Mazda has a New Mid-Size Pickup

Mazda had a long-time partner when it to trucks and that was Ford. That partnership was dissolved in 2013.  But now, Mazda has a new partner to help them release a new midsize pickup, and that is Isuzu.

 

Mazda BT-50

Now I sure your thinking how Isuzu hasn’t been in the U.S. since 2009 when they left the market. But their still around and their back in the midsize pickup game. The Mazda/Isuzu collaboration will most likely take the place of the Mazda BT-50, the BT-50 was co-developed with Ford of Australia and is the mechanical twin of the Ford Ranger. The current generation of this truck, which is built in Thailand and in South Africa, was introduced in late 2010 and updated last year.

For its part, Mazda hasn’t sold a pickup in the United States since the days of the B2000, which was a rebadged Ford Ranger (the American one). Prior to that, Mazda had supplied Ford with its first compact pickup, which Dearborn badged as the Courier, and also sold a similar small pickup under its own brand.

Does this new collaboration mean that we’ll once again see Mazda (or Isuzu) pickups on American soil? Sadly, no. In a statement announcing the partnership, Mazda said that the vehicle, like the current BT-50, will be sold “worldwide, except [in] North America.”

So if you live or travel overseas, you can soon drive the new Mazda midsize pickup truck. But for the rest of us, we have to admire from afar. Check out the rest of our fine Mazda inventory or contact us today to drive yours now!

Mazda is making you a better driver

Mazda has a new technology, and it’s going to make you better driver (sort of).

The new technology is called G-Vectoring Control (GVC), it emulates race-car driver weight-transfer techniques to make road-going cars driven be mere mortals handle better and make passengers feel more comfortable.

 

Every time the driver turns the steering wheel, GVC shifts a tiny amount of weight to the outside front tire, which improves grip and steering response. The driver and passengers will subconsciously believe the car handles better (it actually does) and the driver is a better driver (possibly). This allows the car to corner like high-end German sport sedan and maintain arrow-straight stability.

When a car slows or brakes, the weight shifts forward. That’s physics. Race drivers are taught to brake just a little heading into a turn to initiate the weight transfer. Mazda GVC automates the process. As soon as the driver turns the wheel, Mazda’s SkyActiv engine management system slows the ignition timing ever so slightly, engine torque (power) falls slightly, the car slows ever so slightly, and a small amount of weight transfers to the outside front wheel.

Mazda says G-Vectoring Control will first be available on the 2017 midsize Mazda 6 sedan and the compact Mazda 3. Mazda will outfit the entire line within a few years.

Interested in owning a Mazda? Check out our inventory or contact us today to get your now!

The Rejuvenated 2016 Mazda CX-9

It's hard to decide where to start when looking at all of the advancements Mazda has made in the 2016 Mazda CX-9.  Just to get started, the 2016 version is lighter, more agile, quieter, and more luxurious.

 

Getting into specifics, Mazda has gone away from its outdated V-6 and equipped the new version of it's largest vehicle with a turbo charged 2.5 liter 4-cylinder.  While the horsepower may seem a little light at 227 hp, the zip comes from the 310 ft-lbs of torque.  Keeping with Mazda's slogan of "Driving Matters", drivers will find nothing lacking in the power department.

 



Consumer Reports says "piloting the CX-9 is a joy, making it a viable alternative to buyers wanting to buy a BMW X-5 or Audi Q7, but don't have $65.000".  Mazda's commitment to creating vehicles that are enjoyable to drive has never been more evident than in the new CX-9, where competitor from Honda and Toyota offer nowhere near the handling of the Mazda. 

 

 

 

Inside the Mazda CX-9 is an interior that you would expect more in a much more expensive German-made SUV.  The 3-row CX-9 has a decidedly upscale interior, particularly the Signature Trim, with Nappa leather, polished aluminum, and the same genuine Rosewood used in some of the world's finest musical instruments.

 

The all-new Mazda CX-9 is sure to be in high demand, so contact our sales department today or visit www.lujackmazda.com to check available inventory or order yours today.  

More Teasing About an RX-9 Rotary

It's happening.  It's not happening.  It might happen.  But probably not.  But wait- it still might!  This is the emotional roller-coaster Mazda lovers in general, and Wankel-powered rotary engine devotees in particular have been riding ever since Mazda stopped production on the RX-8 back in 2011.

We got a serious tease of what might be at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, when the concept RX-Vision (pictured above) was displayed.  More than one reporter said that the RX-Vision stole the show and had more buzz around it that any other vehicle..

It's no secret at this point that Mazda would like to bring back the rotary engine at some point.  They freely acknowledge that 50 engineers have worked for the past eight years working on a new 16x two-rotor engine, and they have already filed a patent for it.  Estimates have been for between 400-450 horsepower.  

A rear-wheel drive, rotary-engine RX-9 would make for an amazing signature car for Mazda. and early guesses are for a $50,000+ price tag.  But, oh, it would be worth the wait.  And the price.  Please, make it happen, Mazda!

And now...The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Retractable Hardtop

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata has won and incredible amount of awards.  If you follow this blog or our Facebook page, you'll notice that we have chronicled quite a few.  From design, safety, driveability, and value, the MX-5 Miata has placed at the top of virtually every category, and has even won the coveted World Car of the Year Award.  

Now, in an exciting announcement, Mazda has announced that they are going to build on the enormous success by adding a retractable hardtop for the 2017 model year. 

The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF will make it's debut for the 2017 model year, and should be available in dealerships late in late 2016. Nobuhiro Yamamot, Mazda MX-5 Program Manger says, "I hope the launch of the MX-5 RF will awaken hidden emotions and dormant sensibilities among our customers. And with these two MX-5 models, I hope we can help introduce the joy of driving a convertible sports car to a wider audience and help even more people live rich, fun-filled lives. In order to achieve this, now and into the future, we will continue our efforts to “innovate in order to preserve.”

Mazda6 amd CX-5 Both Earn Superior Safety Rating

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 have both received a "Superior" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in its latest assessment of crash prevention systems.

Both vehicles can be equipped with Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE® technologies. which is a suite of advanced safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring, which helps detect vehicles approaching from the blind spot areas, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which alerts the driver when it detects vehicles approaching from either side while backing up.

Other available features on the CX-5 are Smart Brake Support, an automatic braking system when the vehicle senses an emergency and Mazda Radar Cruise Control which automatically controls the vehicle speed to maintain the safe following distance, based on the driver's target speed. 

The 2016 Mazda6 also features a host of advanced safety technologies, including the Smart Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring.  The MSRP on the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 are $21,795* and $21,495*, respectively.  You can see our inventory of these vehicles at www.lujackmazda.com.

*MSRP does not include destination and handling charges.  Dealers set actual prices. 

Mazda MX-5 Miata Wins World Car of the Year

 

The accolades just don't stop for the Mazda MX-5 Miata.  The latest award is the World Car of the Year, just announced this week at the New York Auto Show.  The Mazda MX-5 Miata beat out cars such at the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, as well as non-U.S. sold vehicles- the Skoda Superb, Renault Kadjar, and Subaru Levorg.  

The Mazda MX-5 Miata also walked away with the World Car of the Year Design award.  Other nominees included the Mazda CX-3 crossover and the Jaguar XE

The MX-5 Miata was re-designed for the 2016 model year, and has been widely acclaimed for it's design, affordability, handling, and affordability.  The iconic roadster has long been held in high esteem, but Mazda has made great use of their SKY-ACTIVE® TECHNOLOGY to make the Miata lighter, more nimble, more responsive, and generally making it an incredibly enjoyable car to drive. 

Styling updates for the 2016 model include a more aggressive nose, slightly flared fenders on the front and rear, and an overall more muscular look.  

 Amazingly, Mazda has been able to pack all of this style and performance into the MX-5 Miata and still keep the base MSRP under $26,000*.  Find out more about this award-winning roadster at Lujack Mazda in Davenport, IA

*MSRP does not include destination and handling charges.  Dealers set actual prices.