Mazda Motor Corporation, together with Teijin Limited and Teijin Fibers Limited, was able to come up with the world’s first biofabric that can be used as seat covers and other components that can be found in the vehicle’s interior. The biofabric that was invented by the team-up does not have oil-based materials in its constitution. Although this is the case, the said biofabric is durable and is of outstanding quality. The biofabric is resistant to abrasion and to brittleness even when constantly exposed to sunlight. One of the best features of the said biofabric is that it is flame retardant.

This new biofabric will be used in the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid’s seat covers as well as its door trim. The said vehicle will be on exhibit this coming October at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Aside from the biofabric, the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will also feature the bioplastic—which Mazda was able to develop sometime in 2006—for its instrument panel as well as on other interior components. The biofabric is made from polylactic acid, which is a plastic that is basically fashioned from combining lactic acid molecules that are found at fermented carbohydrates like plant sugars. Since the said biofabric is organic, it will in no way be harmful with the environment.

Mazda has come up with its Mazda 3 series in order to address its goal to be able to redefine the compact car category. With the Mazda 3 series, the company is able to offer safety, reliability, refinement, and superb performance that one may only find from expensive European sport cars. It is for this reason that the Mazda 3 is something that car enthusiasts wary of their budget have their eyes on it. The Mazda 3 provides driving experience that exceeds its price. In short, with the Mazda 3, you get more than what you paid for.

In Japan, the Mazda 3 is known as Axela. Looking back in time, the Axela was introduced by Mazda Motor Corporation in 2004 and it was able to replace the 323. It was received warmly by the people. Proof of this is its high sales. In other words, at the time it was introduced, the world simply loved the Axela. It has been said that the sedan was tagged as the “People’s Choice” in many countries. To top it off, Mazda 3 even became Canada’s second best-selling car last year. Back in 2005, it was on record that around 340,000 units of Mazda 3 were exported.

In order to ensure the safety of its passengers, Mazda 3 is equipped with a wide range of safety features. These safety features will aid in protecting the users of the Mazda 3 vehicle from uncalled-for road accidents. Among the safety features are the Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System (MAIDAS), Traction Control System (TCS), and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). In case of a collision, MAIDAS will effectively disperse the impact energy. The MAIDAS has a distinct triple H structure that enables it to disperse the impact energy.

With the abovementioned traits of the Mazda 3, it is not surprising that the world embraces the Mazda 3.

The Mazda Tribute Hybrid is an answer to the heed of Californians for a hybrid SUV. This is the main reason why the Tribute Hybrids are only available in California as of the moment. Hopefully, in the future, the people in Mazda will decide to have the Hybrids available everywhere for the said vehicle is truly friendly to the environment. Its main feature is that it delivers amazing fuel economy while at the same time providing its users with a comfortable ride. As for its emissions, one can say that it is considerably low in harmful gases.

The Tribute Hybrid comes in three colors. One can say that the model is very much like Ford’s Escape Hybrid. Since Ford owns a part of Mazda, it does not come as a surprise that the engineering and technology of Ford Escape Hybrid is borrowed to come up with the Mazda Tribute Hybrid. This is not at all a bad thing. In fact, the Tribute Hybrid is not only an Escape Hybrid styled as a Mazda put it also has with it, improvements on the Escape Hybrid itself.

For 2008, Mazda comes up with the Tribute Hybrid. It has a center console that is made of a black durable material that seems to repel dirt such as from greasy fingertips. Aside from this, it has a spacious cargo and has a fuel economy of 34/30 mpg.

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is a model that offers Mazda enthusiasts with an extended choice. By using the features of the models that came before it, the MX-5 is able to gain the appeal of a slightly different audience. The Roadster Coupe proposes additional security aside from its being vandal-proof. Its two-liter version is powered by 160 bhp four-cylinder engine. There are four variations of this model that are made available for consumers to choose from.

It has a roof that has the capacity to retract in three sections while having no impact on the boot space. In fact, it only adds about 37 kg to the weight of the MX-5 Roadster’s top. As for the rear deck, it sits 40 mm higher by the side of the rear window line and 20 mm higher by the side of the trailing edge of the boot. This gives the MX-5 a more commanding look and air to it than the one with the soft top. Usually, the roof of vehicles takes about 22 seconds to fold. The MX-5 Roadster’s top, however, takes only 12 seconds. This record makes it the fastest folding roof among vehicles.

Upon opening the roof of the MX-5, a mechanism then folds it rearwards and stores it under the cover of the rear deck. Other vehicles have it in a cartridge in the boot. With the MX-5, one can make use of the boot even if the roof is folded.

The Mazda CX-7 is SUV packed with high-performance power, comfort and sporty design. This vehicle is perfect especially for those who want settle down or for families who have that attitude.

A lot of features make the new CX-7 appear sportier and powerful. Looking at the exterior, the model has a sporty presence with a larger lower intake, a sweeping roofline, newly styled light clusters, kick-up belt line and large, powerful fenders over 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R18 tires. CX-7 is cemented by two large bore tailpipes and detailed round tail lamps at the back. It also delivers superior aerodynamic performance that contributes to straight-line, high-speed stability and low wind noise. In the vehicle’s amazingly large and comfortable interior, a Cd value of 0.34 is incorporated. Specially designed seats call for anyone to sit or even rest for a long time. These parts are electrically adjustable and with the height adjustable leather steering wheel taken from the MX5 complete with remote audio controls plus cruise control.

A volume of 455 liters is in the boot area which increases to 1,348 liters if the 60:40 split rear seats are folded flat using Mazda’s unique Karakuri system. A latch is only pulled in the cargo area then seats will be tumbled flat. There is a new doorsill designed with low positioning that reduces the chance of debris getting onto the hem of the trousers every time the occupants or the owner gets in and out of the vehicle. An impressive reversible boot floor, lots of storage solutions and slim door pockets are integrated in the CX-7.

Providing the CX-7 with a high-performance result is MZR 2.3-litre direct-injection turbo petrol with intercooler. The engine which is also used by the sporty flagship models Mazda6 MPS and Mazda3 MPS. This component proves the new model to be powerful since it would just take 8 seconds to reach 62mph and top speed of 130mph. Besides, fuel consumption is not compromised achieving 27.7mpg on a combined cycle. Carbon dioxide emissions are somewhat high at 243g/km.

The new model is equipped with Mazda’s Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system to provide superior traction. It has a specifically adapted six-speed manual transmission for Europe and absolutely produces a sportier action with the torques and brake horse power adding to the sports car’s reputation.

Mazda CX-7 has a light a stiff body shell that produces the local and general rigidity. Standard features can be seen in the model like electric windows, electric door mirrors, electrically heated front seats plus the radio-CD player with MP3 capability. Additional option includes the metallic paint with one trim mated to one engine. This would give the customer an extra gain.

A precise steering will be achieved as a result of the hydraulic rack and pinion power assisted system that only takes 2.9 turns lock to lock. The handling stability and suspension control is also very evident.

With the newly designed features to provide a powerful and stronger vehicle, the Mazda crossover CX-7 really proves to be another performance vehicle and a sports car as well.

‘Kuro’ is a Japanese word that means black. For Mazda, however, black is more than just the presence of all colors, but a combination of elegance and well-engineered auto parts in the company’s latest offering tagged as the Mazda RX-8 Kuro.

The Mazda RX-8 Kuro radiates an air of exclusivity not only because of its distant Sparkling Black Mica paint, but also because of the fact that this new Mazda model will only be available for 500 potential owners in the United Kingdom. Each Mazda Kuro will be given with a corresponding number, which will be displayed on a stainless steel-made scuff plate. The individually numbered Kuro further defines how privileged the future owners will be for having one of the only 500 Mazda Kuro vehicles in the U.K.

A burning £23,995 will be the cost of this special and limited Mazda Kuro model. For starters, the costly price tag of the coupe covers the 18-inch blackened alloy wheels and light bezels. Looking into the inner parts of this Mazda find, one would find the difference between the Kuro and other models in the RX-8 line, like the seats that have been given a stone-colored hue trimmings. Moreover, the steering wheel, handbrake lever, and transmission stick, have been made even more sophisticated with the leather covering and coordinated pattern stitches.

Setting aside the external offering of the Kuro, this model also takes pride in its equally remarkable interior and performance-related parts. The power plant of the Mazda Kuro is a 1.3-liter petrol engine that is capable of producing as much as 231-horsepower. This mean-looking four-wheel machine also guarantees a zero to 60 miles per hour speed up in just 6.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 146 miles per hour. For the safety features of the Mazda Kuro, it has been equipped with the standard Anti-lock Braking System and the twin front airbags.

These are only some of the features of this limited model, while the rest have just to be discovered by the future owners. For those 500 sports car enthusiasts looking for a mean but elegant ride, the Mazda RX-8 Kuro might be the best choice.

The Mazda CX-9

Two sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from Mazda recently received the government’s thumbs-up in terms of car safety.

The Mazda CX-9 and CX-7 vehicles earned the highest possible ratings in impact crashes by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency responsible for reducing vehicle-related accidents. In particular, the two Mazda vehicles received a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test ratings and four-star rollover resistance ratings.

“This is a true testament to Mazda’s advanced safety engineering that both CX-9 and CX-7 received the highest safety honors,” said Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. “While other companies can certainly build safe vehicles, we’re the only company that delivers that safety with a healthy dose of Zoom-Zoom in every car and SUV.”

The NHTSA did its frontal testing by placing dummies in a vehicle and crashing it into a stationary barrier at 35 miles per hour. There are tools that measure the force of impact to the head, chest, and legs of the dummy. For the side impact test, a 3,015-pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph is crashed into the side of the passenger compartment of the stationary vehicle.

The Mazda CX-9 and CX-7, along with other Mazda vehicles, help drivers avoid accidents through the use of standard safety features such as Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control Systems (TCS), and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TMPS). Also, CX-9 and Tribute are both equipped with standard Roll Stability Control (RSC), which uses gyroscopic sensors to actively measure and help control both yaw and roll movements.

Passive safety technologies, which are available on CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3, and Tribute, include three-point seat belts for all seating positions, second row Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety restraints, seat belt reminding systems, advanced dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags and air curtains (front and rear). These features are designed to work especially during accidents.

Mazda has leased a dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine vehicle to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) for use in the Ministry’s daily operations. It is the eighth hydrogen rotary-powered vehicle to be leased out by the Japanese automaker since February 2006 and also marks the first hydrogen vehicle to be taken on by Japan’s central government.

The RX-8 Hydrogen features a dual-mode fuel system, enabling the driver to go to gasoline or hydrogen power at the flip of a switch. When engaged in hydrogen mode, the engine produces extremely low levels of carbon dioxide, a primary cause of global warming. Mazda has been developing hydrogen-powered engines since 1991 and received permission from the Japanese government to publicly test its hydrogen rotary in 2004. The rotary engine in the RX-8 Hydrogen is called the Renesis.

The Renesis is Mazda’s next-generation rotary engine that was launched in early 2003 in the all-new Mazda RX-8. The Renesis was named International Engine of the Year in June 2003. It delivers high power output for a naturally aspirated engine of its size and demonstrates significantly improved fuel economy and reduced emissions compared with previous generation rotary engines. The Renesis Hydrogen Rotary Engine is a Mazda-unique alternative-fuel vehicle. It is the ultimate demonstration of the flexibility of the unique rotary engine, maintaining a traditional driving feel, yet realizing extremely clean emissions through the use of hydrogen. The Renesis Hydrogen Rotary Engine capitalizes on the advantages of the rotary engine to assure the same ease-of-operation and reliability whether the engine is running on gasoline or hydrogen fuel. Moreover, since the engine requires modifications to run on hydrogen, it could enable production of a relatively low-cost hydrogen-powered alternative-fuel vehicle. The engine has been developed with a dual-fuel system, allowing it to run on either gasoline or hydrogen.

According to Mazda, the rotary engine is ideally suited for hydrogen power due to a cooler combustion area than in a conventional piston engine. Because of this advantage, the conversion process of a rotary engine from gasoline to hydrogen power is relatively simple.

All the hydrogen rotary vehicles leased out thus far have not only served as daily transportation, but have also been displayed at public events to increase awareness about environmental issues. There’s no word yet on whether we could be seeing a hydrogen rotary stateside.

Due to the high demands for environment friendly vehicles, Mazda has come up with “biofabric” that makes their vehicle’s seats friendly to the environment. With this new feature of Mazda vehicles, one can expect the future Mazda vehicles to be outfitted with seats made from plant-derived fibers. This is what most people would call a rather “green” solution to the problem of conventional car seats that are made from oil-based materials.

Mazda plans to show the “biotechmaterial” fabric in the cabin of the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to the public next month when the said vehicle will be out on display at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Many are already anticipating to have a sight of the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid for it will feature the Mazda “bioplastic.” This innovation was developed in 2006 in the instrument panel for Mazda vehicles.

The new Biotechmaterial technology is slated to “become a cornerstone for future biotechnologies aimed at reducing the burden on the environment,” said Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior executive officer in charge of research and development.

The said biofabric that will be featured in the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hbrid is made of polylactic acid. This poluactic acid is described by Mazda as a plastic made from fermented carbohydrates such as plant sugars. The biofabric is said to be resistant to abrasion and damage from sunlight, as well as being flame retardant. It was developed in collaboration with Teijin and Teijin Fibers.

Mazda biofabric is a plant-derived fiber used to make the seat covers and door trim on the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. It’s made using “fermented carbohydrates” and according to Mazda, the said new “biotechmaterial” fabric is fire retardant and resistant to abrasion and sun damage. This means that Mazda vehicle owners who have biofabric seat covers will save a lot because the seat covers are guaranteed to last and unlike regular seat covers, will not need to be replaced every once in a while.

With this innovation in seat covers, Mazda proves that it is a company geared toward the environment. Being made from plant-derived fibers, the new seat covers are durable and will put an end to the constant need to change the vehicles’ seat covers. With less need to change the seat covers, there will be less waste material that needs to be disposed off. By making high-quality seat covers from biofabric materials, Mazda is able to contribute to the world’s waste problem.

Swaraj Mazda, an automotive group managed by Punjab Tractors Limited in technical partnership with Mazda Motor Corporation, recently unveiled its luxury buses assembled on Isuzu bodywork at a ceremony held in Chandigarh.

Swaraj Mazda Managing Director Yash Mahajan introduced the Swaraj Mazda mega luxury bus, which boasts of a spacious interior with 40 seats and an efficient rear engine. He also declared that more large and medium buses will be manufactured by the company in the years to come, through its affiliation with Isuzu.

Furthermore, Mahajan affirmed that 2006 was a decisive year for the company. Efforts to establish up to date factories for Isuzu automobiles and for luxury buses were all initiated in August of that year. The two factories eventually produced a full capital cost of about Rs. 300 crore

According to Mahajan, the company had made a huge step as it became an expanded section of the commercial automobile business. To stress his point, Mahajan even brought to mind the humble beginnings of Swaraj Mazda. Being a joint business enterprise between Mazda Motor Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation, Swaraj Masda began its production with only 5,000 light commercial automobiles.

Swaraj Mazda has developed its competence through the years. From the initial 5,000, the production of its light commercial vehicles became 12,000 yearly. In addition to this, the product line of Swaraj Mazda now includes five bus models, five trucks, and other special function automobiles.

Isuzu Motors is perceived to shell out Rs. 300 crore as an investment in the Swaraj Mazda plant in Punjab, which will be used to assemble the trucks and buses. Mahajan estimated that on the plant’s first year, 12,000 trucks and buses would be released.