Tag Archives: Grand Touring

Automobiles

Next-Generation Mazda 2 Allegedly Previewed in Japanese Magazine, Inherits Kodo Design Language

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2014 Mazda 2

If this image from a Japanese publication is the real deal, it looks as though the next-generation Mazda 2 (called Demio in other markets) will inherit the same Kodo design language worn by the Mazda 6, CX-5, and all-new Mazda 3. The grille and headlight treatment are especially reminiscent of the 3, 6, and CX-5′s mugs, although the body sides seem fairly free of the creases and bulges found on those other Mazdas. This image—which includes a graphic element with the number “2014″—lead us to believe the next 2 will debut fairly soon, probably early next year. 

We already know that the next 2 will share its underpinnings with the next-generation Toyota Yaris, and the pair will be built in Mazda’s new production facility in Mexico. We expect the same suite of Skyactiv fuel-efficiency-boosting technologies that are baked into the Mazda 3, Mazda 6, and CX-5 will trickle down to the 2. But fuel-economy is boring—all we care about is whether the new 2 drives as well as it does now. Given how enjoyable our time behind the wheel of the 2014 Mazda 3 was, we don’t think we’ll be disappointed.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

2014 Mazda CX-5 Review & Test Drive

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By Harvey Schwartz

2015 Subaru WRX STI Spy Shots

‘A FASTER ZOOM ZOOM CX-5’

For the 2014 model year Mazda holds up to its famous ‘Zoom Zoom’ philosophy by increasing the size, horsepower and torque of its best-selling CX-5 sport utility vehicle.  The new inline four-cylinder engine now generates a healthier 184hp at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb.ft. of torque at just 3,250 rpm.  This all-aluminum, DOHC engine features advanced direct injection, S-VT variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust.  It also features a high 13:1 compression ratio and a uniquely crafted 4-2-1 exhaust system with dual exhaust outlets.  This new SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine still maintains the fuel economy threshold of 25 mpg/city and 32 mpg/highway.  The engine is paired with a SKYACTIV Drive six-speed automatic sport-tuned (short shift strokes) transmission with sequential shifting to get you moving quickly.  Standard dynamic stability control and traction control help to minimize torque steer when launching quickly, or when accelerating to pass slower moving traffic on the highway.  This new powertrain is a seamless combination of power coming through as you need it.

The new 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring rides and handles like an upscale sport sedan with its fully independent sport-tuned suspension and rigid body structure using lightweight, high-tensile steel.  Up front is a MacPherson strut setup with coil springs, twin-tube shocks and a stabilizer bar.  The rear features a multi-link setup with coil springs, twin-tube shocks and a stabilizer bar.  The industry is changing over to electric power steering and the Mazda’s system benefits from a strut tower brace over the engine that gives you quick, precise response to your steering inputs as you easily maneuver around slow city traffic and when driving through curving roads.  The CX-5 also comes standard with Hill Launch Assist.

Slowing down behind the wheel of the new 2014 CX-5 is easy with four-wheel, power assisted steel disc brakes.  Up front are 11.7 inch vented discs and 11.9 inch solid discs in the rear.  Each disc is clamped with single-piston calipers and your control during braking is enhanced with standard ABS, EBD and BA.

The new Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring rides on large, 19X7 inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped with Toyo 225/55R19 inch A23 all-season performance tires for a smooth ride and excellent grip.

The exterior design mirrors its sporting mechanicals under the sheet metal with Mazda’s current design language known as KODO, or ‘Soul of Motion’.  KODO gets its inspiration from nature-in its most calm and most furious times.  My Soul Red Metallic painted CX-5 comes with a black contrasting full-length lower bodykit to lower its center of gravity enhancing its handling capabilities and gives the truck a more sporty appearance.  Its sculptured body is taut and compact yet muscular.  Shapely flared front

From: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AutomotiveAddicts/~3/DEUAQrCB-n0/2014-mazda-cx-5-review-test-drive

Automobiles

Chris Harris Drives The SLS AMG Black Series: Video

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By Kurt Ernst

Chris Harris drives the SLS AMG Black Series, sideways

Chris Harris drives the SLS AMG Black Series, sideways

If you asked us to categorize the new SLS AMG Black Series, we’d have a hard time fitting the car into a single segment. Its on-track behavior clearly makes it a sports car, yet its long wheelbase and refined mannerisms (even in Black Series trim) don’t exclude it from the Grand Touring category. With the electro-nannies turned off, however, it shreds tires and wags its tail with the best of the muscle car class.

To build the SLS AMG Black Series, Mercedes-Benz (and AMG) begin with an already-fast SLS AMG GT. The car gets a bump in output to 631 horsepower (impressive from a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V-8), a wider track, a stiffer suspension, stickier tires and aerodynamics specifically designed to reduce lift at speed. Next comes the crash diet, which shaves 70 kilograms (154 pounds) off the standard SLS AMG, via the use of things like a titanium exhaust, a carbon fiber driveshaft, a lithium-ion battery and a carbon fiber hood.

Chris Harris is clearly smitten with the 230,000 pound (about $350,000) hoon-mobile, calling it “flipping excellent” on the track. And therein lies the problem: since only 350 will be built, with each selling for an astronomical price, few will ever turn a wheel in anger on the world’s premier tracks. In fact, our guess is that the vast majority will be purchased for investment purposes, secreted away in a climate-controlled garage to avoid depreciation.

Based on Harris’ antics behind the wheel, there’s something criminal about that. What’s the point in engineering and building a car that’s so rewarding to drive, when the vast majority of owners will never drive the car as its engineers intended?

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts

Automobiles

Quick Spin: 2013 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD

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By Seyth Miersma

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After spending some time roaming the Hill Country of central Texas with Mazda’s new Mazda6 and CX-5 with the 2.5-liter Skyactiv engine, I got a round with the redesigned CX-9 back in Michigan. The three-row Mazda crossover comes to court in the 2013 model year with the same 3.7-liter V6 engine that we’ve sampled before (still making 273 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque), though the nose that wraps it has been updated with the same “Kodo” design language that marks out the CX-5 and friends.

I had quite recently spent time in our long-term Nissan Pathfinder, so I felt better equipped than usual to suss out the potential high and low points of Mazda’s family-facing CUV.

Driving Notes

  • A combination of a responsive throttle pedal and a surprisingly lively exhaust note made the CX-9 feel immediately sportier than the CVT‘d Pathfinder I had just stepped out of. The Mazda’s six-speed automatic transmission was surprisingly willing to drop gears and pile on the revs when I put my foot to the floor for a pass on the highway, and I actually never really felt prodded to use the manual mode as a result. Don’t get me wrong, the CX-9 isn’t “fast” in an objective sense, but it definitely feels adequately powerful for a largish 4,500-pound crossover. (Those seeking real speed with three rows would still prefer the Ford Explorer Sport or Dodge Durango in V8 trim, I’d wager.)
  • True to form for Mazda, the CX-9 feels a shade sprightlier in terms of handling than does the bulk of its competitive set. Sitting in the drivers seat for the first time, I was actually a little shocked at how small in diameter the steering wheel is. Better yet, the front end of the large vehicle moves promptly when guided by this sporty wheel, turning in with a quickness that belies the long wheelbase, and offering a shade more road feedback than is typical of this class. I’m not sure how many buyers really care about a kind of “athletic” steering feel when selecting their next kid-wagon, but the Mazda would seem to be the top-of-class here.
  • Overall fit and finish of our CX-9 Grand Touring-spec interior felt nice – I particularly liked the kind of micro-suede door inserts – if a little bit simple. There’s still more hard-plastic surfacing in the CX-9 than I’d gotten used to in our long-term Nissan, and far fewer enticing pieces of technology. Mazda is offering a new-for-2013, 5.8-inch display with which to negotiate the navigation and media controls, but the interface simply serves to make the CX-9 feel slightly less out of date than it would with the older setup. And the Mazda didn’t have the near-luxury feeling that the plusher, gizmo-laden Pathfinder does.
  • There was more interruption from wind and tire noise in the CX-9 than in other similarly sized crossovers and SUVs I’ve been in lately, too. Just a shade louder, …read more
    Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog