Mazda CX 9

The Mazda CX9 together with its little sibling CX7, has been a big move for Mazda into a new segment. With many common Ford underpinnings, the CX9 thankfully remains unique, retaining its Mazda DNA instead of being forced to be a re-badged Ford Derivative much in line with CM philosophies for its Suzuki brand at the time.

Of course the Mazda design language has evolved since the CX9 first came out, but we were nicely surprised how well this design still maintains its modernity. Largely due to lack of gimmicky design elements, but rather relying on a very dynamic shape, executed well and with much care for longevity, the CX9 remains a modern car.
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2009 Mazda3

By Cor Steenstra, Photography Christopher Jones

The new Mazda3 shows the new design DNA that Mazda adopted under direction of Laurens van de Acker.. who left a few months ago to take up Patrick LeQuement’s position at Renault in France later this year. A good design DNA should not go to waste, and what we were shown here on a relatively small car lets us hope that Mazda sticks with this direction for a while and manages to massage it to perfection.

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2009 Mazda 6 S Grand Touring Design Evaluation

Story and photos by Chris Jones

In 2008 I had the pleasure if driving a 2008 Mazda 6 as a rental car. I had it for a month. It was a base model and didn’t have an auxiliary for my Ipod. I normally decline cars that don’t have this feature, especially when renting for so long. I’m not a big fan of everyday radio stations. The Mazda 6 was so much fun to drive, that I couldn’t bear to return it. I was very impressed with how it cornered. Combine that with the manual shift mode and let the fun begin.

Now enter the 2009 Mazda 6 S Grand Touring. Much better than the base model rental I drove last year. 2009 brings change to the 6. It has been redesigned to fit Mazda’s new design DNA. It’s much more sculptural than before. Front end cues are sleeker and give the car a definite feel of motion. The lit Interior display of blue and orange is an eye pleaser. Mazda’s claims of bigger, faster, smarter are certainly true. The overall size has increased. There is an extra 4.5” added to the wheelbase and width has gone from 70.1” to 72.4”. This makes for a slight increase in interior as well as luggage space.
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Even More Moves: General manager mazda Design laurens van den Acker Leaves on April 10

Fresh on the heels of the news of Steve Mattin leaving Volvo for an as yet unknown destination, being replaced by his Volvo Predecessor Peter Horbury, who in turn will be replaced within Ford by Moray Callum (Pheeewww. what a lot of info in one sentence), comes word that Mazda’s General manager Design Division Laurens van den Acker will leave his function within Mazda on April 10.

We spoke with Laurens who said that he had a fantastic time at Mazda working with a superb team, and that further anouncements would be made on April 10.

Stay tuned!

Mazda Launches Freshened Roadster (MX5) in Japan

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of the freshened Mazda Roadster (known as the MX-5 overseas) into the Japanese market. Mazda’s updated iconic lightweight, open-top sports car goes on sale today (December 9, 2008) at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (including consumption tax) range from 2,330,000 to 2,600,000 yen for the soft top models, and from 2,680,000 to 2,950,000 yen for the Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) models that feature Mazda’s groundbreaking electric roof system.

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