Open-Top Ponder: 2001 Porsche Boxster or new Mazda MX5?

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This is one of those shootout that was hatched out-of-the-blue following a friendly request from the guy you see above. He has been a true roadster fan - who has contemplated a Rover MGF at one point - and probably still is but is caught in a dilemma between a four dour sedan practicality (e.g. Mercedes-Benz W204 C-Class) and a strictly 2-seater drop-top.

Since both of these cars are price circa RM200k, they make a nice comparo: albeit one is almost a decade old and the other one being brand new!



The Mazda is no pushover despite its diminutive 2.0L powerplant. In fact, I was truly impressed with its 50:50 weight distribution affording it superb chassis balance. Its steering is nicely quick and accurate too, having a longitudinal front engine paired with rear wheel drive. driving the iconic Mazda Miata is a revelation reminiscent much of a BMW in character. Well maybe this is where a Japanese car (thus far) gets closest to BMW in driving dynamics. the suspension and chassis strength are superb, coping up brilliantly even if you couldn't brake in time for a speed hump. No issues of bottoming out or rippling motion over bad surfaces.



I would not comment much on the Boxster 2.7 except for its superb squatting stability you get around corners and the inimitable Boxer-6 burble and howl. Anything more than that, I'd be accused of boasting about my own ride.




After doing this 'shootout', it made me wondered why I didn't go for a new MX5 instead. The 22-second 'transformer' roof's definitely more secure and provides better insulation all around since it is after all a metal hardtop. Hmmm...Then again, my red little Boxster has recently transformed into a Cayman (or a Coxster as Jeremy Clarkson calls it!) of late :)

Mazda gets new distributor in Malaysia

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd (CCB) has given up yet another automotive franchise � with its previous Peugeot distributorship having ended by end-2007 � this time surrendering the Mazda brand. BerMaz Motor Sdn Bhd, a unit of Berjaya Corporation will acquire Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd�s wholly-owned current Mazda�s franchise holder, Hercules Automotive Engineers Sdn Bhd, for RM16.8million.

BerMaz Motor has sealed a 3 years distribution agreement with Mazda Motor Co. which will take effect as of 1st of April 2008. Berjaya Corp is currently involved with the sole distributorship of Skoda brand and has future prospect set on China�s Changan auto vehicles in Malaysia. With such acquisition, Bermaz Motor Sdn. Bhd. will officially take over all of Mazda�s automotive business in Malaysia by H2 2008.

You may want to read this:

http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/10/ccb-gives-up-peugeot-in-malaysia.html

Colour coded Mazda2 (Demio): Cute and Funky!

Mazda Motor Co. will showcase their dimunitive Demio aka Mazda2 hatchback in colourful array at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon next month (January).

Three special editions with bright exterior paints of either metallic pink, blue and green (as pictured below) - with matching highlights on the seats, door trim, leather steering wheel, center console and gear lever surround - are very flattering to the Mazda2's fluid and tidy lines.

Related post:

http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-mazda2-sedan.html

Mazda5 gets facelifted for 2008

One of the most tidy-looking midi-MPV around, the Mazda5 will undergo a mid-life update to keep it fresh ahead for 2008 and beyond. The MRZ 2.0-litre petrol engine has been completely revised and now has drive-by-wire throttle and sequential variable valve timing (S-VT), much like the current (facelifted) Mazda6 2.0L. The auto �box will have an extra cog with the updating exercise making it a 5-speed torque converter. According to Mazda, the new motor uses 4 percent less fuel than the outgoing 2.0L 4-pot. The facelifted MPV also features new front dampers and a refined suspension along with a newly optimized brake booster.

The 2008 Mazda5 will continue to have bilateral power sliding rear doors that open and close in less than five seconds and stop automatically if obstructed. They can be operated via a button near the driver�s seat, by tugging the door handles or with the remote control key.

Inside, the Mazda5 facelift features a new navigation and audio systems while the interior is claimed to be quieter - and more comfortable - thanks to the new multi-resonator located around the fresh air intake duct that lowers engine noise, strengthened wheel rims and Thinsulate insulation sheeting newly added to the roof liner to reduce road noise.



The 'new' Mazda5 is expected sometime Q2 2008 in Malaysia, to be fully imported from Japan and officially distributed by Cycle and Carriage Bintang (CCB).

New Mazda CX-9 due in Q1 2008

According to a reliable source, franchise holder and sole distributor for Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, Cycle & Carriage Bintang (CCB) will launch the new CX-9 sometime Q1 2008. Rather surprisingly, this will take precedence over the smaller CX-7, which was actually planned for introduction this year.

Although similar in appearance to CX-7, the full-size 7-seater CX-9 hardly share much of the younger sibling�s platform components. For one, it will be powered by a 3.7L V6 capable of 273hp and 366Nm of torque. A 6-speed automatic transfers torque to all four wheels on demand (4WD). Even with the third-row of seats up, the boot space is still a generous 487 litre, a figure that belittle most MPVs out there.

To be fully-imported from (Hiroshima) Japan, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 will compete in the luxury SUV segment with the likes of Lexus RX350 and Volkswagen Touareg 3.6 V6. Expect competitive pricing, the insider added.

Related post:

http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/01/coming-soon-mazda-cx-7.html

All-New Mazda6 Sedan, Wagon and Liftback for 2008

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The all-new Mazda6 which Mazda Motor Co. will unveil at the Frankfurt International Motorshow 2007 looks to be sporty and lithe, and is expected to have shed some kerb weight thus claimed to be more fuel efficient along with lower CO2 emission. No power figures are available at posting time. However, the scooped images revealed that the all-new Mazda6 will be offered in 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon and liftback variants.

Related post:
http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/08/all-new-mazda6-due-in-2008.html

Mazda's Rotary Engine 40th Anniversary: RX-8 Limited Edition

To commemorate 40 years of Mazda�s rotary engine vehicles sold globally, Mazda Motor Corporation has commenced sales of a limited edition model Mazda RX-8 throughout Japan called the RX-8 Rotary Engine 40th Anniversary edition.

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In 1967, Mazda�s first vehicle powered by a rotary engine, the Cosmo Sport (known as the 110S overseas) was introdiced to the world. Since then, Mazda has preservered to make and sell various rotary engine-powered cars, most notably the Familia Rotary Coupe (known as the R100 overseas), the Savanna (RX-3), RX-7, and Eunos Cosmo. Currently, Mazda is working on technical improvements in fuel economy and environmental performance for its rotary engines. Mazda also intends to advance the potential of the hydrogen rotary engine as part of its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which was announced in March 2007.





The RX-8 �Rotary Engine 40th Anniversary� model is based on the RX-8 Type S (six-speed manual transmission) and the Type E (six-speed automatic transmission) model grades. The interior is designed to evoke the Cosmo Sport heritage and includes exclusive black genuine leather and light silver ALCANTARA combination seat covers. The exclusive Marble White body color and special limited edition badges mounted on the side panels are perfectly suited to commemorate the 40th year of Mazda�s rotary engine vehicle sales. Special equipment - including exclusive Bilstein dampers and a urethane foam-filled front suspension cross member - has been fitted for a higher quality ride and better performance.

On a related note, a reliable source at Cycle & Carriage Bintang (CCB) has indicated that the franchise holder and sole distributor for Mazda'a vehicle in Malaysia will possibly introduce the 2008 model RX-8 by H2 2008. Apparently, Mazda Motor Corp.'s R&D engineers in Japan are concerned about our petrol quality for its RENESIS twin-rotor engine (much like LEXUS Japan engineers initially).