Nissan Planning Juke-Based Mini-Z to take on FR-S/BRZ?(Jul 18, 2012)I get a flashback to the Solstice/Sky twins from GM. They were made to be a cheap, 2-seat convertible like the MX-5. Only problem? Front wheel drive. No one wants a sports car that's not rear wheel drive. This mini-Z should be fine for emerging markets, but when sold in a place that also sells the Toyobaru, it has no chance.
First Spy Shots of Restyled 2013 Mazda 6(Jul 08, 2012)The interior of Mazda's next generation models are nothing revolutionary. It's a step up from before, but that's because the majority of the engineering and design went into the body, chassis, suspension and drivetrain. A facelifted model should get a decent interior upgrade. Until hen, these cars are all about how they drive.
First Spy Shots of Restyled 2013 Mazda 6(Jul 08, 2012)Are you saying this looks very upscale compared to the previous model? Or did you really not read the article or even the title?
And the Most American-Made Car for 2012 is... (Jul 04, 2012)Well, Jordan, maybe Ford, Chrysler and GM should move all their manufacturing back to US shores so they can once again be All-American brands. Cheap offshore labor is what made the Camry the number one American car. More of them are built and sold here than anything else.
SRT Barracuda, Ram Truck and Small Roadster to join new Viper?(Jun 29, 2012)This would NOT be replacing the Challenger. The SRT Barracuda will be the Challenger's replacement. As long as it's RWD (if it's built) unlike the Solstice/Sky, it could be a way to go. But I doubt SRT will go that route, as I said earlier.
SRT Barracuda, Ram Truck and Small Roadster to join new Viper?(Jun 29, 2012)Just imagine the new Dodge front end styling on this. Remember guys, this is from 2007 and matched pretty well with the rest of the Dodge lineup back then. Update it to fit the modern design language, and it would look real nice. I like it how it is, honestly.
SRT Barracuda, Ram Truck and Small Roadster to join new Viper?(Jun 29, 2012)SRT Magnum to compete with the CTS-V, at least performance-wise. Tons of people would enjoy the performance of that car, but most can't afford one. I doubt a new Magnum is in SRT's future, though. And I don't think the Dart SRT4 would count since the car itself is a Dodge with SRT tuning. And a new Demon would compete too closely with the MX-5. The new SRT vehicle will not be a rebadged/tuned Dodge or Jeep. I feel like it will be its own vehicle.
Facebook Fan Designed Aston Martin DB9 1M Revealed(Jun 27, 2012)Probably because this isn't a production car. Just a tribute to their Facebook fans. It stands for one million, not 1 series M-edition (or whatever BMW says 1M means).
Weekly News Roundup: June 17th - June 23rd(Jun 24, 2012)Local Subaru dealer had a blue BR-Z out front. Looks nice, but I'd still take the 1992 Miata they have over the new BR-Z.
Weekly News Roundup: June 17th - June 23rd(Jun 24, 2012)It's an extended-range electric vehicle. It still has a gasoline engine, but it never directly drives the wheels. And the fire problem is being fixed. A few new battery braces and I think a tweak to the cooling system and they're good to go. And at least GM is fixing the problem instead of just blowing it off as typical accident damage.
Also, no one has built a car like this before. Yes, there's been hybrids, as well as GM's own mild-hybrid, and full electric cars, but nothing like this. The Vo
Weekly News Roundup: June 17th - June 23rd(Jun 24, 2012)I think Mazda can do that themselves. Look at the SkyActiv engines, for example. Mazda could have gone the route others took with downsized, turbo-charged engines, but they didn't. They went high-tech and completely rethought and basically reinvented the internal combustion engine. Ones that use pistons so far, anyway.
After the next-gen MX-5 goes into production, I'm sure Mazda will focus their resources and engineering expertise on the next rotary engine. I have faith in Mazda. Long live rota
Weekly News Roundup: June 17th - June 23rd(Jun 24, 2012)What does being their sponsor have to do with it? Motor Trend already did this story a few weeks ago, as well as other automotive news outlets.
Mazda wants to return to Le Mans, but they already won with a rotary, plus it's not allowed anymore anyway due to emissions reasons, so they're going to try winning with diesel power. The engine Mazda is selling to racing teams is well engineered and will do well on the track, even if they don't win.
Toyota Launches Aero Package for GT86 Sports Coupe in Australia(Jun 20, 2012)The spoiler is that high because it needs undisturbed air to do its job. Same reason the Dodge Daytona had a huge wing. If it was only a few inches off the trunk lid, there would be almost no useable air because of the roofline forcing air up and over the rear of the car. So yes, the wing DOES aid in downforce and aerodynamics.
Driver Owns 2013 Mustang GT/CS for 8 Hours Before Wrapping it Around Tree(Jun 08, 2012)The reason the Mustang can't handle the bumps is because of its live axle. Every time Pobst hit a bump, it would throw the Mustang out of its line. The Camaro can take it because of its independent suspension. Wait for the next gen Mustang and its new independent rear suspension, then do another comparison.
Toyota CEO’s Favorite Cars Not Built by His Company(May 27, 2012)Cosmo all the way. First production two-rotor rotary car produced. And Mazda is the only manufacturer who hast given up on the rotary engine.
Latest 2015 Mustang Rendering is Considered Fairly Close(May 09, 2012)Make a BMW look like a Miata? You know the Miata has been a benchmark for handling comparisons since its debut in 1990, right?
Anyway, besides the headlights, I think it looks good.
Toyota Reportedly Working on Supra Successor(May 06, 2012)More than likely they'll use the hybrid setup as a performance enhancer. Adding instant torque for faster acceleration and handling, just like the new NSX.
2014 BMW M4 Coupe Speculatively Rendered(May 05, 2012)The black part between the grille and headlights is part of the headlight. The new 3 series (I think) has the headlights stretched to touch the grille to give the car a wider look. Personally I think they could have done better with it. It looks like a last minute add-on, not something that was sculpted into the design.
2013 SRT Viper Leaves Ferrari’s Chief ‘Speechless’(May 03, 2012)Plus, everything is functional. All the scoops and openings and vents either provide cooling to the engine or brakes or help with aerodynamics. So for the front end to be "too busy" is actually true. It's busy making the car perform better.
Next Generation Lexus IS Caught Testing(Apr 16, 2012)Have you? Because that's a current generation body and a next generation platform. It gives nothing away about the shape or lines of the next generation body. Is say this type of camouflage is much better than the swirly paint and stickers used to hide next gen designs.
Shelby 1000 Proudly Displayed in New York(Apr 06, 2012)I just can't get past the headlights. Anyone else think it looks crosseyed? The projectors should be switched to the outside of the headlight housing, not the inside. And when I say "outside," I mean towards the fender, not on the "inside" next to the grille.
Shelby Rolls Out the First AC Cobra(Apr 06, 2012)Agreed. And when he does, or if he, finally passes, it should stay in his family or go to a museum.
2013 Ram 1500 Unveiled: Why Full-Size Pickups Were Put on this Earth(Apr 05, 2012)A relatively small percentage of people buy full sized trucks for work these days. A lot of people get them for their looks and "own-the-road" view from the driver's seat. So having a lot of luxury and convenience items in trucks is becoming more and more commonplace.
2013 Ram 1500 Unveiled: Why Full-Size Pickups Were Put on this Earth(Apr 05, 2012)I like chrome on the bumpers, step rails and grille. But only the signature crossbar part of the grille. The inserts behind it should be satin black. And no chrome around the tail lights. I think the 300's tail lights are hideous, to be honest.
Luxury Brand Rebirth: 2013 Lincoln MKZ Revealed(Apr 03, 2012)Because Ford had to sell them off to survive the recession. Ford kept Lincoln because it's their own brand pretty much. Ford got rid of all the foreign stuff.
Flying Dutch Car Takes to the Sky(Apr 02, 2012)Younger and younger generations will be less and less adept at driving. Too many electronic aids to rely on while learning to drive. If those systems stop working for some reason, the driver won't know what to do, freak out, and crash. If this makes it to production, it better have a pretty good fricken auto-pilot programmed into its system.
Because 200 Horsepower Isn’t Enough: V8-Powered Toyota GT-86(Apr 01, 2012)It's not all about power. Get out of the muscle car mentality. This is a sports car. It's about power to weight RATIO. A super light car with 350+ horsepower would be near impossible for the average consumer to drive with out expensive, electronic nannies to get the car on the road.
Unearthed: 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10(Mar 26, 2012)A super-sized MX-5, haha.
But really, the Viper is a Viper. It came out the same time the MX-5 did, so neither copied the other.
In fact, Mazda's inspiration for the MX-5 came from, and I hate to admit it, Porsche. Going to go scrub my tongue now, be right back.
New Official Photos of the Bodacious Lexus LF-LC(Mar 25, 2012)I hope not, rockstar. But judging the the spindle grille on the new 2012 GS, they will. But perhaps not, since this will be a much higher end model.
Batmobiles, Redheads and Drag Racing – Sounds Like a Great Thursday(Mar 22, 2012)The most attractive girl I've seen on carbuzz so far. And she's not fake. I'll take average sized, real breasts over fake, oversized ones any day. Lipstick may be a bit bright, but I can live with that.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 21, 2012)And if you want more power, either turbo the I4 or swap in Mazda's 2.5L V6 from a 626, RX-7 bell-housing and Miata transmission and turbo that. Easy 400+ horsepower and still using Mazda components.
Hell, a properly built 1.8L DOHC from the 1990's can make upwards of 350hp.
Not that the MX-5 needs that much power, but for all you "more is better" folks, the options are there.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 21, 2012)I'm with Bob. Excessive amounts of power is useless if you can't control it around a turn. The Miata was never meant to be a drag racer like a Mustang or Camaro. It was meant to handle like no other vehicle on the road. To connect the driver to the road and make the car an extension of his or her body.
Tushek Renovatio T500 is a Slovenian Supercar Worthy of Praise(Mar 21, 2012)I'm not saying it is anything other than what it is. I just found the Pontiac grille (totally unintentional by the designer) kind of funny. I'm definitely not calling this thing a Pontiac in any way
Video: Nissan GT-R Sets World Record on the Drag Strip(Mar 19, 2012)not guide them.
And as for hating, I'm not. I respect the amount of energy and engineering that went into this beast, as well as the Juke-R. But I wouldn't own one. I hate Porsche, so I don't read any of those articles or comment them, trying to cause an argument. Saves a lot of BS
Video: Nissan GT-R Sets World Record on the Drag Strip(Mar 19, 2012)Dang, that's quick.
I wouldn't mind a car with less electronic assists, though. I prefer a true mechanical limited slip differential over electronic torque vectoring, which uses an open differential and just clamps the brakes of the wheel with less traction. Yes, it works, but I prefer the "old school" way of doing things.
So I can see where Fordfan is coming from. Without all the assists, the GT-R would be damn near impossible to drive at speeds like that. I want to drive my cars, not guide t
Unearthed: 1984 Mazda RX-7(Mar 19, 2012)Hydrogen power would be cool, haha. My idea is about how to incorporate an electric motor into the drivetrain, though. Maybe they have thought of it and I just haven't seen anything about it, though.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 19, 2012)The Mazda MX-5 Miata Superlight was a concept built to commemorate the 20th anniversary on the Miata. It used lightweight materials to reduce weight, increase performance and fuel economy and decrease CO2 emissions.
There was a limited production run (2000 units) of an anniversary edition in 2009 for Europe only. It was based on the 1.8L, soft top version. And had a windshield, mirrors and requisite safety and convenience features.
So yes, the Superlight was and is a concept. It was never mean
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 19, 2012)CONCEPT!!! It was never meant to be street legal anywhere. That's why there's no mirror or windshield.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 19, 2012)If anyone DRLs like a cross dresser for owning or driving an MX-5, then they obviously have no idea what their driving and don't deserve to be in the driver's seat.
Unearthed: 1984 Mazda RX-7(Mar 18, 2012)If Mazda can't get the rotary engine to meet emissions regulations on its own, it will have to use some form of electrification. I have an ideal on my head of how it could be done, but I won't say.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 18, 2012)How do people drive without that stuff? Same way they drove back in the 50's and 60's. Put the window down and grab a map.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 18, 2012)John, I've seen way more men driving Miatas than women. I feel like I see more women driving Camaros and Mustangs than men. Take a look next time you see one instead of assuming small means girly.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 18, 2012)Anyone that wants more power, either build it yourself, or find a Mazdaspeed version. Factory turbocharged.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 18, 2012)Mike, you'd rather have a front wheel drive car with about the same amount of horsepower over a rear wheel drive? Answer seems pretty obvious to me.
And power isn't everything. Motor Trend recently compared a 500+ hp Mercedes-Benz AMG Black Series to a Miata. Saying it "handles like a 500hp Miata." Now that's really saying something about the insane handling of a car that costs a fraction of the AMG.
Again, the answer seems clear to me. Mazda MX-5 Miata all day, everyday.
2014 Mazda MX-5 Getting Turbocharged?(Mar 18, 2012)Yeah guy, it's a Koenegsegg MX-5, jeez.
By the way, I know this is a Mazda concept. I was being sarcastic. Can't say as much for some of the other people who commented.
Unearthed: 1984 Mazda RX-7(Mar 17, 2012)The next rotary sports car will use a lot of Mazda's SkyActiv technology to make the chassis, body and suspension lighter and stiffer than before. I've read that it could use a hybrid setup, but they should use it as a performance enhancer as well as an economy enhancer.
Unearthed: 1984 Mazda RX-7(Mar 17, 2012)I think by saying "conventional" they're referring to piston power.