Find Used Cars for Sale: 2015 mazda

Hot

Showing posts with label 2015 mazda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 mazda. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2015

Bermaz officially launches the all-new 2015 Mazda MX-5 in Malaysia

9:21 AM 0
Bermaz, the distributor for Mazda in Malaysia has officially launched the Mazda MX-5 Skyactiv with the 2.0liter 4 cylinder engine - one engine here in Malaysia in 6 speed automatic transmission form with the 6 speed manual coming in later. 



This iconic roadster's latest iteration is a marvel in Japanese ingenuity. Mazda officially unveiled this fourth generation MX-5 or ND series late 2014 and is actually a smaller, more purpose built car than the one it replaced. It harks back to the purity of the first generation model. In fact, it is so much closer in size with the one first launched in 1989 rather than the one it replaces. The original MX-5 Miata weighed approximately 960kg. This new one weighs 1080kg. At a time where cars get larger, Mazda keeps making their cars the opposite.

The fourth generation Mazda MX-5 is also 105 mm shorter and 100 kg lighter than the third generation model. The car has the Mazda SKYACTIV technology. There will only be one 2.0liter direct-injection petrol engines without any use of forced induction (very typically SKYACTIV). The  2.0liter makes 158hp and 200Nm torque. As stated above, it now comes with the 6 speed automatic with the 6 speed manual coming in later. 

The cockpit, steering wheel, and infotainment system are very similar to the 2014 Mazda3 as well as the Mazda 2. In terms of size, the MX-5 is obviously small. Smaller than the third generation car it replaces and it somehow feels very cozy and compact when you're in it. Plastics are of typical Mazda high quality but there is a little too much familiarity in terms of dashboard design. I felt like I was in a Mazda 2. Not a bad thing, as the dashboard is well built with good use of nice feeling materials. The fabric roof is manually operated and can be opened/closed within a few seconds. Very easy to operate.

The MX-5 looks good too. Whatever design philosophy Mazda used to design it actually works well. The car is purposefully small and sporty looking. I have also loved the MX-5 and I do have a liking towards the styling of this new one. Mazda has come up with another very well designed car with the MX-5. I have a feeling that the car will drive better than the one it replaced. And that folks, was actually a car I already enjoyed driving.

Prices for the 2015 Mazda MX-5 start at RM226,376.32 on the road with insurance for the automatic. 





PRESS RELEASE 

Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV.


The Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV that is being launched today is the culmination of all the benefits of Mazda’s revolutionary SKYACTIV Technology resulting in an already legendary roadster that is destined to be an icon. Mazda has succeeded in making the new MX-5 lighter yet more rigid, more powerful yet more fuel efficient, faster yet safer, and more desirable yet more attainable. The MX-5 carries the Mazda badge proudly. It lives on as the definitive roadster, a truly tough act to follow.

The Mazda MX-5 was introduced to the world in 1989 as a true lightweight sports car. It was a two-seater roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, proven mechanicals and sound technology. With its fuss-free but distinctive styling, the compact roadster weighed merely 940kg.

Badged as the Mazda MX-5 Miata in North America and as the Eunos Roadster in Japan, the MX-5 went on to be the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car in history, as validated by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000, with total production of 531,890 units. Nearly a million Mazda MX-5s have been sold around the world by July 2014, a remarkable number for a car of this category.

The Mazda MX-5 has won numerous awards including Wheels Magazine's Car of the Year for 1989 and 2005, Sports Car International's "best sports car of the 1990s" and "ten best sports cars of all time", 2005–2006 Car of the Year Japan; and 2005 Australian Car of the Year. The Miata has been on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list 14 times! The December 2009 issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine named the Miata as the most important sports car built is the last 25 years. And in the words of Jeremy Clarkson: “The fact is that if you want a sports car, the MX-5 is perfect. Nothing on the road will give you better value. Nothing will give you so much fun. The only reason I’m giving it five stars is because I can’t give it fourteen.”

The success of the MX5 can be attributed to Mazda’s philosophy of Jinba ittai (rider “jin” horse “ba” as one body “ittai”). The Mazda SKYACTIV technology translates this into a reality that can be easily felt with a drive in the new roadster. And with Mazda’s design language Kodo, the MX-5 has evolved from its soft-edged and unassuming persona to a sexy and edgy sports car, with a strong Mazda family theme.

The new Mazda MX-5 was unveiled to the world early this year, to an enthusiastic response. The international media members who had the opportunity to drive it soon after gave it an overwhelming ‘thumbs-up’. It has been raking up record sales numbers worldwide, contributing to a strong revival of the roadster love-affair. The spectacular automotive achievement that is the Mazda MX-5 is now available in Malaysia. 

The new Mazda MX-5 is being offered as a convertible with a soft top, in the pure form of a roadster. A lightweight, automated fully retractable hard top is in the pipeline. Prices will be announced soon.




Owners of past models showed up in force
Read More
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Short test drive: 2015 Mazda 2 1.5 Hatchback - Definitely not your conventional supermini

8:16 PM 0

Mazda launched the fourth generation Mazda 2 here in Malaysia recently. Two variants, one a hatchback, the other a sedan. Both get the same specs inside and out. The only difference is a boot and the other a hatch. Both cost RM88,000 or thereabouts and are seriously well equipped for the price. What this new Mazda 2 brings to the table are a lot of good things for supermini buyers out there.

If you compare with the older Mazda 2, the new one isn't based on the Ford Fiesta. It isn't all cute and cuddly anymore and is not all spare and very no-frills looking like the previous generation. What you get is basically a miniaturized Mazda 3 (or if you want to go all the way, the Mazda 6) in terms of external looks.


The exterior gets Mazda's Kodo design philosophy which means, as I mentioned, looks like the good looking Mazda 3 or 6 and eschews traditional small hatchback principles in some ways. Most superminis have a certain single box type styling but you see a clear two box style in the Mazda 2's design. I have to say that it looks unique with the A pillars set way back. Quite like how a larger sized car is styled. It works. Even if the tyres look slightly small from some angles.

The interior is where things get better. Interior space has certainly grown (as has overall size but not weight – thanks to the use of lighter but stronger high tensile steel). The rear seats in both the sedan and hatchback have a decent enough space if you compare with the previous version. The doors may open wide but getting in takes a little wriggling as the opening is small. It will not beat the Perodua Myvi in terms of rear legroom and space but you are quite comfortable with two abreast. I like how Mazda puts styling slightly ahead of ultimate space and legroom at the rear. I suppose in some ways, Mazda is telling us that this car is a small, fun, quality runabout. If you want more space, buy something else. Buy the Myvi if you want space over anything else as honestly, its the cheapest and most spacious bar the Honda Jazz. But if you want some style in your life, the Mazda 2 has it in spades.


Why so? Well, the interior quality is quite amazing for a supermini (B segment car). As stated, the old one has this no frills approach to getting things done. This new one is stylish. There is a very driver-centric dashboard that is well screwed and uses quality materials - still hard plastics but this is a supermini that isn't sold at RM150,000. Whaddya expect? There is a single large round rev-counter flanked by two curved on top rectangles. These are for temperature, fuel gauge and other readouts but the speedometer sits on top of the dashboard; a heads up display. A pretty nifty gimmick that a lot will like.

There are three round air vents, two are to the left and right of the driver and one at the end of the passenger side. The center vent for the passenger is part of the decorative chrome strip that divides the dashboard. There is also a strip or swathe or real leather with red stitching on the dashboard. Same real leather and red stitching goes to the seats too. This is so premium a touch unlike the other giant of a Japanese car company that loves molding plastic with fake stitching. In short, the cabin made me feel like I was in a small luxury supermini, much like sitting in an Audi A1 in some ways. Of course, you can break the illusion by tapping on the hard plastic parts in the car.

As for the internals, Mazda's Skyactiv touches are of course there. The 1.5liter 4 cylinder engine takes normally aspirated tuning to another level compared to what is offered in the supermini segment here in Malaysia. You get a direct injection engine where others offer variable valve timing. 114Hp and 148Nm torque. Both figures are easily a good 5hp and 5nm better than most cars in its class. The Mazda 2 also gets a 6 speed torque convertor based transmission unit which I consider as being so much more robust than any dual clutch or CVT unit out there in its class today.

I had a short drive in the hatchback the other day and it is promising. The driving position is good with good seats too. The performance of the 1.5liter is decent but you would need to rev it above 2,500rpm before things get interesting. 3,000 onwards for real progress. There is a cammy feel at this point where suddenly the engine comes alive and progress gets going. The gearbox shifts smoothly and seemlessly. Not as rapid as a dual clutch unit but it actually suits the overall feel of the car.
The overall feel of this Mazda 2 isn't sporty. It feels quite grown up. Much like the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 hatchback I drove earlier. In fact, you could say that this was the benchmark that Mazda used to make the 2. The feel and weighting of the steering (although a bit too light at parking speeds), controls and how the car turns in feels pretty similar. This makes this car an overall smooth performer. It feels planted and secure even on its very narrow 185/60/16 tyres (which I believe also contributes to a very quiet and refined interior for a supermini). Very continental if one might add. If you want more handling thrills, may I suggest a Ford Fiesta or a Suzy Swift? But I could see myself driving this down to Penang or Singapore and not feeling that fatigued. It is quite sorted in my books.

I suppose this is because of Mazda's attention to detail. You may think that SkyActiv is just some marketing term used by them but they really do iron out most of the details and fine tune the whole car more than what some other Japanese and Koreans do. It just looks stylish even with its narrow wheels (the sedan less so as it feels compromised in terms of styling – not enough length at for the boot to look proportioned . It has an interior which is very Japanese but looks and feels (decently for its class) well except for some rear legroom (which still is better than previously). It's drive train could be the smoothest in its class due to that conventional 6 speed automatic and a smooth direct injection engine that has over 110horses and ample torque for a normally aspirated 1.5liter.

This car could be my favourite supermini under RM90,000 because of all of the above. Highly recommended. But buy the hatchback if possible. The sedan, looks too compromised. As you can see in the pic below.
Read More
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

All-New Mazda MX-5 "Miata" previewed

7:39 PM 0
Mazda has just previewed the all-new Mazda MX-5. The 'Miata' or MX-5 Roadster as it is known to us keeps the tradition going. Supposedly a 2016 model year car, you get the same open top motoring available to you except that it now has edgier styling than previous generations. This fourth generation MX-5 is supposedly also 100kg lighter on some models and it will still be normally aspirated. The largest engine would be the 2.0liter GDI SkyActiv and it should still come with a manual (six speed) transmission as well as an automatic for lazier people (like the previous one).


Note the power and drive train securely located behind the front suspension mounts. This MX-5 is a front mid-enginedcar. Balance should be good as ever just from the looks of it. The only thing is whether it keeps all of the soul.

Styling as stated above is edgier. It does have some Honda S2000 in its styling eh? It is still low slung (the front looks even more than before) and the car sits on its rear hunches more than previously emphasising its rear wheel drive stance. Whilst still a smallish car, it has that usual roadster packaging - a longish bonnet, rear set cabin with seats close to the rear wheels and a short boot. The car still sports a soft top which is why weight is still kept low aside from the 100kg weight loss design target.

More on the MX-5 soon.





photos: jalopnik/mazda
Read More
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Mazda previews the upcoming 2015 MX-5 drivetrain and it is quite interesting.

7:47 PM 0

Mazda has shown the drivetrain of the upcoming 2015MY Mazda MX-5 and it looks interesting. Not because they're telling us that it'll have all of the latest Mazda SKYACTIV technology and what not but the picture itself. 


Yes, it will weigh up to a 100kg less but take a good look at the picture above and you can see the drivetrain, subframe and suspension pieces on it. But note the extra piece of metal bracing the front and rear subframe right beside the propeller shaft. This is an extra bit of rigidity built into it even before the monocoque body encapsulates all of this. This tells us that Mazda is dead serious into making this MX-5 a great handling roadster.

It is going to make the upcoming MX-5 into another good drive. SKYACTIV blends a lightweight body, parts and a very efficient 2.0liter 4 cylinder (with rumours of a 1.5liter entry level model) engine in one body. Expect it to be faster than the previous MX-5 due to this. Expect it to handle just as well due to this too.
Read More
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,