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News

Mazda is developing a new small SUV

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For years, Mazda has had a bad business policy that has cost the company financial losses and the loss of a large number of customers. However, the latest information suggests that Mazda is waking up, and several sketches announce the arrival of a new small SUV, the Mazda CX-20.

The Mazda 2 is leaving the market soon, and the same could happen with the hybrid version, the Mazda 2 Hybrid. This is a sign that the Japanese company urgently needs a new model from the B-segment that could restore at least some of the reputation it once had.

The company plans to expand its plant in Thailand, and has reached an agreement with the government for an investment of 148 million dollars. This means an increase in annual production to 100,000 cars, not only for the domestic Thai market, but also for other world markets. The new Mazda BT-50 will be one of those produced at these plants, and it will be joined by two new models that will arrive in the next 2-3 years.

What can be seen in the sketches is that the car will have a sporty design, which is currently adopted by many manufacturers of this type of vehicle, and which has proven to be very successful. It will have round taillights or Mazda-style semi-circular daytime running lights.

The Mazda 2 Hybrid was a rebranded Toyota Yaris, which didn’t turn out to be a smart move. Now the question is whether Mazda will repeat the same mistake and try to clone the Toyota model again.

Source: Reuters

Tuning

First generation Mazda MX-5 as EV

The British company Electrogenic is specialized in turning classic cars into EVs, and some of their projects are the Porsche 911, Land Rover Defender and Jaguar E-Type. One of their latest projects is the Mazda MX-5.

The new equipment kit has increased the vehicle’s weight by 100 kilograms, but it should be noted that the conversion process is reversible and owners can return their car to its original configuration if they wish. This approach allows them to take advantage of the benefits of electrification, but also to restore the historical value of their vehicle.

The Mazda MX-5 is powered by a single electric motor with more than 160 hp (117 kW) and 228 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque, paired with a single-speed gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. It is equipped with a 42 kWh battery that is located where the 1.8-liter engine used to be, as well as the fuel tank. The battery provides a range of 240 kilometers, and it takes up to an hour to fully charge the battery.

The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in more than 6 seconds with a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph). Drivers can use two modes, Eco which maximizes range, and Sport for maximum performance. It should be noted that the equipment kit is compatible with versions with manual and automatic transmissions.

The price of the upgrade has not been announced.

Source: Electrogenic

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First generation Mazda MX-5 as EV
News

Mazda Iconic SP goes into production

At the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Mazda revealed a concept car that could now go into production. It is a sports car Iconic SP, which represents a combination of classic and modern design.

General Manager Design Division at Mazda Masashi Nakayama said that this is not just a show car, but a car created with the real intention of hitting the road one day.

This finally resolved the doubt whether Mazda will start production of the Iconic SP. It will likely be offered in two versions, as a sports car that will follow in the footsteps of the RX-7 and RX-8, but also as a smaller car closer in size to the popular MX-5 roadster. Also, with its appearance, the Iconic SP represents a review of the design of Mazda’s sports cars.

When it comes to the powertrain, the option is a hybrid system – a combination of electric and rotary engine – with a total power of 375 hp (276 kW). In this case, the rotary engine has the role of a range extender, so that the car can move even when the battery is empty. Of course, during development, it was also taken into account that the car can use several types of carbon-neutral fuel, which reduces harmful emissions by up to 90 percent.

There will be more information in the coming months.

Source: Mazda

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Mazda Iconic SP goes into production