Posts Tagged ‘Mazda’
Sunday, May 15th, 2011
Review and photos by
Peter Bleakney, Autos.ca
*featured make=’Mazda’ model=’CX-7′
*relatedNew make=’Chevrolet’ model=’Equinox’
*relatedNew make=’Ford’ model=’Edge’
*relatedUsed make=’Honda’ model=’Pilot’
*relatedUsed make=’Toyota’ model=’RAV4′
With the mid-sized crossover segment hotter than a two-dollar pistol, it’s pretty easy for vehicles to get lost in the shuffle as the latest offerings get all the media attention and advertising dollars. The hot commodities for 2011 are the new Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and refreshed Ford Edge. Last year the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain basked in the limelight.
2011 Mazda CX-7 GX
And way back in 2006 (introduced as a 2007) it was the radical Mazda CX-7 with its steeply raked windscreen and sculpted front fenders that had the tongues a-waggin’.
A recent stint behind the wheel of the front-wheel-drive 2011 CX-7 GX drove home the fact that shoppers should not simply default to what they spy in the glossiest ads. This Mazda holds up as one of the better crossovers on the market, especially if style, build quality and driving dynamics are high on your priority list. (more…)
Tags: 2011, CX-7, GX, Mazda
Posted in Gallery, Reviews | No Comments »
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Review and photos by
Chris Chase, Autos.ca
The Mazda RX-8 is a cool-looking car, no doubt about it. But what sets it apart has nothing to do with aesthetics, but rather with the unique engine under its hood: the RX-8 is the only mass-produced vehicle of its time to use a Wankel rotary engine.
2009 Mazda RX-8
The Wankel dates back to 1951, when a German named Felix Wankel began developing it while working for automaker NSU. I’ll save you the history lesson and skip to 1967, when Mazda sold its first rotary-powered car, the Cosmo 110S. The RX-7, arguably the best-known rotary-engined car, period, debuted in 1979, lived through three generations, until 2002, when it went away and was replaced in 2004 with the RX-8.
For those who want a more detailed history of the technology, go here; and click here for an animation that shows a Wankel rotary in action. (more…)
Tags: 2004-2011, Mazda, RX-8
Posted in Gallery, Used Cars | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
By Chris Chase, CanadianDriver.com
Sometimes, all you need is a little truck. Mazda knows this, which is why its B-Series pickup has been in production since 1972. It’s had ties to Ford’s small trucks since the beginning, but became a twin to the Ranger in all but its name in 1994. That relationship carried over to the fifth generation model, introduced in 1998.
Mazda B-Series
It’s either a tribute to the design’s solidity or an admission by Ford that profits in this segment are as small as the trucks themselves that the current B-Series/Ranger has changed little in the 12 years since that 1998 redesign.
In that year, the B-Series was offered with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (119 hp/146 lb.-ft. of torque), or a choice of 3.0-litre (150 hp/185 lb.-ft.) or 4.0-litre (160 hp/225 lb.-ft.) V6s; with the truck’s model names being based on engine displacement, the base version was the B2500, while the B3000 and B4000 were up-market options. (more…)
Tags: 1998-2010, B-Series, Mazda, pickup
Posted in Gallery, Used Cars | Comments Off
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Review and photos by
Paul Williams, CanadianDriver.com
*featured make=’Mazda’ model=’MX-5 PRHT’
*relatedNew make=’Volkswagen’ model=’Eos’
*relatedNew make=’Mitsubishi’ model=’Eclipse’
*relatedUsed make=’BMW’ model=’Z4′
*relatedUsed make=’Audi’ model=’TT’
Standard on the $39,995 2010 Mazda MX-5 GT, and a $2,295 option on the $33,495 GS model (both models add $1,595 freight), the power retractable hardtop (PRHT) is a must-have item for some buyers, an appreciated but not required feature for others, and perhaps an unnecessary expense for the balance.
2010 Mazda MX-5 PRHT
Without a doubt, Mazda’s PRHT is a clever piece of kit. The top raises or retracts in twelve seconds, and doesn’t require a separate cover when retracted. Operation involves the use of a single latch, and the press of a button.
In the “down” position, the PRHT doesn’t require more space than the cloth top, so the 150-litre trunk capacity remains the same regardless. Consequently, there is no cargo-space trade-off required when specifying the PRHT, although it does add 10-millimetres to the height of the car, and overall weight is increased by 27 kilograms. In everyday driving, its impact on handling is minimal, if evident at all. (more…)
Tags: 2010, Mazda, MX-5 PRHT
Posted in Gallery, Most Popular Articles, Reviews | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
The 8th Stop for the American Le Mans Series
Michael Schlee
The American Le Mans Series race took place at Mosport this past weekend. Despite the less then favourable weather conditions, fans turned out by the thousands.
ALMS
Torrential rains Saturday, blistering winds Sunday and cool temperatures all weekend kept things interesting for the race teams. More then a few teams left the weekend with bent race cars.
(more…)
Tags: Acura, ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Corvette, Ferrari, Mazda, Michael Schlee, Mosport, Panoz, racing, Road Racing
Posted in Gallery, News | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Celebrating Automotive Passion
Michael Schlee
Over 120 Mazda’s showed up. Race cars, custom cars, show cars and 40+ years of rotary powered vehicles were on hand. The event was Mazdaspeed North and it took place this past Sunday at Scarboro Mazda. The event was a huge success and rose over $2000 for The Hospital for Sick Children.
Mazda Cosmo 110S
Those who made it out got a glimpse of some very rare and special vehicles from Mazda’s past including a 1967 Mazda Cosmo 110S.
(more…)
Tags: cosmo, Mazda, Mazdaspeed, Mazdaspeed 3, Miata, Michael Schlee, rotary, RX-7, RX-8
Posted in Gallery, News | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
MAZDASPEED North is set for this weekend
Michael Schlee
It is rare that professional race teams take time out of their busy schedule for a meet and greet session. But for those of you lucky enough to be in the Toronto area this weekend, you have a great opportunity to meet a few race teams.
Dyson Racing
The event is called ‘MAZDASPEED North’ and is taking place at Scarboro Mazda at 2124 Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough. The event will be showcasing race teams, car clubs and automotive products in an effort to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Children. There will be a BBQ, DJ, prizes and displays throughout the day.
(more…)
Tags: Charity, Mazda, Michael Schlee, Motorsport, Race Teams, racing
Posted in Gallery, News | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
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Models That Have Stood The Test of Time
Michael Schlee
This is a continuation of the previous post ICONS – Part 1. To summarize, car Icons represent a manufacturer’s ideals, technology, passion and purpose. Okay, that may be overstating things a bit, but for the most part it is true.
Porsche 911
So what qualifies as car as an Icon? Many great cars have come and gone in North America over the years, such as the Countach, Viper, Supra, Chevelle, Cobra, etc. But the question is, where they truly icons? Great cars, yes; amazing cars even, but true long lasting icons? They were all important during their time in history, but for one reason or another, they were all discontinued. Also, being that we live in North America, we are only dealing with icons that made it to our shores.
(more…)
Tags: 240Z, 260Z, 300SL, 300ZX, 350Z, 370Z, GTI, Icon, Mazda, Mercedes, Michael Schlee, Nissan, porsche, RX-3, RX-4, RX-7, RX-8, SL-series, SL500, SL65, Volkswagen
Posted in Gallery, News | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
A Day of Racing, Parading, Cold Weather and Sunburns
Michael Schlee
It’s not everyday that I get an opportunity like I did this past weekend. I was invited out to Mosport International Raceway to do some ‘parade lapping’ at lunch in my own car. All I had to do was watch some great grass-roots racing and make a small donation to the Hospital for Sick Children. It was a Win-Win-Win situation, how could I pass it up?
RaceOntario GT Sprints
Anyone close to the racing world knows how legendary Mosport International Raceway is. To get the opportunity to drive around it in any form is one I have been waiting for. However, to run it you usually need serious safety equipment, serious money, and serious racing experience; all things I do not posses. More on that later.
(more…)
Tags: BEMC, CASC, Charity, Mazda, Michael Schlee, Mosport, racing, RX8, Spring Trophy Races
Posted in Gallery, News | 8 Comments »
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
Touring the Mazda Display at CIAS
By Michael Schlee
Mazda wins hands down for the largest turntable at CIAS. No other manufacturer attempted the ’3 Car Turntable’ except for Mazda.
Photo: Michael Schlee
Aside from the gargantuan turntable, Mazda’s big news at CIAS is the world premiere of the 2010 refreshed CX-7 CUV. It was nice to get a world premiere at CIAS, thanks Mazda.
(more…)
Tags: Auto Show, Car show, CIAS, Mazda, Michael Schlee, Toronto
Posted in Gallery, News, Toronto 2009 | No Comments »
