rx8drivers

Mazda to Overhaul U.S. Dealers to Raise Market Share

Mazda Motor Corp. and others said they are rebuilding their U.S. dealer networks to improve market share from last year's combined 3.4 percent. Mazda said it will convert half of 700 dealers into exclusive sellers of its brand by the end of 2006.

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Mazda's 3+1 concept would be stand-alone product

Mazda is showing this Kabura front-engined, rear drive layout sports coupe concept at this week's Detroit Motor Show.

Replacing the typical 2+2 layout is a 3+1 seating arrangement which presents a new interior concept giving greater passenger comfort, compared to a traditional coupe, without increasing weight or size. All passenger seats fold flat to provide storage space.

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Mazda debuts Kabura Sports Coupe Concept

Mazda has released its first official photos of the Kabura concept's premiere at NAIAS. It is larger than the Miata, but smaller than the RX-8. It is front engine, rear wheel drive and has something that Mazda calls a "3 1" layout (3 seats across in front, with a single seat behind) in place of the normal 2+2 layout. .

The car is strictly a concept. Unfortunately, there are no plans at this time to go into production.

You can click on any of the photos to see a larger image.

The 2006 RX-8

Mazda has made one significant change for 2006: the RX-8 equipped with an automatic transmission gets a 15-horsepower bump to 212 hp this year and the automatic itself is now six speeds rather than four.

Broadband Internet and even MSN TV in your Auto

KVH Industries Inc. and Microsoft Corp. rolled out an agreement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to bring the MSN TV service to consumers traveling in cars, trucks, RVs and boats throughout the United States.

KVH's Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service, a customized version of the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, will provide in-motion access to web browsing, Microsoft Windows Media Player, MSN Mail and MSN Messenger, digital photo viewing, MSN Video, and MSN Radio with two-way connections made possible by broadband EVDO cellular services.

44th Rolex 24 at Daytona

The 2006 North American racing season gets underway this weekend, as champions from sports car, NASCAR and open-wheel racing will converge at Daytona International Speedway from January 5-7 in preparation for the 44th Rolex 24 At Daytona, the opening round and the crown jewel of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve.

Mazda Announces December 2005 and Year-End Sales

Mazda North American Operations has released sales figures for December 2005. Sales of the RX-8 declined 27% over the same month last year and the total RX-8 sales in 2005 were down 38% over 2004.

Full details are available here.

Ultimate (?) speaker system for RX-8

Just look at the picture. No other explanation required.

New Mazda Cup series announced

Dec. 30, 2005 -- SCCA Pro Racing announced today six of the eight races that will make up the inaugural season of the SCCA Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Hankook, including events in conjunction with Grand-American, CASCAR and Champ Car.

Scotland is happy hunting ground for Mazda

Scotland consolidated its role as Mazda's leading UK area for retail and overall sales during 2005 as its dealership network north of the border grows in strength and depth.

Jeremy Thomson, sales director of Mazda Motors UK, said: "The Mazda RX-8's success perhaps shows that Scotland's superb driving roads are assets when selling sports cars."

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