Autoblog UK

Organisers of the Los Angeles Auto Show invited design studios based in Southern California to set out their vision for Mobile Teens in 2030 (Youthmobile 2030). Studies were drawn up by design studios at General Motors, Audi, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Toyota. 2009 is the sixth year that this Design Challenge has been held. The winner will be announced on Press Day at the Los Angeles Auto Show, 2nd and 3rd December 2009.

Car Hero by General Motors can drive itself and is steered by mobile phone (that's if they are still around in 2030). Audi designers submitted two very bold design studies, the eSpira and the eOra, that are guided to their destination by hand movements (not a good idea for those of us who are not at our best in the mornings but nevertheless need to get to work). Nissan's V2G is an eco-friendly electrically powered car. This e-car has an aerodynamic egg shape and six wheels. In Mazda's Souga, the car's two occupants sit diagonally behind one another. According to its designers, buyers of the Souga will configure the car to suit their needs. Both Nissan and Toyota designers believe that, in 2030, vehicles travelling in the rush hour will often be joined together in groups of two or more. The Toyota's appearance can be digitally altered and tyre friction converted back into energy.

It's already common knowledge that the CX-7 is the sportiest crossover in its class. Now revamped with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, this particular offering from Mazda should at last begin to post the sales figures it deserves. Nippy handling coupled with moderate fuel consumption whilst still providing plenty of horsepower and torque, added to which you get four-wheel drive and the associated degree of variability and flexibility – that's exactly what people expect from a vehicle in this class. The fact that Mazda also use the latest production methods to spare the environment leaves purchasers with a warm glow of eco satisfaction. And when the price is right, success is guaranteed.

Mazda will not only be bringing along some new engines plus a recently developed automatic gearbox to this year's Tokyo Motor Show (24th October - 4th November) but will also be showcasing their Kiyora compact concept. The new diesel engine from Mazda goes by the name of SKY-D and features (amongst other things) high-pressure piezo injectors and a two-stage turbocharger. Fuel efficiency has been boosted by 20 percent compared with Mazda's current 2.2-litre diesel engine. And at the same time, Tokyo will be seeing the Kiyora make its world debut. This metro-style concept has been designed for a felicitous combination of eco virtues with driving dynamics within the compact car segment. The technically advanced drivetrain components from the SKY concept together with lightweight construction materials reduce fuel consumption by the 1.3L engine to an amazing 91mpg (3.1 litres per 100km).

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the MX-5, Mazda is to unveil an unpretentious, sporty interpretation of the roadster at the IAA in Frankfurt (17th-27th September 2009). Based on the production car, Mazda's European design team has crafted the MX-5 Superlight Concept especially for the IAA in Frankfurt. This concept vehicle demonstrates the company's interpretation of an affordable, hard-core two seater. As with Mazda's original MX-5 of 1989, which revived the idea of a reasonably-priced open-top sports car, with the engine at the front and rear wheel drive, this futuristic study breathes new life into the traditional rag-top sports car. Having a radical design, it dispenses with a windscreen and should offer lots of driving enjoyment from its sports-tuned chassis and 1.8 litre petrol engine pumping out 126bhp.The original car remains the best-selling roadster in automobile history.

The cost of the Mazda3 MPS is fractionally less than that of the four-door Golf GTI and so they are almost in the same price bracket. But with the MPS you get an additional 50 BHP and three years warranty for the first 100,000 km/60,000 miles. Workmanship and reliability are good without question. Other plus points are: the short list of reasonably priced options and a roomy cabin. The GTI may win you over with additional technical features such as DSG, a Direct Shift Gearbox and has a better image, as is well-known. But whether these features help the Golf to stay out in front of the MPS on the track is another thing.

Without this small Japanese run-around, it is unlikely that the fashion for roadsters would exist. A good 20 years ago, the Mazda MX-5 started its impressive career, thereby spurring other car manufacturers on to bring two-seater funsters back into circulation. With almost 900,000 sold, the MXD-5 is the best-selling roadster in the world.

TOP 10 roadsters: Cadillac XLR, Opel GT, Mercedes SL, Porsche Boxster, Tesla Roadster, Lotus Elise, Chevrolet Corvette, Mercedes SLK

Coming soon: BMW Z4

Rejoice all ye Wankel fans: after making its world debut in January, the Mazda RX-8 really is coming to Europe. Visitors to the IAA in Frankfurt (17th - 27th September) will be able to subject the little runabout to intense scrutiny. In any case, this RX-8 comes across as much brawnier than its predecessor, which can be attributed in part to its new headlamps and enlarged air intakes. Mazda intended this model to create a more upmarket impression, and the Japanese carmaker has certainly succeeded in this respect. The 231bhp Wankel engine is good for a maximum speed of 145mph (234km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds. The new Mazda is available only with the single 'top' specification and retails at 38,180 euros. It can be ordered from your local Mazda showroom today – or you can content yourself with a little window shopping in our photo gallery.

So how would we like ours served up? With cloth cap or a metal helmet? An article of faith that divides the open-top fraternity when they contemplate the choice between different models such as the BMW 3 or Audi A5. And now they have the same decision to make with one and the same vehicle. The retractable roof of the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is quieter and more weatherproof, plus it can be closed or opened by the simple press of a button. Or at least according to its advocates. But purists will turn up their noses. A real roadster has a manually operated fabric roof and nothing else. A genuine roadster driver is made of sterner stuff. And in any case, it looks flashier.

European fans of the Mazda MX-5 roadster will be converging on Le Mans over the weekend of 13th -14th June to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this compact classic. More than 200 owners have already signed up for the occasion. The jamboree has been jointly organised by the European Mazda fan clubs to coincide with the 24-hour race staged at the famous circuit in northern France.

In the 2003, the first Mazda 3 came to market and rapidly developed into their best-selling vehicle and its predecessor the 323 found a total of over ten million buyers worldwide. With this revised version of the Mazda 3, the Japanese manufacturer is seeking to present itself in a more sporty and environmentally-friendly light.

The Mazda 3 is slowly developing into a direct competitor to the Audi A3 and BMWs and
whether the Primus will also attack the VW Golf market is met by a typical smile from the Japanese. This smile also comes from the front of the car, where a large radiator grille with set back headlights give a very friendly impression. There is a range of four engine options from 105bhp to 185bhp. Another friendly statement by the manufacturer is in the matter of fuel consumption, which is said to be 45mpg. The official brand introduction is in June 2009 and Mazda are asking for 16,900 euros for the 1.6 litre petrol engine version with 105bhp.