Two New Special Edition MX-5 For The New Year

By Anthony Fontanelle

Mazda has been known for its use of the Wankel engines and its engineering prowess especially in the development and subsequent manufacturing of the Mazda MX-5. For the upcoming New Year, the automaker has announced that they will be offering two special edition versions of the MX-5 to European consumers. The said special edition MX-5s will be given the "Niseko" tag after Japan’s most renowned skiing resort.

The Auto Channel reported that the newest edition of the MX-5 still has the performance that has made it Britain's favorite sports car brand. The Niseko MX-5 will be given better driving dynamics and handling. It will be available to consumers by January 1, 2008. The 'entry level' version of the Niseko MX-5 is the 1.8i Niseko soft top with a five-speed transmission and the other one is the 2.0i Niseko roadster coupe with a six-speed gearbox.

Mark Cameron, Mazda UK's marketing director, had this to say: "Mazda MX-5 customers have traditionally given a warm welcome to each new ‘special edition’ model introduced during our roadster’s 18 year history. Now, for the first time with the Niseko, we are offering a ‘special’ model in both soft-top and roadster coupe forms and with co-ordinated brown leather seats and interior trim. Personally, I think the new 'Icy Blue' colour is going to appeal particularly to women buyers, although since launch the third generation Mazda MX-5 has achieved a 50/50, male/female sales mix as predicted."

"Traditionally, MX-5 buyers spend more on accessories and do more to individualise their cars, than other Mazda owners. Although the majority of those buyers use their MX-5s all-year-round, the peak ordering period is from February through to May, so the introduction of Niseko in January will boost sales at the back end of winter and give us a head-start for a spring sales boom," said Cameron.

The MX-5 Niseko will be given 17-inch alloy wheels, a unique body finish, front fog lamps, and Niseko badges. On the inside, the Mazda MX-5 Niseko will sport dark brown heated leather seats which will come in handy during those winter trips. The leather seats will be complemented with dark brown leather clad gear knobs and handbrake. It will also be equipped with Niseko-branded interior mats. The special edition Mazda MX-5 will also be given auto parts as reliable as Acura CL ball joints. Auto enthusiasts in Europe will no doubt be looking forward to the New Year with their sights set on buying a Mazda MX-5 Niseko.

Mazda Celebrates 40th Rotary Engine Anniversary

By Anthony Fontanelle

Japanese automaker Mazda is known in the auto industry as the maker of vehicles equipped with rotary engines. The company has started the use of the Wankel engine 40 years ago in the Cosmo Sport, known in Japan as the Mazda Savanna. The company used the engine in 1967 - ten years after Felix Wankel built the first running prototype of the two-stroke engine.

In the past, many automakers have started improving the Wankel engine. The poor fuel economy of the engine and heavy emission are some of the characteristics of the engine in the past and automakers have poured in money and effort in the development of better Wankel engines. Years later, most automakers have dropped the development of the Wankel engine in favor of the four-stroke engines. While automakers like General Motors and Ford has decided to no longer pursue the development of Wankel engines, Mazda continued their improvements on the engine designed by Felix Wankel.

In the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the rotary engine as used by Mazda, the automaker announced that they will be marketing special edition variants of the RX-8. The vehicles though will be sold only in Japan.

According to the automaker, the special edition RX-8 will be available in two variants. The first one is the RX-8 Type S which will be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The second variant is the RX-8 Type E, and it will come with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

As a special edition vehicle, the RX-8s will have a 40TH ANNIVERSARY ROTARY ENGINE badge. Other exterior features of the special edition RX-8 are the semi-gloss chrome light bezels. It will also sport 18-inch Dark Silver chrome aluminum ally wheels. For extra safety during night driving, the special edition RX-8 is fitted with front fog lights.

The Wankel engine has some distinct advantages over engines with reciprocating piston. In a Wankel engine, instead of the reciprocating pistons, the power released by the combustion of the fuel is transferred to a rotor. The advantage of using a rotor is that it has a higher power output compared to a similarly sized engine with reciprocating pistons. This means that it can be used on cars designed to have a small engine compartment.

Due to its design, Wankel engines also have fewer moving parts than conventional four-stroke engines. For example, a 1.2-liter Wankel engine in a Mazda has fewer Mazda parts compared to a similarly sized engine. This means that wear and tear on the parts is not a major problem when it comes to replacement. For example, a Wankel engine has no complicated valve trains while conventional four-stroke engines have complex parts for the intake and exhaust valves.

The disadvantage of the Wankel engine is also the result of the absence of the intake valves. Since these engines have no intake valves, automakers have to devise a way to inject the fuel inside the combustion chamber in a very short span of time while the combustion chamber is open. The result is more fuel consumption. But just like diesel engines, Wankel engines are also being improved to have a better fuel economy. In fact, Mazda is reportedly working on the development of a Wankel engine that will run on hydrogen.

The special edition RX-8 will be a rare breed since Mazda is only planning to manufacture 200 units of the vehicle. The RX-8 special edition will have a starting price of $26,500 according to the automaker.

Mazda MX-5 setting New Guinness World Record

By Kraig Johanssen

Mazda MX-5 famous around the world as a lightweight, open top, two seat sports car has recently set a new record as total production of the roadster reaches 800,000 units.

This important milestone was reached within the span of seventeen years and nine months right after the first production of the MX-5 started way back in April of 1989. The Roadster was certified as the world’s top selling lightweight, open-top, two seat sports car by the Guinness World Records of United Kingdom in the year 2000 when Mazda reached 531,890 units of produced MX-5.

And now Mazda is once again reapplying with the Guinness organization to have its record updated as its cumu8lative production reaches 800,000 units.

The presently available third generation MX-5 features a much better driving performance which is attributed to the meticulously reduced body weight, balanced weight distribution, and also to the latest features that are follows the safety and environmental requirements. Last August 2006, Mazda has added the Power Retractable Hard Top model to the Roadster lineup.

The introduction of the Power Retraceable Hard Top that features an electric roof system that doesn’t reduce cargo space has provided the world with another first in the field of car technology. Mazda plans to continuously upgrade the Roadster and at the same time still carry forward the original concept of “Jinba Ittai”—which is concept that sees the rider and horse as one.

According to S Kasthurirengan, General Manager, Towell Auto Centre, Oman, "To date, the MX-5 Roadster has won more than 40 awards, including 2005-2006 Car of The Year in Japan and 2007 Car of the Year in Thailand. Its world acclaim is invincible and we are glad to showcase such exhilarating cars from the Mazda family."

Towell Auto Centre offers quality service to all models of Mazda. It also provide highly efficient after sales service and give quick solutions to various problems encountered by their customers with regards to the Mazda model they bought. At present the Towell Auto Centre has a network of 10 service outlets and 10 parts outlets that offer high quality auto parts Mazda across the Sultanate supports customer service.

Towell Auto Centre’s service and parts outlets provide quick and efficient service with genuine parts available for all models plus with highly trained staff who takes pride on the quality of service that they provide.

Mazda Puts Beauty in MX-5 Roadster Coupe 1.8i

By Craig Johanssen

Classy women are very meticulous when it comes to beauty or the physical appearance. The designs of their accessories are well detailed, glamorous, elegant and very eloquent looking. When looking for a car, the same characteristics are the basis of these women. Something that could further up lift their persona and that would always make them stand out in a crowd.

Mazda releases its classy folding hard-top version of its MX-5 – the MX-5 Roadster Coupe 1.8i. It is so glamorous from any angle that every woman will desire. Proportionately designed, the MX-5 was designed from the beginning as a two-seater convertible sports car. Aside from the very aggressive headlights, the side mirrors and the fenders look very much complementary in their appearances.

That is not all! Those features are just for the exterior. The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe 1.8i offers more advantageous features beyond its classy looks. It comes with a rear wheel drive, a fearless engine with top of the line Mazda engine oil cooler, and direct steering that gives the vehicle a clean and handy feeling as you sit low to the ground and struggle through the traffic and corner the edges of the road. In this aspect, the vehicle resembles a sports car which some classy women also desire.

It comes with either the 1.8i or the top-of-the-range 2.0i Sport engine. And either of the two gives sufficiently quick speed. This Roadster Coupe can handle the 0-62mph sprint in a mere 9.6 seconds. This is because of the 124bhp in a fairly light car. It is 37kg more than the soft-top version. This measure is not bad when it comes to the weight of a metal roof and all the connected mechanical things that are required to electrically lower it. Generally speaking, the car feels very alive and remarking.

According to Mazda, the vehicle’s exceptionally balanced driving dynamics exudes the “Jinba Ittai”. It is the Japanese philosophy which translates in English as “the relationship between the rider and the horse”. Green minds are not important in this aspect but the philosophy is really seen in the performance and dynamics of the vehicle.

Originally built in Britain, the vehicle has men fans as well because aside from its elegant good looks, this car has also not failed in performance (a thing that man drivers always look for).

Through pressing the roof-down bottom, you would be amazed with the retraction speed of just 12 seconds up or down, making it the fastest opening/closing retractable hard-top in the world. The roof lifts, folds and tucks itself away between the seats in the rear and the tiny boot. The boot can only contain 150 liters of luggage space, but it is not a hindrance at all.

What comes with a very classy vehicle? The answer: a very classy price. Its price starts at £18,530. Yes, it is a bit expensive than the entry-level coupe cabrios from Ford or Vauxhall. It is also around £4,000 more expensive than the Peugeot 207 CC 1.6 or the Mitsubishi Colt CZC. Nonetheless, if you really need an elegant and high performance vehicle, you need to grab this price.

Glamour, eloquence, excellent style, comfort, excellent performance, better engine, and class – everything is in the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe 1.8i. Whether you are a woman in style, or a man of strength, you will surely love this car. Grab it and stand out in the crowd!

About the Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 is a sports car built since 1989 by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. Also known as “Miata” in North America and “Roadster” in Japan, the vehicle was a significant evolution in the motor car industry since its introduction. It revived the roadster segment of sports cars while other companies were also introducing roadsters to their model ranges, such as the MG F, and the third-generation Toyota MR2.

For the record, there have been three generations of the MX-5. And each consists of huge technical, mechanical and electronic upgrades. The first generation (NA) was introduced from 1989 to 1993 and sold more than 400,000 units. Initially, it had a 1.6-liter straight-4 engine, and then a 1.8-liter engine from 1994-2004. The distinctive pop-up headlights became the standing image of the NA. In 1999, the second generation MX-5 (NB) was introduced. There was a minute increase in the engine power and its fixed headlights, and the glass rear window became its distinctive features. In 2005, the third generation (NC) was introduced with a 2.0-liter engine; its fender bulges over the wheel wells became its distinctive features.

As of the latest record this year, the Mazda MX-5 is the best selling sports car all over the world. It already sold more than 800,000 vehicles.