Following its best sales year since 2007, Mazda headed into the final stretch of the North American auto show season with an impressive vehicle lineup at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, including the best-selling Mazda3, award-winning CX-5, refreshed CX-9 and all-new Mazda6.
“The real-world results of SKYACTIV paired with the expressive design language of KODO have proven to be an unstoppable union when it comes to offering consumers vehicles that not only meet but exceed their expectations,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “From top-notch safety and fuel economy to superior style and driving dynamics, the Mazda brand is only getting warmed up.”
SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is Mazda-developed engineering that addresses the apparent dichotomy of vehicles that achieve class-leading fuel economy while still being affordable, fun to drive and an exceptional value. First introduced to the United States with the Mazda3, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY also is currently available on the CX-5 and Mazda6. In order to achieve its aggressive corporate goal of a 30-percent increase in global fuel efficiency by 2015 (when compared to 2008 figures), SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY (engine, transmission, body and chassis components) will make its way into the rest of the Mazda lineup along with other all-new advanced technologies such as i-ELOOP, the world’s first capacitor-based brake energy regeneration system to power all the vehicle’s electrical systems.
2014 Mazda6
Starting at $20,880 MSRP, the all-new mid-size sedan is the second vehicle in the Mazda lineup to fully incorporate SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and recently received the Top Safety Pick distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Offering both powerful performance and improved fuel economy, the 2014 Mazda6 features best-in-class highway fuel economy of 38 miles per gallon (MPG).
On sale now, the 2014 Mazda6 is fitted with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine, which can be paired with a choice of transmissions: the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic. Touting 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm, the sleek sedan offers impressive fuel efficiency at 25 city/37 highway/29 combined MPG when equipped with the standard manual transmission, as rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When equipped with the optional automatic transmission, fuel economy increases to an EPA rated 26 city/38 highway/30 combined.
Taking much of its styling cues from the TAKERI Concept, which debuted in New York last year, the strong cab-rearward proportions and masculine lines of the 2014 Mazda6 have placed the vehicle as a top-three contender for the 2013 World Car Design of the Year award. The winner will be announced during a press conference tomorrow at the auto show.
A SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine as well as the i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system will be offered on 2014 Mazda6 vehicles during the second half of the year. This third-generation Mazda6 also features all-new Mazda safety technologies such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system, a safety component designed to assist a driver in minimizing the chance of front collisions when traveling at speeds less than 19 miles per hour. Final specifications and packaging of the diesel engine and other trim combinations will be announced closer to their on-sale dates.
2014 CX-5
Upon entering the marketplace last year, CX-5 was an all-new, true-to-size entry into the compact SUV segment. Outfitted with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine for all three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – the engine and its matching SKYACTIV transmissions were enough to offer consumers best-in-class combined fuel economy on all models. With 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque delivered at 4,000 rpm, enough get-up-and-go oomph delivered dynamics that any enthusiast could appreciate. The standard push-button start was all it took to get the happy-feet revving with this IIHS Top Safety Pick.
For the 2014 model year, the race-car high 13:1 compression ratio and uniquely crafted 4-2-1 exhaust system remain but can now be paired with an all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine for Touring and Grand Touring models. Boasting nearly 19 percent more horsepower and 23 percent more torque, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5L still maintains the fuel economy threshold set by the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L in its segment-leading MPG.
Like Mazda6, 2014 CX-5 also sees the availability of the SCBS system. The compact SUV starts at $21,195 MSRP.
2013 CX-9
Unmistakably Mazda, the 2013 CX-9 has evolved into a dramatic yet refined design. The big brother of the lineup, CX-9 is a mid-size SUV that towers over its Mazda brethren in size and maturity yet behind the wheel feels just as sprightly as the rest of the Zoom-Zoom lot. Refreshed for the 2013 model year, the three-row, seven-passenger CX-9 receives KODO “Soul of Motion” design enhancements, the new familial look that began with the SHINARI Concept, as well as added technology features from the inside out.
A 5.8-inch multi-information display (MID) screen is new for 2013 and standard on all trim levels. All-new infotainment features include HD Radio™ Technology and Pandora®. HD Radio is a subscription-free digital AM and FM broadcast radio service which provides crystal-clear sound, on-screen information and additional programming choices via HD2 and HD3 channels. Pandora offers personalized stations based on the input of a single “seed” (i.e. favorite band, song or genre) and continually customizes its playlist using musicological “DNA” and listener feedback.
When music from a personal device is preferred, MP3 players and smartphones can be connected via the updated Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio system. This allows all information and folders to display and be controlled via the MID. A new USB connection port offers an alternative for users, such as infrequent passengers, who do not want to connect their devices via Bluetooth. All the aforementioned systems, including an auxiliary jack, are standard as is audio message receipt and delivery. When a smartphone is connected, Short Message Service (SMS) messages can be received and shown on the MID. The system can then articulate the messages as well as allow users to send replies using fixed phrases.
The 2013 CX-9 starts at $29,785 MSRP.
2013 Mazda3
Last year’s best-selling vehicle, the Mazda3 receives several new niceties for 2013. Like CX-9, the 2013 Mazda3 is now available with a 5.8-inch full-color touch screen, HD Radio Technology, Pandora, Radio Broadcast Data System program information, SMS text message audio delivery and reply, E911 automatic emergency notification, audio menu voice command as well as a TomTom technology-based in-dash navigation system that offers real-time traffic alerts.
SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY also is now standard on all i trim models, which includes Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.
The turbocharged 263-horsepower rascal of the model line, the MAZDASPEED3, also receives the HMI upgrades via a new Technology Package as well as contrasting exterior treatments with Black Mica outer mirrors, a rear roof inner spoiler and a rear lower valence. To further complement the aggressive exterior styling are 18-inch Gunmetal aluminum alloy wheels.
The 2013 Mazda3 starts at $16,700 MSRP. SKYACTIV-equipped models start at $18,375 MSRP while the MAZDASPEED3 starts at $24,200 MSRP.
Also on display alongside these all-new and refreshed vehicles are the rest of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom lineup of 2013 models, which include the Mazda2, Mazda5 and MX-5 Miata.