According to The New York Times’ Wheels blog, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently in the early stages of investigating issues involving the 2005 Ford F-150 and 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 models equipped with manual transmissions.

In the case of the Blue Oval, NHTSA has received eight complaints of F-150 airbags that have either deployed during ignition or in the seconds directly after ignition. The issue has reportedly resulted in some bumps and bruises, but if NHTSA finds the issue to be a big problem, up to 530,000 vehicles stand to be effected by what could be a very expensive safety recall for the Blue Oval.

At the other end of the automotive spectrum, Mazda’s RX-8 sportscar is under the watchful eye of NHTSA for a problem that could effect far fewer vehicles but the problem is equally serious. The safety administration has reportedly received 40 complaints of 2004-2008 models that have experienced clutch pedal bracket failure, and in 15 cases, the rotary-powered Mazda was moving and the drivers couldn’t change gears normally as a result. Two of those drivers could have found themselves in a more dangerous situation, as the clutch pedal was reported to have become wedged under the brake pedal.

At this point, NHTSA is just beginning to investigate these issues, and if a recall results in either case, the government agency will assuredly issue notice.

[Source: The New York Times]

It’s easy to dismiss Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom” tagline as insufferable marketing frippery. Unlike other automakers who relentlessly cling to past motorsport achievements or well-worn brand imagery, with Mazda, there’s an overwhelming sense that its U.S. arm is made up of tried-and-true enthusiasts who put a premium on driver involvement and revel in their status as The Little Guy.

It’s very grassroots. And it shows.

Each of Mazda’s products – from the divine MX-5 to the oft-overlooked CX-7 – embodies everything we want in a vehicle, regardless of size, capacity or utility. They just deliver. Steering, handling, balance – it’s all there. And like every other automaker, we know they occasionally leave something on the table, but it never comes at the expense of the car/driver connection. Here’s even more evidence: the 2010 Mazdaspeed3.

[Source: AutoBlog]

The jury is largely in on Mazda’s new happy corporate face and well, most folks don’t like it. But what if Mazda designed a car featuring its Nagare design language minus the smiley face? That’s exactly what one student designer named Imran Ali did with the Yuuga Coupe. Presented at the 2009 Degree Show at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, UK, we have to say that the Yugga Coupe is quite the looker.

No known plans exist for production. For all anyone knows, this could be a Mazda6 coupe. Or, the Yuuga could indicate a design direction for future RX models – like a return to the gone-but-totally-not-forgotten RX-7. Or hey, it could be something totally different – who knows? The all-glass roof and crash-cymbal sized brakes are obviously auto show wishful thinking, yet the side profile is quite modern and Fisker-like. The rear looks even better – sorta like an Aston Martin V8. Then, of course, there’s the Mazda meets GT-R front end, which is especially handsome. Good work, Mr. Ali. We hope they build it, though the name has to go. Too close to Yugo for our liking.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Several reports have surfaced over the past day indicating that Mazda is prepping a thoroughly redesigned RX-8 for display at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. However, according to Mazda USA’s director of communications, Jeremy Barnes, the next rotary-powered coupe won’t debut for at least a few more years.

Since Mazda just released the facelifted RX-8 last year, a full-scale overhaul seems a bit hasty, particularly considering the four-door coupe’s niche status. If something does arrive in Frankfurt, it’s likely a region-specific model, packing some additional features (new Recaro seats and infotainment package, say) akin to the recently released R3.

As for the next RX-series from Mazda, the automaker is hard at work on the all-new 16X rotary engine, and in that case, a revised Wankel rotary is expected to power the updated model, which is not expected until around 2011 or 2012.

[Source:Autoblog]

It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since Mazda first showed the world how to build a classic British sports car right. The roadster known as the Miata and MX-5 at different times and places around the world is 20 years old and to celebrate, Mazda has invited 200 examples and their owners from across Europe to a party in France next month at the 24 Hours of LeMans.

Over the course of two decades and three generations, Mazda has sold over 850,000 MX-5s and it remains one of the most entertaining roadsters available. While it’s never been the most powerful sports car and some dismiss it as a secretary’s chosen chariot, the compact, lightweight roadster has won over even the most insecure alpha males with taut handling, a balanced drivetrain and one of the simplest convertible mechanisms known to man.

European MX-5 owners who want to participate in the party should contact their national MX-5 club or Mazda France. The 200 attendees will watch the race from the Mazda camp alongside the circuit and a best in show will be awarded, along with plenty of goodies.

PRESS RELEASE

Roadster Enthusiasts to celebrate 20 Years of Mazda MX-5 at Le Mans

* 200 Mazda MX-5s from all over Europe to gather at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans
* Special Mazda Camp reserved for attendees near the circuit
* An award for the most beautiful MX-5 attending the event

Leverkusen, 25 May 2009. This year, the world’s most legendary endurance race will be venue for the 20th anniversary celebration of the world’s most loved roadster: the Mazda MX-5. First shown at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989, the original Mazda MX-5 (called Miata at the time) triggered a rebirth of the two-seat roadster. Then as now, the car embodies Jinba Ittai (a Japanese expression meaning “rider and horse as one”) and delivers the very essence of sports car fun. This has been perpetuated by subsequent Mazda designers of three generations of MX-5 since then, earning it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records with more than 850,000 units sold to date.

A total of 200 MX-5s from all over Europe will meet at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to commemorate 20 years of Mazda’s cult roadster, and the special relationship it has with thousands of fans worldwide. The event has been organised in cooperation with MX-5 clubs around Europe and will take place on 13 and 14 June this year.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans – the perfect venue to thrill Mazda enthusiasts
Mazda MX-5 owners and fans wishing to be part of this exciting event are requested to contact their national MX-5 club or visit the Mazda France website HYPERLINK “http://www.mazda.fr” www.mazda.fr. A complete package is on offer for attendees, including a place for their car, an anniversary polo shirt, a rally plate, dinner and breakfast and some other surprises; all from 100 Euros. It also includes a unique chance to experience the thrill of watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans race live, since the participants will be invited to camp at an exclusive Mazda Camp reserved for them bordering the circuit. From here Mazda MX-5 fans will have the opportunity to show their support to the 3 teams motorized by Mazda engines in the LMP2 category. A “Best of Show” competition will also be held during the event with a special award going to the most beautiful MX-5.

Endurance – a field of expertise for Mazda
Mazda wrote motor sport history by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 23 June 1991 with the Mazda 787B piloted by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot. This was the first victory ever by a Japanese manufacturer and also the first for a rotary engine at Le Mans – a double success still unrivalled today. The high-performance Mazda 787B displayed the superior reliability of Mazda rotary-engine technology that day, and was subsequently entered in the Hall of Fame of motor racing.

[Source:Autoblog]

Early last month Mazda previewed the Mazdaspeed3 that will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. We were only afforded three images and some salient details, but now just hours before the Swiss show officially begins we have a number of new pics and more information about one of our favorite sport compacts.

Browse the updated high-res gallery below and you’ll see that the super smiley face of the new redesigned Mazda3 has been butched up for Mazdaspeed3 duty (the car is called the Mazda3 MPS outside the U.S.). The new car sports a hood scoop that even a Subaru WRX would be proud to wear, as well as its own unique grille trim, round foglamps, a roof-mounted spoiler, rear diffuser and its own set of wheels.

Sources are saying that the new design won’t be joined by a new engine, as the same MZR 2.3L direct-inject, turbocharged four-cylinder will be used at launch though with power slightly increased to around 268 horsepower. The only other bit of tech info we have is a rumor that involves the Ford Focus RS. The Focus RS uses a special RevoKnuckle suspension system that virtually eliminates the issue of torque steer for the front-wheel-drive hot hatch, and rumor has it the Mazdaspeed3 may also take advantage of this system. Stay tuned for live coverage of the Geneva Motor Show where we’ll meet the new Mazdaspeed3 in person.

[Source:Autoblog]