debut today at the New York International Auto Show.

While the exterior and interior refinements are modest, the updated Mazda3 debuts the first application in North America of the Japanese firm’s suite of SKYACTIV fuel-saving and performance-oriented technologies, achieving 40 mpg on the highway. Within it lies Mazda’s all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine hooked up to either a new SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission or a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual gearbox.

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2012 Mazda3 with Modest Styling Tweaks and New Skyactive-G Engine Debuts in Toronto

Mazda has dropped the first photos and details on its 2012 model year Mazda3 sedan and five-door hatchback models that are making their world premiere at this week's 2011 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. In addition to receiving a cosmetic pick-me-up, the refreshed Mazda3 gains the Japanese firm's new Skyactiv-G gasoline engine and Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission.

The automaker has not yet released specific details on the new powertrain, but said that this is the first application of its Skyactive engine and transmission technologies in a production vehicle. All we know for now is that the engine will feature direct-injection tech and a high compression ratio, while the transmission is said to be compact in size and light in weight, with both contributing to an improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.

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Mazda3 gets Revised 1.6-liter Diesel in Europe, Returns 4.4lt/100km or 53.5mpg

Mazda has updated the 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine offered in the Mazda3 hatchback and sedan models, making it Euro 5-compliant, more powerful (115 hp vs 109 hp) and even more economical. The new version needs just 4.4 lt/100 km (64.2 UK mpg or 53.5 US mpg) and it's mated for the first time to a six-speed manual transmission.

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Mazda brings Super20 MX-5 along with other tuned models to SEMA Show

In order to take full advantage of the aftermarket fanboys trolling around SEMA, Mazda released more than a few examples of the paths tuners could take when modifying its MX-5 roadster, Mazda2, and Mazda3 models.

The Mazda2s seen here are designed with two different goals in mind: looking slick on the street, or tearing it up at the track.

The Mazda2 Street keeps it simple by getting lowered on a set of 15x9s and adding some lower-body graphics, while the Mazda2 Evil Track gets the same rims, more aggressive vinyl, and enough safety/racing gear to meet NASA and SCCA standards. The "Evil Track" also wears a Mazda Design body kit and rides on H&R coilovers.

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Paris Motor Show Debut for Facelifted Mazda2 and New 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel

Mazda has announced that the refreshed Mazda2 will be given its European premiere at next month's Paris motor show. The Japanese firm also plans to introduce a new 1.6-liter turbo diesel for the Mazda5 MPV and Mazda3 sedan and hatchback models at the show.

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Steering Issues Prompt Mazda3 and Mazda5 Recall in the States

Mazda's US division is recalling 215,000 units of its 2007-2009MY Mazda3 and Mazda5 cars manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, because of a problem with the steering wheel system. More specifically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said a defect in these vehicles could lead to a sudden loss of power assist which reduces the driver's ability to steer the car, especially at low speeds.

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New Mazda Takuya Special Editions for UK Market

Obviously Mazda has embarked on a journey to teach Japanese to British buyers. After the MX-5 Miyako limited edition series - named after a Japanese island, Mazda is now introducing the 'Takuya' special edition range, available on the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 models. The name 'Takuya' – pronounced 'tah-koy-yah' – is taken from the Japanese for forerunner or pioneer. Changes on the special edition models are limited to cosmetic and equipment upgrades.

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[Not so] Special Edition Mazda Axela 90th Anniversary Released in Japan

Like most auto makers celebrating any type of anniversary, Mazda is on a "special edition" spree for its 90th birthday. And just like most car manufacturers, there's nothing really 'special' about any of its commemorative models other than their name.

This time, Mazda has launched the Axela (known overseas as the Mazda3 hatchback) 90th Anniversary Edition. Based on the Japanese-market 1.5 S Style, the special edition packs some new features including 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, side spoilers, LED rear combination lights and dark tinted glass - yeah, that's so special...

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Mazda Launches Not so Special 90th Anniversary Editions of Axela and Biante in Japan

On January 30, 2010, Mazda will reach its 90th birthday and to celebrate the event, the automaker has begun churning out special edition versions of its cars like the Axela (known to the rest of the world as the Mazda3 hatch) and the Biante minivan, both of which went on sale in Japan today.

However, truth to be said, there's nothing really 'special' about the two models other than the Axela's exclusive exterior body color that's called Gunmetal Blue Mica and the fact that both cars come with more standard features such as the 'i-stop' start & go system that reduces fuel consumption.