Mazda Hikes Mazda5 and Mazda6 Prices in the UK by 2%

Citing the continued weakening of the British Pound against the Euro and rising costs in materials, Mazda UK announced that prices of its Mazda6 and Mazda5 range will be going up by 2 percent in April. This move will raise the prices of Mazda6 cars by an average of £345 and Mazda5 vehicles by £323 starting from April 1st - no, this ain't an April Fool's Day joke...

"Recent rises in some raw materials costs and fluctuations in the Yen/Pound exchange rate mean that we have to increase prices on the Mazda5 and Mazda6 range from 1 April," commented Mark Cameron, Sales & Marketing Director Mazda UK. "We are keeping these rises to just 2 percent, which is much less than the increases introduced by many other brands," he added.

EuroNCAP's Revised Safety Ratings for Six New Cars Including Mazda6, Avensis and Impreza

The European organization for the assessment of vehicle safety has published the first results under its updated rating system. Up until now, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle, but with the new system there's an overall rating for every car covering Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist which takes into account systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders.

Of the six cars tested under the new ratings system, four managed to achieve Euro NCAP's maximum award of five stars: the Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ. Citroen's C3 Picasso minivan and the Subaru Impreza were both awarded four stars.

According to Euro NCAP, with the exception of the Subaru Impreza, all the other cars failed to impress on pedestrian protection.

After the announcement of the results, Mitsubishi and Subaru both said that they would change their ESC (electronic stability control) fitment policies for the Lancer and Impreza, as variants of these models without optional ESC were offered in some Euroepan countries.

Euro NCAP's new rating scheme requires all safety equipment, including ESC, to be standard on 85% of volume sales and at least optionally available on every variant.

New 2009 Mazda6 Receives its first Recall

Approximately 29,000 MY2009 Mazda6 cars are being recalled in the States due to a problem with the outer door handles that may not latch correctly allowing the door to open while the vehicle is in motion. In an official announcement, Mazda said that its U.S. dealers will inspect the 6's door handles and if necessary, repair or replace the handles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of February. Concerned owners may contact Mazda for more information directly at 1-800-222-5500.

New Mazda6 and Mazda2 Tamura Special Edition Models

Mazda's UK division is celebrating the New Year -or so they say- with the introduction of three new 'Tamura' Special Edition models based on its Mazda2 three- and five-door and, Mazda6 hatchback cars. All models come equipped with a sport styling exterior and interior package as well as additional standard features and unique color offerings.

Starting with the Mazda6 5dr Tamura, it is offered exclusively with a 147HP 2.0-liter petrol engine that helps it accelerate from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 10.2 seconds. Available in two unique mica colors – Sparkling Black and Velocity Red – plus Galaxy Grey mica and Sunlight Silver metallic, the Mazda6 Tamura stands out thanks to the addition of a Sports Styling Pack. It includes front and rear sports bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler, plus privacy glass, clear rear light bezels, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and special 'Tamura' badging. Inside, there's alloy pedals and Tamura branded floor mats.

Standard equipment on the Mazda6 Tamura includes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS), six airbags, remote central locking, Karakuri 60/40 split folding rear seats, a radio/single CD audio system with 6 speakers and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players, electric and heated door mirrors, cruise control, trip computer with speed alarm, dual-zone climate control airconditioning, leather steering wheel and gear knob, a rear seat centre armrest and CF-Net steering wheels controls, plus a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

The Mazda6 2.0 5dr Tamura is priced at £16,695, or £306 more than the equivalent TS model.

Available with a choice of three-door or five-door hatchback body styles and a 1.3-litre, 86HP petrol engine, the Mazda2 1.3 Tamura is based on the regular TS2 model. Like the Mazda6, it too benefits from the addition of a Sports Styling Pack that includes front and rear sports bumpers, a two-piece sports grille, side skirts, rear spoiler, unique 16-inch dark grey alloy wheels, special 'Tamura' badging and free metallic/mica or pearlescent paint.

For the exterior there is a choice of four colors – unique Aluminium Metallic or Radiant Ebony Mica, plus either Aurora Blue Mica (for the 5dr model) or Crystal White Pearlescent. Inside, branded Tamura floor mats are fitted.

Standard equipment includes body coloured electric folding door mirrors, manual air-conditioning, silver bezels on the steering wheel, electric front windows, driver seat height adjustment, CD radio with auxiliary input jack and four speakers, multifunction glovebox with magazine rack, 60/40 split rear seats, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, as well as a leather steering wheel and gear knob. Safety and security equipment includes ABS with Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, driver and passenger front airbags, side and curtain airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks plus Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

Prices for the Mazda2 1.3 Tamura start at £10,275 for the 3d and at £10,775 for the 5dr -£397 more than the equivalent TS2 models.

2009 Tokyo Auto Salon: Mazda6 Circuit Trial Version

Even though most of the automotive world will be turning its attention this weekend towards Detroit and the 2009 North American International Auto Show, in Japan, automakers are readying their tuning proposals for the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon that runs from January 9 to 11. Mazda will be presenting several cars at the show, including Mazdaspeed modified, track-ready versions of the new Axela, RX-8, Demio (Mazda2) and Atenza (Mazda6) called 'Circuit Trial'. In this post we've included the first photos of the Mazda6 Circuit Trial.

Like the other Circuit Trial models, the Mazda6 has been modified to offer higher levels of performance without sacrificing the comforts you'd expect from an everyday car. Mazdaspeed's upgrades include an M'z Custom bodykit with front, rear and side lip spoilers, race-inspired decals, a rear wing, Recaro bucket seats, sport interior trim and, larger diameter and grippier tires with dark alloy wheels made by Yokohama. The Circuit Trial Mazda6 also benefits from a lowered, sports tuned suspension and more powerful brakes.

Pics via: Carview

Mazda to Present Circuit Trial Versions of New Mazda3, Mazda6 and RX-8 at Tokyo Salon

While the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon that will be held in Japan from January 9 to 11, isn't considered a major event from a global perspective, nevertheless Mazda has announced that it will showcase a lineup of 13 vehicles and eco-friendly technologies. Mazda's exhibits will include the next-generation Axela (known as the Mazda3 in international markets), which is being revealed for the first time in Japan. Other exhibits will include "Circuit Trial" versions of the new Axela, RX-8, Demio (Mazda2) and Atenza (Mazda6) and six customized versions of the new Biante minivan, which went on sale earlier this year.

It goes without saying that the most attention-grabbing models are the Circuit Trial versions that have been developed by Mazdaspeed. The racing circuit ready variants of the Mazda2, Mazda6, Mazda3 and RX-8 will feature an array of equipment and performance upgrades that include M'z Custom aeroparts, Recaro bucket seats and large diameter tires and alloy wheels made by Yokohama.

Mazda's exhibits at Tokyo Auto Salon 2009

No.	Model	Vehicle/Accessory type
1	All-new Mazda3 (N.A. spec model)	Reference exhibit
2	All-new Mazda Axela Circuit Trial*2	Reference exhibit
3	Mazda RX-8 Circuit Trial	Reference exhibit
4	Mazda Demio Circuit Trial	Reference exhibit
5	Mazda Atenza Circuit Trial	Reference exhibit
6	Mazda Biante WAGONIST Custom	Production accessories
7	Mazda Biante SYTLE WAGON Custom	Production accessories
8	Mazda Biante Rotas RV Special	Production accessories
9	Mazda Biante Columbia Sport MTB Special	Production accessories
10	Mazda Biante DAMD	Production accessories
11	Mazda Biante KENSTYLE	Production accessories
12	All-new Mazda Roadster NR-A	Production vehicle
13	Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid	Reference exhibit

Mazda Releases Special Edition Atenza Sedan in Japan

When automakers don't have anything new to offer, they often create special edition models. Such is the case with Mazda that announced the launch of the '2.0 Style Edition' Atenza sedan which is known as the Mazda6 in overseas markets like Europe and North America. This special edition model which is available only in Japan is based on the Atenza 20C model grade and is powered by a 2.0-liter engine hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission.

What makes this edition special in the eyes of Mazda is a series of features that include LED indicators embedded in the door mirrors, discharge headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in 215/50 R17 rubber, blackout gauges (the dashboard and instrument panel dials are visible only when the engine is engaged) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The Atenza 2.0 Style Edition is offered in Japan with a choice of six exterior body colors, including Lilac Silver Metallic and Stormy Blue Mica which aren't available for the base model Atenza Sedan 20C.

Special equipment

-LED indicators embedded in the door mirrors

-Front fog lights (built into the bumper)

-Discharge headlights (with auto leveling function on low beam)

-Water-repellant coating (windshield, front windows and door mirrors)

-Dark tinted glass (rear doors and rear window)

-215/50R17 91W tires and 17-inch alloy wheels

-Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

-Blackout meters (the dashboard and instrument panel dials are visible only when the engine is engaged.)

-Audio-less specification with four speakers (to best match each driver's needs, the Atenza is equipped with four speakers and a space for a head unit in the center panel. The steering wheel is also free of remote control switches. The Audio-less spec allows for maximum variety of audio systems.)

2009 Mazda6 Laguna Seca Moto GP Safety Car

Our friend Steve from Autofiends managed to snap the 2009 Mazda6 Safety Car that will debut at this weekend’s Laguna Seca Moto GP during the U.S. media presentation of Mazda’s new mid-size sedan (see full image gallery here). Apart from the tasteful decals, the sexy alloy wheels in anthracite color and the red brake calipers, the Mazda6 Safety Car also seems to be equipped with a sports suspension bringing it closer to the ground. Until Mazda decides to present a successor to the Speed6, we guess this is as sporty as the Mazda6 gets. -Image gallery after the jump





Via: Autofiends

2009 Mazda6 U.S. Spec: 58 High-Res Images / Wallpapers

Following yesterday’s announcement on the Mazda6’s pricing (click here for details), we bring you the first detailed image gallery of the North American version of the “6” that will arrive in U.S. dealerships this August. Longer and with a different rear-end design than its European and Japanese siblings, the N.A. Mazda6 can be equipped with a 170 Hp 2.5-liter four-pot or a 273 Hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. -Follow the jump for the image gallery