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Video: ’76 Mazda pickup is the perfect base for a Radio Flyer wagon. Who knew?

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Mazda, Toys/Games, Humor, Specialty

Radio Flyer pickup

Radio Flyer truck – Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you’ve ever thought about picking up a yellow Hummer and painting the word “Tonka” across the side or building a working replica of your favorite Hot Wheels fantasy car, have we got a story for you. An elderly couple in Alaska has built a jumbo Radio Flyer wagon out of an old truck, and what’s more, they drive it around Anchorage on a regular basis.

The underpinnings were borrowed from a 1976 Mazda pickup which Judy Foster (not to be confused with the Silence of the Lambs star, Jodie) inherited from her father. After they took possession, her husband Fred Keller started an eleven-month project to turn it into an overgrown childhood dream. The result is reportedly fully street legal and gets nothing but smiles wherever it goes. Fred and Judy will just have to watch that eight-foot tall handle clearing any low ceilings in parking garages. Follow the jump to watch the KTUU video segment for yourself.

[Source: KTUU]

Continue reading Video: ’76 Mazda pickup is the perfect base for a Radio Flyer wagon. Who knew?

Video: ’76 Mazda pickup is the perfect base for a Radio Flyer wagon. Who knew? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Mazda RX-8 to use Sky G rotary

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Mazda

Mazda Rotary Engine

Mazda has big plans for the future of its rotary engine. According to GoAuto, the company is currently hard at work on improving the powerplant’s fuel economy by a full 50 percent. If it can pull it off, the new mill will proudly wear the same “Sky” designation as its traditional four-cylinder counterparts. The site quotes Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director of R&D and program management, as saying that upping the rotary’s fuel economy is essential for the engine’s survival.

From the sound of things, Mazda is wholly committed to keeping a rotary in its stable. In the report, Kanai says the company is investigating every possible aspect of the engine’s design to look for ways to increase efficiency, down to the very principles behind the design. Even so, he stopped short of saying whether or not the company is toying with an electric turbocharger as part of development.

Even with word that the Japanese automaker is stoking the rotary flames, GoAuto reports the company currently has no plans for a legitimate RX-7 successor. While designers and engineers within the company may be itching to jump onto a new sports car, the company’s decision makers are currently more occupied with slimming its corporate average fuel economy.

[Source: GoAuto]

Report: Next Mazda RX-8 to use Sky G rotary originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #193 – Hot Mustangs, Volt Mileage, 1 Series M, Mazda design and Lotus Evoras

Filed under: Aftermarket, Podcasts, Etc., BMW, Chevrolet, GM, Honda, Lexus, Mazda

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Chris, Sam, Alex and Dan convene for Episode #193 of the Autoblog Podcast. We cover the Ford Boss Mustang and Roush supercharger package, the latest Chevrolet Volt fuel economy dust-up, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, Mazda’s apparent new design language and the Lotus Evora S and Evora IPS. We finish it off by talking about snow tires, that most summery of topics. It’s an a quick 51 minutes, See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #193 – Hot Mustangs, Volt Mileage, 1 Series M, Mazda design and Lotus Evoras

In the Autoblog Garage:

Honda CRZ
Lexus RX450h

News:

BMW 1 Series M Coupe
Volt sub-30 mpg claim
Mazda Shinari concept
Roush Mustang supercharger
Lotus Evora S and IPS

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez

Runtime: 50:59

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #193 – Hot Mustangs, Volt Mileage, 1 Series M, Mazda design and Lotus Evoras originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Mazda, Design/Style

Mazda Shinari Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Mazda invited us to Milan to see its new concept car, we knew it must be something important. Normally concept cars get their 15 minutes of fame at an auto show, and then it’s off to the next press conference to see what the following automaker will introduce. Not so with Mazda’s latest styling endeavor. The Japanese automaker wanted our full and undivided attention, with the center of international design and fashion in Italy as a fitting backdrop.

The Shinari concept, which roughly translates to “resistance to being bent,” will serve as a the basis for Mazda’s new design language, and many of the styling cues will make it to future production vehicles. That means that the Shinari will essentially affect the design of every vehicle coming from the Japanese automaker for the next several years. An important car for Mazda? You bet.

The Shinari was officially unveiled earlier today, and we spent several hours talking with Mazda’s artists about the design and how it will affect the automaker’s forthcoming vehicles. Follow the jump to learn more about the Shinari and what it means for the brand’s future.

Gallery: Mazda Shinari Concept In Detail

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Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda sets lightweight target of 2,200 pounds for next-gen MX-5

Filed under: Performance, Mazda

Mazda MX-5 Miata – Click above for high-res image gallery

The original Mazda MX-5 made its U.S. debut in 1989, and back then, the Miata was a lithe little roadster that immediately drew praise for its superior handling and a fun-to-drive nature. Each generation that followed packed on more pounds and additional amenities, slightly blunting the car’s appeal as a simple roadster at an affordable price. But the next MX-5 – due to arrive in 2012 – Mazda has set a target weight of 2,200 pounds and returning it to its former glory.

At just over a ton, the next-gen MX-5 will tip the scales slightly more than the original 1989 model, but it will still retain its 50/50 weight distribution that makes the roadster a wonderfully balanced machine. To keep weight in check, Mazda will employ one of its newly-developed, SKY-G gasoline engines which the company claims will boost efficiency by 15 percent while also increasing power over previous engine designs. Mazda predicts that its next-gen MX-5 could touch 50 miles per gallon, a remarkable achievement for the quintessential roadster.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

Mazda sets lightweight target of 2,200 pounds for next-gen MX-5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mazda working on CX-5?

Filed under: Crossover, Mazda, Rumormill

Mazda Kazamai Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mazda spoke of expanding its line with a small crossover as far back as 2008, with such talk led by the appearance of the Kazamai Concept. According to Autocar, Mazda is preparing to have said “new small SUV” prepped for sale at the end of 2011. When it was mentioned two years ago, the idea was that the vehicle would help position Mazda as an aspirational brand; now it sounds like it could be extravagant design meeting frugal economy.

For Mazda, a CX-5 would provide an option in a segment it knows consumers are moving toward, and the vehicle being discussed could be a gas mileage champ. Mazda is reportedly boasting of a 100kg weight savings vs. the competitors (that’s a not-insubstantial 220 pounds), as well as power from the company’s already frugal Sky engines. Some whispers about three- and five-door versions have been recorded, but remember, for the moment these are all still whispered rumors, not facts.

Gallery: Mazda Kazamai Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mazda working on CX-5? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MotoGP 2010 USA: Live action from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca [Spoilers]

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

MotoGP action from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re live from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca today for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, and we just witnessed some awesome racing action. Well, awesome for some riders, less so for others. For instance, we’re certain that Factory Honda rider Dani Pedrosa isn’t particularly pleased with his result.

After leading the race for the first 11 laps, Pedrosa crashed out at turn five. Yamaha-mounted Jorge Lorenzo, who had positioned himself in second position following Pedrosa, inherited first place. He would not relinquish his grip on the lead for the remainder of the race, earning his sixth win of the 2010 season and his first at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The rest of the field sorted itself out over the course of the race, with Ducati (for now, at least) rider Casey Stoner finding himself in second place behind Lorenzo by 3.5 seconds. Third position was claimed by Valentino Rossi, who made his second start of the season riding with a broken leg.

Andrea Dovizioso relinquished third position to Rossi with just five laps left to go in the race, and he ended up finishing in fourth place. American riders managed to take the next three slots, with Nicky Hayden edging out Ben Spies and Colin Edwards (in that order) for fifth. Check out our high-res image gallery below and see the full finishing order after the break.

Gallery: MotoGP 2010: Race action from Mazda Raceway

Continue reading MotoGP 2010 USA: Live action from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca [Spoilers]

MotoGP 2010 USA: Live action from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FIM e-Power 2010: Last lap lead change at Mazda Raceway

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Electric, Racing

Michael Czysz at the FIM e-Power International Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

In racing, planning is everything. This point was proven once again as the bright yellow (Flying Banana, if you will) race machine from Lightning Motors held the lead of the e-Power International Championship until the very last few hundred feet. And then ran out of juice.

Sadly, for Lightning Motors at least, this slight miscalculation allowed the Flying Banana to be passed literally just feet ahead of the finish line by Michael Czysz, who took the win mounted on his own MotoCzysz E1pc electric race bike. For those keeping track, Czysz was 6.7 seconds behind at the start of the last lap.

Michael Barnes took second place on the Lightning Motors machine, followed by Thijs de Ridder aboard the Crystalite bike. Our congratulations to all of the riders!

Gallery: e-Power International Championship at Mazda Raceway

FIM e-Power 2010: Last lap lead change at Mazda Raceway originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shocking Rumor! Mazda considers RX-7 revival

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mazda, Rumormill

Rumors about a true successor to the FD RX-7 have been kicking around automotive circles since… oh, just about exactly when the car left the world for good way back in 2002. While it could be argued that the Mazda RX-8 is a spiritual progeny of the Zoom-Zoom kingdom’s white night, the four-door sports car doesn’t quite stack up to its curvaceous predecessor. It would seem that Autocar is doing its best to keep the flame alive for the return of the RX-7, this time with – gasp – a new set of leaked details from an insider close to the project. Consider us stunned.

According to Autocar, the project could yield a car much closer to the original RX-7 recipe by as early as 2013. Supposedly – and stop us if you’ve heard this one before – the company is working on a new rotary mill to be used with an electric turbo for a little extra grunt. With the RX-8 on its way out the door and no word of a replacement on the horizon, it would seem only fitting for Mazda to be working on something rear-wheel drive with a Wankel at its heart, but given the lack of hard sources and solid details, we’re going to have to take this one with a jumbo-sized side of skepticism.

[Source: Autocar]

Shocking Rumor! Mazda considers RX-7 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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