Starting in 2011, Mazda’s new products will be lighter, more compact and use smaller engines. The announcement comes from Mazda North America product boss Robert Davis, who specifically said that all new products will weight at least 220 lbs less than their predecessors. The decision is part of Mazda’s initiative to improve fuel economy and Davis says the reduction in weight will lead to a fuel economy improvement of anywhere from three to five percent.

While successive products have grown in size over the year, much of the added weight is due to lager wheels and tires as well as more complex safety equipment, said Davis.

To meet the 220 lb goal, new Mazdas will use lighter materials. That doesn’t mean, however, that the next Mazda3 will be sporting carbon fiber body panels, as Davis specifically said that level of engineering just doesn’t fit the Mazda cost structure. Instead, look for the use of more aluminum as well as smaller chassis overall. The size of future Mazda products should shrink with much of the space being cut up front where new smaller engines are expected to take the place of Mazda’s current lineup of powerplants.

More: HEADLINE: Report: Mazda to Cut Vehicle Weights by 220 Pounds in 2011 on AutoGuide.com

Mazda has chosen the LA Auto Show as the venue to introduce North Americans to its sub-compact Mazda2. Based on the same architecture as the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta, Mazda will be competing with Ford in this segment, which is already populated by vehicles like the Honda fit, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent.

Currently sold in 3-door and 5-door hatchback form overseas, it is not clear if both versions will be available in North America, or if Mazda (like Ford) will deliver a sedan version. Also unclear is what sort of engine will power the car. In Europe and Japan, the 2 comes with either a 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, with the larger engine making 101-hp. That output number seems too low for U.S. customers and would be less than any of its competition. Even overseas, the Fiesta can be had with a 119-hp motor.

The Mazda2 is, however, incredibly light (weighing just 2,100 lbs in base trim), which could help it deliver ideal performance. However, as we've seen with cars like the Mazda3, Mazda often prefers to use a larger displacement engine, helping make sure it delivers on its "Zoom-zoom" tag line.

What we can be sure of is that the 2, like the rest of the Mazda lineup, will get a sporty design and high quality materials inside.

AutoGuide's live coverage of the LA Auto Show starts December 2nd.

More: LA Preview: 2011 Mazda2 Set for North American Debut Next Month on AutoGuide.com

Held each year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the SEMA Show is an industry event for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association.

Tuners and parts suppliers from across the industry and even from the realm of motorsports come to show off their wares, usually displayed on some sort of eye-catching highly-modified vehicle - be it a muscle car, hot rod or sport compact car.

And let's not forget the increasing presence of mainstream manufacturers like Hyundai, Scion, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler and Dodge. Major areas of interest at SEMA include Racing and Performance, Wheels and Tires, as well as Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road vehicles.

For more check out AutoGuide's live SEMA Show coverage here!

For the 2009 SEMA Show Mazda is playing it low key, but that doesn't mean the two vehicles on display are any less cool. Sure there aren't LCD screens galore, nor is there any 600-hp twin-turbo V8 under the hood, but Mazda's two modified 3 models are clean and performance oriented – just the way enthusiasts like them.

Both cars get a Crystal White Pearl paint job with some faded gray graphics, reminiscent of the style first shown on the Mazda 787B that won Le Mans in 1991. Many of the remaining exterior details get black paint, including the grille inserts, side mirrors, fog lamp bezels and the roof. The front headlamps also get a black treatment. Then both cars have been outfitted with a set of 19×8-inch forged aluminum wheels straight off the RX-8 with a set of 225/40/19 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires.

The Mazda3s with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder was then shipped over to Mazda's World Challenge racing partner Tri-Point, which installed the company's turbo kit to boost power to 250-h thanks to a Garrett GT2871R turbo.

The front brakes have been upgraded to those of the MazdaSpeed3, with rear brakes coming from the Mazda5. Suspension duties were outsourced to KW, with a Tri-Point rear stabilizer bar.

With the MazdaSpeed3 already finely tuned from the factory, only an AEM air intake was added for a gain of 20-hp. Along with the same exterior changes and wheels, a KW suspension was also added but with new suspension mounts for camber adjustability. The brakes were also upgraded to Stoptech units – the same used on the World Challenge cars.

We'll be sure to track these cars down at the SEMA Show and bring you more photos.

More: SEMA 2009: Mazda to Show Custom MazdaSpeed3 and Turbo Mazda3s in Vegas on AutoGuide.com

Held each year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the SEMA Show is an industry event for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association.

Tuners and parts suppliers from across the industry and even from the realm of motorsports come to show off their wares, usually displayed on some sort of eye-catching highly-modified vehicle - be it a muscle car, hot rod or sport compact car.

And let's not forget the increasing presence of mainstream manufacturers like Hyundai, Scion, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler and Dodge. Major areas of interest at SEMA include Racing and Performance, Wheels and Tires, as well as Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road vehicles.

More: SEMA Show Preview 2009 on AutoGuide.com

My journey with my mx6 began in 1997. But first a little pre history. My very first actual car, as in one I didn't share with my family, at the time was a 1983 626 Hatchback(non turbo) but only kept this for a year but it stayed in the family. Next came my my 1986 626 GT Coupe, for those not familiar with that car, it is the 2 door turbo coupe. I absolutely loved that car. I kept it for quite long time but decided to part with it as the mileage got on the high side(280k) but it was still running strong on the original motor/tranny and no oil burning or anything like that but it was time to move on. I was pretty sad when she was gone and took me a long time to decide what to buy. Just to avoid prolonging the pre history part too long in 1996 I ended up with a 1993 626 ES Cronos(top of the line baby!!) but it was automatic and man was I disappointed in the performance. I still liked the car alot because of the luxury feel and smooth feel so I tried to put up with it but just could not deal with its snail like characteristics and sold it to a family member.

Now I knew what car I was wanting because when I had the 1993 626 cronos my girlfriend at the time had bought an automatic 1989 MX6 TURBO!!! and it felt so damn quick especially compared to my cronos so my decision was made. Now I wanted a 1992 model since it was the newest of that bodystyle I could get. Little did I know the 1992 was gonna be next to impossible to find. In my time of looking which was about 4-6 months I came across only 3 and remember this was in 1997 and still. Again to shorten things a bit, I narrowed it to 2. A silver and a red 1992 mx6 gt turbo. I test drove both and loved both. The silver was lower mileage and much more money. The red was fairly low mileage and a bit lower in price but it
wasn't even just the price that made the decision. The red one actually felt alot faster so it was a done deal with a price tag of $6800 plus tax(it was from a dealer).

So mid 1997 I brought home my shiny red 1992 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo with ~100k on the odometer and completely stock to boot. So the very next week the modicifcations began. In the first month of owning the car the following were done. First, it was lowered 1.3 inches on eibachs and I kept the Auto Adjustable Suspension which are still on there and working to this day. Second I did a cat back 2.5inch exhaust and high flow muffler and upgraded open air K&N air filter. The next month I had the windows tinted. Next I had two 12 inch Cerwin Vegas in dual ported box(1000 watts total) with Sony Amp installed. At the same time I had an alarm keyless entry/remote starter installed. The following month I had my custom digital dash work done and as far as I know I am the only one with this cluster in an mx6 to date. Winter now arriving the modding took a break and though I regret this now I drove the car that winter and every winter since.
Spring seemed to take forever to arrive but then there it was and the plans were to continue. During the winter I planned out the repaint of the car as I wasn't a big fan of the red. Also researched and looked for body kits during the winter and found only the Erebuni Corp body kit and though the picture of the car they had on the site was less than flattering I took the risk to pick it up because my ego said I could pull it off better. So I ordered it and car was off to the shop to be transformed. After what seemed like an eternity there she was, from red to custom green with white pearls and now
with the Erebuni body kit all around. To say I was overjoyed with the results would be an understatement. It was amazing! My only disappointment at the time was that I was starting to run a little low on funds and couldn't manage some rims at the same time.

It wasn't all joy and fun though. Shortly after the repaint and kit I ran into a transmission issue. I would get stuck in 5th gear and eventually had to have work done and the clutch replaced. Unfortunately I went to a crook and had to have the clutch replaced again just a few months later after spending a boat load to fix it the first time. I turned this into a positive by using the opportunity to upgrade the clutch. Thankfully the second job, done by another person of course, turned out perfect and everthing was great again. But not for long. About a year later the turbo started making a high pitch sound under boost. To make a long story short I didn't know much about what to do with it so I had a shop rebuild the stock turbo and the sad part is it cost as much as what a dual ball bearing turbo cost today (if I knew then what I know now). So after shelling out another load of money it was back again. Things were going good so I decided to finally get some rims after getting sick of seeing the stock rims with the body kit. As with everything
else I was extremely picky with what rim style to get but eventually settled onn the 17inch Katana vr5 in Hyper silver finish with polished lip wrapped in Khumo 712 supra ecsta z rated rubber. These were amazing in regard to grip and handling over my 15's I had on prior not to mention the vast improvement in looks.

After the rims the look was pretty much complete so no mods were done for a period of time. But also then I started itching again so I redid my exhaust system to 3inch mandrel bent from the turbo back. Installed a dual stage boost controller, and also added a short throw shifter. I then added some denso iridium spark plugs and MSD 8.8mm low resistance wires. This was the first time I turned up the boost(about 6 years ago) so I added a boost guage and narrowband afr meter which was shortly replaced with an AEM wideband unit.

Running a max of 15psi on the stock turbo with these mods kept me happy for a few years but then another opportunity for more came up. My buddy was about to upgrade from his tbird hybrid turbo so I picked it up and this was quite the difference. It was a whole new car. I also added an EGT probe with digital guage. Running 12psi low and 16psi high boost on the tbird the car is a monster and as strange as it is, it keeps up with cars with bigger turbos and this is pretty much where the car stands now. I haven't dynoed it but my buddy did when he had the tbird and he got approx. 215whp
@17psi but he had an inferior exhaust set up to mine and my engine was always a lil healthier so I'm thinking I'm around 220-225whp at about the same psi cause this thing is a terror for such a small turbo. Could also have something to so with the estimated 270 WTQ. I did leave out a few small mods but you can always see a full list by following the link on my website(planetcn.com) to my mx6 sub-site.

I picked this car for a few reason one main one being because I wanted something unique and I added to the unique factor by going after the 1992 year model which are very very rare and also adding the Erebuni body kit. Those coupled with many of the other one off modifications I've done I feel I've accomplished the unique one of a kind factor and then some. It still
turns heads and peaks the interest of many and I never grow tired of that.


This car has been my pride and joy(and source of misery and stress too) for the last 12 plus years but overall I absolutely love this car. The minute I'm back in the driver seat and off for a crusie or hard run I instantly realize why I put up with the hardhsips and why I loved it so much and still do now and always will have love for it.

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Mazda's design boss is working hard to convince company executives to build a successor to the RX-7. He has even gone so far as to create design sketches for the next generation sports car.

In an interview wit the U.K.'s AutoCar, Ikuo Maeda said that the car would be a two-seater and like it's predecessors, it would be powered by a rotary engine.

Mazda has been without a halo car since the third generation vehicle ceased production in 2002. The RX-8 was brought to market shortly thereafter, but as a significantly more pedestrian sports car.

AutoCar suggests that if Madea is successful we should expect a concept next year. Much like the rest of Mazda's lineup it will probably have a more progressive design – hopefully along the lines of the Furai concept, pictured above.

More: Report: Mazda Design Boss Pushing for New RX-7 on AutoGuide.com