The design is clearly inspired by the Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai concepts, but also from the newly launched Mazda 6 and Mazda 2.

It will be offered in both sedan and hatchback versions. Engine will be changed also: Mazda will place new 2.0 and 2.5-litre engines and a six-speed box giving plenty of pace

Read more from the source here

Read more from the source here

The future Mazda3 will feature a more distinctive look inspired by the newly launched Mazda 2 and Mazda 6. It will feature large headlamps, angled tail-lights and a sporty profile. It will be offered in both sedan and hatchback versions.

Under the hood Mazda will place new 2.0 and 2.5-litre engines and a six-speed box giving plenty of pace. In addition, the current 1.6 diesel will also be carried over to the new model, which is due on sale towards the end of 2009.

Read more from the source here

Read more from the source here

Rather the ruby anniversary reflects the length of time Mazda has been dabbling in the mysterious art of the Wankel rotary engine. Though in curiously disorganized fashion, Mazda UK has gotten hold of this car a year late; the very first rotary Mazda was 1967’s Cosmos Sport 110S. Never mind.

GALLERY: Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Edition
Where does it fit?
At £24,595 the 40th Anniversary costs £1,490 more than the regular 228bhp ‘high-power’ RX-8 (it is not available as a 189bhp car). For the extra money you get a whole host of extra things - notably unique 18-inch alloys and “aerodynamically-proven” rear wing, blue-lensed fog lights (somewhat naff), leather and Alcantara interior, and uprated suspension.

This last includes groovy yellow Bilstein dampers - nice and showy - sportier front springs, and a 15mm ride height drop. With some special badging and those alloys it’s enough to stand out. No optional ruby red paint job, though, just a choice between on-trend pearlescent white, and boring - sorry, subtle - grey mica.

Is it for you?
There is currently quite a selection of mid-£20k+ coupés available: Audi TT, BMW 1-Series and Z4, Nissan 350Z, Mercedes CLC, Porsche Boxster, Alfa Brera - and shortly the new Volkswagen Scirocco as well. But only the RX-8 comes with an extra set of suicide-hinged doors to aid access to the rear.

This isn’t just a gimmick; they genuinely make the backseat more useable - especially helpful for anyone looking to keep a sporty car and a young family together in one happy relationship. The RX-8 is generally regarded as pretty, too (those fog lights excepted), while the unusual engine may appeal to techie types.

What does it do well?
The engine is, after all quite a marvel. Instead of the usual pistons it has twin rotors, and a capacity of just 1,308cc - putting that power output into sharp perspective. The delivery is a uniquely smooth experience, and the 9,000rpm redline comes round amazingly quickly. 0-62mph takes 6.4 seconds, top speed is 146mph.

What the engine doesn’t do is generate much torque (just 155lb ft at 5,500rpm). Fortunately, being so small it is also lightweight, and set behind the front axle line to help weight distribution. The six-speed gearbox is a precision delight, while in any RX-8 it feels like you’re driving something special.

Read more from the source here

The Moscow show car is the latest concept to be developed using the new design direction called Nagare – following in the footsteps of Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai. Nagare, which means “flow” in Japanese, represents a new approach to expressing movement in car design, taking as inspiration the flow patterns of natural elements, such as the wind. The design theme of Mazda’s concept for the 2008 Moscow motor show is “crosswinds”.

Russia is one of Europe’s fastest-growing markets and is rapidly becoming the region’s largest automobile market. SUVs are particularly popular in Russia, with a segment share of about 20 percent. Mazda’s latest concept car is designed to appeal particularly to younger SUV owners who have a strong sense of style.

The Moscow show car, the name of which will be announced in due course, again showcases the depth of creativity within Mazda design.

Read more from the source here

Mazda claims the concept, whose name is still forthcoming, is intended to be a crossover that retains the soul of a sports car. We can see that; there certainly are traces of the Mazda RX-8 in the front haunches, a key element to the firm’s “Nagare” design language.That said, Mazda does say this concept was styled “especially” for the Russian market. We’ll wait until its unveiling on August 26 to see just what that entails.

But from the sketches provided, we’re also seeing a lot of Mazda’s Hakaze concept, a two-door SUV/ crossover concept originally shown at the 2007 Geneva motor show. Although this new show car changes some details (particularly the front fascia, seemingly borrowed from the Furai concept shown at the 2008 Detroit auto show), the majority of the body’s profile - roofline and all - seemingly stems from the Hakaze.

Read more from the source here