Future Mazda's to lose weight, new fuel-efficient engines in the works

Mazda wants to replace its entire powertrain lineup in the near feature. By 2015, the partly Ford-owned automaker will have E85 flex-fuel, direct injection, spark ignition and start/stop technology in order to improve fuel-economy. Mazda will also cut weight off its vehicles by at least 220 pounds to reduce fuel-consumption.

Now that the compact-car segment is getting hot, Mazda is reconsidering its decision not to bring the Mazda2 to the U.S. The car was recently spotted in Death Valley but it still has to pass some U.S. tests. According to Automotive News, the Mazda2 may arrive by 2010 as a 2011 model year.

The Mazda3 will be redesigned and re-engineered and will make its debut in 2009 as a 2010 model. As for the MX-5 Miata - chances of a MazdaSpeed edition look slim due to the current condition of the industry. The redesign as been pushed out to 2012. The RX8 redesign will arrive in...
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Foreigner - 8/13/2008 11:19:56 AM

+1 Boost

Umm, don't all gasoline engines have spark ignition? Either somebody cocked up the punctuation and I'm reading it wrong, or the PR people have everyone convinced that the spark plug is some new wave in engine technology.

SHOWTIME - 8/13/2008 3:23:39 PM

+1 Boost

lol

holmstar - 8/13/2008 5:49:21 PM

+1 Boost

@foreigner: As opposed to HCCI (homogenous charge compression ignition) which is currently the subject of much research.

Star - 8/13/2008 11:29:59 AM

+3 Boost

Bring Mazda 2.

Htay7500 - 8/13/2008 1:13:11 PM

+1 Boost

Um not really. Unlike ford, Mazda is actually focusing on giving what their consumer fanbase is, where ford ends up in a financial downturn sticking to very disproportionate cars that no one seems to care about.

Htay7500 - 8/13/2008 3:12:00 PM

0 Boost

Ok but its bringing the 2. The article says mazda is improving on fuel economy. I guess we should also forget Fords partnership with mazda as some of fords lineup is relied on mazda. and I guess it would be wise for ford to sell mazda? its body, frame, etc. and what about the mustang and edge? other than the fact that one is a dated sports car with nothing to offer and the other a glorified cx7? and how do you reckon the US focus?

CRS2112 - 8/13/2008 12:47:35 PM

+4 Boost

I owned a 2003 MP5 and MPV. They both were very reliable. The main reason why I got rid of them was due to the poor gas mileage. The MP5 averaged around 23 mpg - which for such a small (and underwhelming) engine - I would have expected around 30 or more.

If they could average 31/35 - they would be a great all around car.

M35MT - 8/13/2008 1:03:30 PM

+1 Boost

"The Tribute SUV will be replaced by the CX-5"

Finally! I hope the B2000 dies with it...

NItePhire - 8/13/2008 4:35:32 PM

+1 Boost

Mazda must have seen my last post about them..LOL