Normally we expect to see the lineup from Mazda carry forth the “zoom zoom” mantra that has been around for years and continues to be a true way Mazda can show off its love for giving us cars that are quick and decisive on the road. Most of the time this comes in the form of the Miata, which we still get to enjoy, and the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 both receiving the Mazdaspeed treatments to make them high performance sedans that can be a lot of fun to drive and offer some excitement for us to admire and love.
Mazda
Mazda Just Won’t Let Go; And We Don’t Want them To
Have you ever seen a dog with a bone? You can’t take it away from them if you want to keep all your fingers and they are extremely protective of the bone they want to eat. Mazda seems to be the same way regarding the Wankel Rotary Engine that has been used in the RX-7 and RX-8 for several years, but this engine faces a great deal of regulation restrictions among its many challenges. You might think after so many years of fighting Mazda would just give up on this engine, but we certainly don’t want them to do that at all.
Enthusiastic Normal Cars
In a world where every car has a new class and it feels manufacturers are trying hard to have vehicles that can easily fit into a variety of categories I’m not sure what a normal car is anymore. If we define a normal car as one that looks like it should be made for driving on the commute to and from work then we still have a large variety, but for the most part we all know what a normal car is. What we don’t know is that some of these cars are made to be exciting to drive and are capable of turning even the stodgiest of us into an enthusiast with a huge smile on our faces.
Steering and Why Good Feel is Important
Driving can be a pleasure and for those who understand driving and the feeling it should give you the electric power steering systems (EPS) are nearly an affront to their senses. These EPS systems are meant to give you improved fuel efficiency and make the steering overall better, but the electric motor often takes away the feel that you want to have when steering a car, especially if you are looking for some excitement to go along with your ride of fun and engagement. What exactly is steering engagement or feel and how do you achieve it?
Another Show Stopper for Tokyo
Who knew the Mazda MX-5 Miata would create such a stir. For over twenty-five years this car has prowled the planet and has been the symbol of fun offered by Mazda. What the Miata has taught us thus far is that we don’t need massive horsepower to have fun. What we do need is the right balance between horsepower and the curb weight of the vehicle in order to offer the right dynamics to be fun and agile. This synergy has finally made it way to Toyota and at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month there will be a new Toyota on the platform.
The Wrong Decade but the Right Cars
The 1980s was a very unique decade in the automotive world. While the time was mired by cars that felt underpowered and less capable than ever before because of the massive emissions regulations put on the industry there was also a great deal of awesome vehicles that become the bedrock for the vehicles we see today. The Volkswagen GTI was begun in the 80s as was the BMW 3-Series. This decade also featured such high end exotics as the Lamborghini Countach and the Ferrari Testarossa both of which adorned the walls of many a teenage boy during this decade. With the good in mind from the decade that wasn’t for the auto industry here are some of the coolest cars of the 1980s.
Competition, Even Within a Company is a Good Thing
The new Mazda MX-5 Miata has already been revealed as the next generation of the already loved roadster which includes a possibility of a turbocharged model that may be unveiled later in the generation. The new Miata is expected to be around for at least ten years, giving it a great time in service. Announcements were originally made that the engine would not be upgraded and the driving feeling of a Miata was the place attention would continue to be. At 155 horsepower that does seem to be a slight problem until you drive one, but Mazda may be ready to change its tune.