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mazda

Skyactiv-X: 16 years on, Mazda paints another picture of itself

October 1, 2020 by Alastair Sloane

In February 2004 I wrote this in the NZ Herald: ‘In the 1980s and 90s, Mazda pretty much went from one conservative passenger car to another, with the exception of the brilliant MX-5 sports car. ‘Its mainstream models were well built but largely lifeless. An outsider could be forgiven for thinking that Mazda executives wore cardigans, carried cut lunches and sat around … [Read more...] about Skyactiv-X: 16 years on, Mazda paints another picture of itself

Mazda rotary runs at its most efficient on hydrogen …

July 18, 2019 by Alastair Sloane

American engineer Jason Fenske, of Engineering Explained, describes exactly what happens inside a Mazda rotary engine running on hydrogen. It turns out the design of the engine is pretty much ideal for burning hydrogen.   … [Read more...] about Mazda rotary runs at its most efficient on hydrogen …

Former Mazda chief drives down memory lane in a new CX-5

May 1, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The way former Mazda NZ managing director Andrew Clearwater remembers it, the people at Ford never understood the relentless pursuit of quality that was at the core of Mazda philosophy. It was the late 1980s, early 1990s. Ford HQ in Detroit owned 25 per cent of Mazda; had done since 1979. Clearwater was a Ford NZ marketing man. In the same building in South Auckland were … [Read more...] about Former Mazda chief drives down memory lane in a new CX-5

Mazda adds lustre to new CX-5 and its colour scheme

November 17, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

Mazda has unveiled its second-generation CX-5 at a special event in Los Angeles, revealing for the first time some significant shifts away from the design of the outgoing SUV, now five years old. The changes bring the new CX-5 into line with the recently released and bigger CX-9. They include a 10mm longer vehicle; 10mm lower centre of gravity; windscreen A-pillars pushed … [Read more...] about Mazda adds lustre to new CX-5 and its colour scheme

Mazda6 gets bundle of upgrades, all at the right price

October 6, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

Among the bundle of SkyActiv technology in the updated Mazda6 range is a component the company calls ‘Natural Sound Smoother’. No, it has nothing to do with the car’s audio system. Rather it quietens down the clatter from the four-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel variant. It sits inside each hollow piston pin and absorbs vibrations generated by the piston going up and down … [Read more...] about Mazda6 gets bundle of upgrades, all at the right price

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The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

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Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

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