Although Mazda hasn’t yet experienced any of the unintended acceleration complaints recently experienced at Toyota, the manufacturer has today announced that it will install a brake override system on all future models as a precautionary step.
Toyota recently announced it will install the system on all its models from 2011 onward following two recent safety recalls involving nearly 9 million vehicles around the globe. The Mazda system will cut power to the engine in the event the vehicle senses both application of the brake and throttle pedals at the same time. Mazda have not yet offered a date for the system’s introduction. Some rival manufacturers already feature a form of the brake override system on certain models including Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Volkswagen. It is reported that Honda, Suzuki and Mitsubishi are also considering adopting a version of the system. The news comes as the US government considers plans to make the technology mandatory on all vehicles sold there within the next two to three years. So far, there has been no talk of similar legislation being introduced in Australia.
Mazda Kabura Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ikuo Maeda, Mazda's design overlord, designed the soon-to-be-Stateside Mazda2. He also penned the Mazda RX-8, following quite literally the path his father laid before him: Maeda's father created the original Mazda RX-7. Now Maeda wants to bring the RX-7 back to life, saying "I do have a strong yearning to revive the RX-7 during my tenure."
Even though many enthusiasts would like nothing more than for Mazda to tap that root, we have heard that other Mazda officials queried on the subject poo-pooed the idea, asking "Why go backwards?" If we were to answer, we'd say "Because things were awesome back then. Except... [Read More]
2010 Mazda6 - Click above for high-res image gallery
As expected, Mazda rolled out a (very) slightly freshened version of its midsize Mazda6 sedan this week at the Geneva Motor Show. Of course, we pointed our camera lenses in its general direction to snap off this series of live images for your viewing pleasure. Remember that this car is known as the Atenza in its home market of Japan.
Note the reworked fascia that includes a more sharply defined five-point grille opening flanked by larger air intakes that include small round fog lights. Out back, the taillight... [Read More]
It's hard to imagine that the MX-5 (Miata) has been around for 20 years, but time flies when you're carving up canyon roads in a nimble two-door sports car. Mazda has made quite a hoopla about the car's 20th anniversary, bringing out some of the best concept and specialty versions at the Chicago Auto Show, throwing a huge party for... [Read More]
