Mazda, Honda Suspend U.S. Orders for Japan-Made Models

Mazda has suspended all US orders for cars built in Japan as the carmaker is preparing to shut down its plants once again after a short reopening period. According to the automaker’s American spokesman Jay Amestoy, the decision will affect shipments of cars that were due to arrive in the U.S. in May. The Mazda official added that it was uncertain when normal activity will resume.

Mazda USA imports almost all its range from the Japan, except the U.S.-built Mazda6 and Tribute. The models produced in Japan are the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5 / Miata, RX-8, CX7 and CX9. Mazda halted production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants from March 14 through March 21, but three days ago, it resumed temporary production using parts it had in its inventory.

Starting from Monday, however, the factories will be shut down once again. Mazda says its U.S. sales won't be affected since its American subsidiary has enough cars in stock. In 2010, Mazda imported from Japan 83 percent of the cars sold in the U.S.

Honda also announced this week that it suspended U.S. dealer orders for vehicles imported from Japan, including the Fit, CR-V, Insight, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Acura TSX and Acura RL. Nissan said it would reduce its planned allocation for May by half, with the other half to be released when its Japanese factories confirm the vehicles will be ready. Toyota and Mitsubishi have not suspended dealer orders.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Autonews

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New Mazda MX5-GT Racer with 275HP Completes 0-60mph Sprint in 3.0 Seconds

Meet the all-new MX5-GT, a featherweight race car with which Mazda will participate in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011 taking on Aston Martin, Porsche, Lotus, and BMW. It may seem like a difficult task but Mazda, in cooperation with Jota Sport, the race engineering team that will run the cars in the 2011 series, have a few tricks under their sleeves.

For starters, the GT is claimed to be the lightest and most powerful MX-5 ever built. Jota Sport took some 400 hours to build the car’s shell to a specification that ensured it was 17 times stronger than required by the FIA. Weight-saving measures include the removal of interior parts, reducing component weight and dipping the shell in acid to shave 15kg. The end result is a total weight of just 850kg or 1,873 lbs.

The MX-5 GT is powered by Mazda’s 2.0-liter engine modified to produce 275bhp. The four-cylinder unit is linked to a six-speed sequential paddle shift gearbox and according to the Japanese company, it can accelerate the car from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in just 3.0 seconds while offering a top speed of 160mph (257km/h).

Other mechanical upgrades include the modified suspension, competition alloy wheels and tires, and performance braking system.

On the outside, the MX-5 GT features a Spirited Green metallic body color complimented by Jota Sport’s corporate liveries in orange and grey. Open up the carbon fiber doors and you are welcomed by a stripped out interior featuring a roll cage, a fire extinguisher, competition steering wheel and a racing bucket seat.

“The MX-5 production race car’s modest power output, bullet proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars,” said Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.

“With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX-5 GT race car will be strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class,” he concluded.

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Mazda Continues Rollout of Special Edition MX-5s with Kendo Model for the UK Market

Named after “The way of the Sword”, which is said to be a form of modern Japanese martial art, the MX-5 Kendo is the latest special edition model to be released by Mazda to celebrate the 900,000 units produced since the introduction of the first MX-5 in 1989. The MX-5 Kendo has been created for the UK market and will be available from March 1 in two forms, the MX-5 1.8i Kendo soft-top priced at £19,255 and the more powerful MX-5 2.0i Kendo roadster coupe with a £22,320 price tag.

Both variants are based on the local-market SE derivatives and feature a unique Stone Leather interior with matching colored stitching on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels, exterior badging and floor mats, plus front fog lamps, heated seats, brushed aluminium style-bar trim and aluminium pedals.

In addition, the Kendo Roadster Coupe comes with three extra items of equipment, including a premium BOSE audio system, Bluetooth hands-free and cruise control. Both Kendo models offer a choice of Sparkling Black or Dolphin Grey mica paint finish – free of charge.

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The...Lime Lantern: Mazda’s Special Edition MX-5 Roadster Coupe Karai

Another week, and rather than just another Mazda, it’s another MX-5 special edition. This one is called Karai, which according to the company is Japanese for ‘sharp’, and it comes to us from Mazda’s European division.

The Karai is based on the MX-5 Roadster coupe, which means it is fitted with a retractable hardtop. It boasts a unique lime-green paint called “Metal Green Metallic” for the body and contrasting glossy black finish for metal top, exterior mirrors, trim accents such as the front grille and fog lamp surrounds, as well as the 17-inch multispoke alloy wheels that are shod in low profile performance tires.

On the inside, the MX-5 Karai features a pair of Recaro sport seats trimmed in black leather and Alcantara with white stitching, aluminum pedals, leather steering wheel with white stitching while Mazda says all the interior trim pieces that are usually finished in silver are now painted in a glossy black color.

Power comes from the stock 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 160-horses, with Mazda also offering an optional sport package that includes an exhaust system, a lowering kit for the suspension plus a few more goodies such an iPod and USB adapter, and an exclusive set of floor mats.

Mazda said it plans to build 165 examples of the Karai for Germany, with prices starting at €30,000 (US$43,500). Sales will start in August and all buyers will receive a special Sinn watch with matching green dials.

The company didn’t say if and when it will offer the special edition roadster in other markets.

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A Mazda MX-5 On Steroids: Australia’s V8 Engined Bullet Roadster

In the late ‘90s, Australian John Bettini unleashed onto the word the Bullet Roadster. What begin life as a heavily modified Mazda MX-5 with an RX-7 13B powerplant gradually evolved into a V8-engined monster like the one you see here that we found for sale in Queensland, Australia.

According to the seller, this was the fifth Bullet Roadster built and the first V8-engined one to roll out of the company’s then new Chinderah, NSW factory. It’s all hearsay, of course, but I’m willing to believe the words of a 62yo motoring enthusiast with arthritic knees. So here goes...

Bullet No. 5 was a special order from a man named George Covacic who supplied a 4.6-liter all-alloy, fuel injected V8 crate motor along with a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission and the differential from a Holden Commodore SS. Like all Bullet supercars, the brakes and suspension came from the Mazda RX-7.

Standard equipment extended to 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, power window and an Alpine CD stereo sound system – flash for a car built in the late ‘90s. All cars also got leather and a Momo steering wheel, shift knob and drilled pedals.

This particular example, which has done a paltry 16,107 km (10,008 miles), is finished in “Grace Green” with a black leather interior.

It’s fully registered and roadworthy, and at “just” AU$44,000 (US$46,191) is more than half the price it was when it was new (AU$98,000 / US$102,880). Check out the seller’s gallery of the V8-powered Miata below.

By Tristan Hankins

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