Mazda Roadster 1800DOHC VS

Mazda Motor Corporation has received the "Auto Color Award 2001" Grand Pix from the Japan Fashion Color Association for the new "crystal blue metallic" color of the Mazda Roadster.

Mazda Roadster new MX-5

The Association listed the following points in making its selection:
- The beautiful and clear tone of the blue agrees with trendy fashion colors and, at the same time, makes the curved shape of the Roadster even more attractive.
- The charming color gives an impression of being fresh, sophisticated, and active, making it suitable for the new century of bright hopes.
- Using two types of luster, aluminum and newly-developed mica, has brought out the expression of the color.
- The color innovates the sports car's image and beauty.

Mazda Roadsters desktop wallpaper

The "crystal blue metallic" color was developed as the new Roadster's theme color to support the "youthful and stylish" image. Among the seven exterior colors available for the Roadster, "crystal blue metallic" is the most popular, accounting for about 23% *2 of all Roadsters sold.

Auto Color Award 2001 Grand Prix

Originally introduced in 1989, Roadster continues to reflect the "oneness between car and driver" concept. The car features distinctive styling with its open air driving. Mazda has sold over 580,000*3 Roadsters worldwide since 1989. The Roadster was recognized recently as the world's top-selling lightweight, open two-seat sports car by Guinness World Records. With major changes in July 2000, the model enjoys strong sales throughout the world and continues to set new records.
*1: Given to the best color design of all cars released in Japan between November 1999 and October 2000.
*2: Percentage of sales since July 2000, when "crystal blue metallic" was used for the first time, to December 2000.
*3: From April 1989 to December 2000; cumulative production: 584,992 Roadsters.

MX Sport Tourer 2001 Geneva Motor Show

Mazda will reveal the "MX SPORT TOURER" concept model at the Geneva Motor Show Tuesday, February 27.

MX Sport Tourer 2001

"MX SPORT TOURER", a new kind of vehicle, combines the athletic styling of a sports car with the functionality of an estate model.

2001 MX Sport Tourer interior

Using recycled materials made from replaced bumpers

Mazda has started to use recycled materials made from replaced bumpers, collected at dealerships nationwide, for bumper reinforcement parts of Mazda Familia series.

Mazda bumper

By removing the paint layer of the bumper surface in recycling process, the recycled material keeps the same level of mechanical strength as new materials. Some automakers use similar recycled materials for limited-production models. Mazda is the first to use them for a mass production model.

Previously, the replaced bumpers were recycled without removing the paint layer for splash shields and similar components. However, when paint remains in the recycled materials, it can deteoriate the mechanical strength of the material. For parts that do not need to have as much mechanical strength, Mazda has used lower-cost recycled parts without removing the paint.

The new recycled material is produced by mechanically removing the paint layer, with a technology developed by Takase Gosei Kagaku corporation, a plastics recycling company based in Hiroshima Prefecture. This process enables Mazda to produce material with the same level of mechanical strength as the original bumper at about two-thirds of the cost compared to an existent chemical paint removing technology. This process makes it possible to use the material for the bumper reinforcement parts, with the same level of mechanical strengh as the materials for bumper fascias.

The recycled material now make up 50% of bumper reinforcement parts, where previously they were made totally of new material. Mazda plans to use 52 tons of the recycled material annually, which is approx. 45% of the collected bumpers in total. In the future, Mazda will improve this technology to increase the blending ratio for the bumper reinforcement parts or expand the use of this material to bumper fascia (bumper-to-bumper recycle).

In addition to recycling, Mazda has been working toward environmental protection including CO2 reduction, emission control and development of alternative fuel vehicles. "We aim to promote environmental protection and contribute to a better society," said Mazda president Mark Fields, "while maintaining harmony with nature in our business activities."

Premacy i Suggested Retail Prices

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (Sales tax not included)

Mazda Premacy i Suggested Retail Prices

(Unit: 1,000yen)

Engine Drive System Grade Tokyo/Nagoya Osaka/Hiroshima Yamaguchi Sapporo Sendai Fukuoka 1800 DOHC 2WD(FF) Standard 2,508 2,562 2,532 2,528 Standard;w/ side airbag 2,539 2,593 2,563 2,559 Package G 2,651 2,705 2,675 2,671 Package L 2,732 2,786 2,756 2,752 * All the models are wintry-weather enhanced.

Equipment

Features of tailgate	Built-in ramp; Lift-up gate
Loading area for wheelchair (specially-lowered floor)	Grand clearance: 320mm
Tie-down system of wheelchair	Standard electrical tie-down mechanism
Equipment for wheelchair occupant	Two-point tie-down belt
Rear suspension	Strut
Spare tire	Interior-installed
Maximum allowed dimensions and weight of wheelchair	Dimensions: 1,100mm (length)/650mm (width)/1,200mm (height). Ground clearance of step: 100mm. Length between step to front wheel shaft: 300mm. Inner width of caster: 380mm. Weight (including occupant): 160kg.

Specifications

Model	GF-CP8W modified
Body type	Station wagon
Engine	Water-cooling in-line 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve
Displacement	1,839cc
Drive wheel/Transmission	FF/4-speed automatic
Overall length/width/height	4,330mm/1,695mm/1,660mm
Curb weight	1,320Kg
Maximum capacity for occupant	5 (w/ wheelchair); 6 (w/o wheelchair)
Minimum ground clearance	150mm
Ground clearance of tailgate opening	1,280mm
Ground clearance of wheelchair compartment	1,300mm
Length of ramp	1,237mm
Width of ramp	670mm
Angle of ramp	11 °
Fuel tank capacity	43 Liter

Mazda Premacy i Incorporates Specially Lowered Floor

Mazda Motor Corporation today starts selling the disabled-accessible "Premacy i" at Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships throughout Japan. This special equipped Premacy, introduced at the 34th Tokyo Motor Show, features a spacious interior, a detachable third-row bench seat and a specially lowered floor, which allow the caregiver to push a wheelchair easily into the vehicle.

Mazda Premacy i

With a retractable ramp in the tailgate, "Premacy i" enables a passenger in a wheelchair to enter or exit without getting out of the wheelchair. Premacy i also incorporates two separate second-row seats that double-fold and make it easy for the caregiver to assist the passenger in a wheelchair.

Highlights of "Premacy i" are:
1: A spacious interior to accommodate five adults comfortably (including the passenger in the wheelchair). With the third-row bench two-passenger seat, the vehicle can handle six adults
2: Wide space between two second-row seats that enables a caregiver in the second row to assist the person in the wheelchair in the rear of the vehicle
3: Spacious legroom for the person in the wheelchair
4: Specially lowered floor that offers the passenger in a wheelchair the same eye level as other passengers, making it easier to communicate with other passengers

Mazda plans to sell 220 units of "Premacy i" annually in Japan.

Mazda also serves the needs of people in wheelchairs and caregivers with the Mazda "Carol i," first introduced in 1995, the "AZ-Wagon i," first introduced in 1997, and the "Demio-i," first introduced in 1998. All of the "i-Series*" vehicles convey the theme, "more care, more convenience." Mazda Sangyo Co. Ltd, Mazda's affiliate company, is in charge of developing and producing Mazda's i-Series products.
* "i" is the Japanese pronunciation of the word "love."

Mazda RX-8 North American Auto Show

Mazda RX-8 North American Auto Show

Highlights of the car include:

- Mazda's powerful, lightweight and compact RENESIS rotary engine
- Central mid-ship layout and 50:50 front/rear weight distribution that dramatically enhance control and handling
- Freestyle door system, with front-hinged and rear-hinged doors and no center pillar, that makes getting into and out of the rear seats faster and easier
- Comfortable seating for four adults
- A unique interior design that mixes the traditional with new contemporary material that appears to "wrap around" the passengers

"Overall the RX-8 has a compact-looking body, while providing enough interior room to seat four adults comfortably," said Kei Kado, senior managing director In charge of R & D and Quality Assurance. "The use of a compact rotary engine allows for the low hood, short overhangs, and overall sports car look while providing interior room on par with a sports sedan."

An integral part of Mazda's revolutionary engineering heritage is its 40 years of experience with the rotary engine. Mazda is the only automobile manufacturer in the world that offers a pure rotational internal combustion engine. The RENESIS rotary engine represents the potential that Mazda believes lies within this unique powerplant.

"It all starts with the rotary engine," said Phil Martens, managing director in charge of Product Strategy, Design and Product and Powertrain Development. "RENESIS is naturally aspirated, and it is 30% lighter and more compact than the turbocharged rotary engine (13B-REW) in the current RX-7. The engine's weight, size, low center of gravity, and positioning in the vehicle give the car excellent maneuverability and high-end performance.

"With its side intake and exhaust ports, the RENESIS rotary engine also enhances fuel economy and reduces emissions," he added.

The central mid-ship powertrain layout positions the engine behind the front axle, even closer to the center of the car than with Mazda's typical front mid-ship rotary engine layout.

The engine will have power levels up to 250 horsepower at 8,500 RPM, Martens said, and will meet Stage IV emissions in Europe at launch.

RX-8 structure suppresses bending and twisting of the body and enhances performance by inhibiting vibration and minimizing noise to provide a supremely quiet driving environment.

The RX-8 is new generation four door sports car totally different from the RX-7. To create a new genre of sports car, we named it "RX-8."

Mazda is known worldwide for its heritage of building innovative affordable cars like the MX-5 Miata and the first generation RX-7 sports car that provide a feeling of oneness between car and driver.

Mazda RX-8 design and engineering model

Mazda Motor Corporation took a giant step toward bringing to market a revolutionary high-performance, four-door sports car today with the unveiling of the Mazda RX-8 design and engineering model at the North American International Auto Show.

Mazda RX-8 design and engineering model

Based on Mazda's RX-EVOLV concept car introduced at the October 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, RX-8 is much closer to an actual production sports car than its predecessor.

"With its four-door freestyle door system, four-passenger comfort and RENESIS rotary engine, Mazda RX-8 is the next big thing in sports cars," said Mazda President Mark Fields. "I wouldn't be surprised if you see this car - or something very close -- on some of the world's most scenic, most fun-to-drive highways in the not-so-distant future."