Spy shots of the new 2015 MX-5 Miata!

Parkway Family Mazda is excited to speculate on the fact that Mazda gave us our first insight into the technology that will underpin the all-new fourth-generation MX-5  at the 2014 New York Motor Show but the item on display wasn't the new Mazda MX-5 itself. Instead, the advanced new SKYACTIV-chassis and engine that will form the backbone of the new MX-5 was revealed. Mazda confirmed the engine will be positioned behind the front axle and closer to the car’s centre than ever before, plus the centre of gravity will be lower than previous generations – factors that should improve the handling.

The new chassis has also been engineered for “outstanding body rigidity and crashworthiness”, while the weight has been reduced by more than 100kg through the use of thinner, higher-strength steels. As a result, entry-level soft-top models are expected to weigh less than 1,050kg.

Mazda MX-5 2015: Engine Technology

This test mule pictured is likely to be using the 1750TB engine from the Alfa 4C, which could find its way under the bonnet of the new Alfa Spider. The 1.75-litre four-cylinder engine develops 237bhp and as Alfa engineers are aiming for a sub-1000kg kerbweight, the Spider could have similar performance figures to the 4C. From Mazda's point of view, a hot version of the MX-5, which would rival the Alfa Spider with the 1750TB engine isn’t likely. Mazda’s primary focus at the moment is all about weight saving and reducing CO2 emissions via the SkyActiv technology.

The MX-5 engine range is more likely to include a pair of more economical naturally-aspirated four-cylinder SKYACTIV petrol engines – one a 1.5-litre unit and the other a 2.0-litre, with around 130bhp and 165bhp respectively. A manual gearbox will continue to be offered, with an auto as an option.

Mazda, meanwhile, is also considering fitting the MX-5 with a diesel engine for the first time, but a new 130bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine featuring SkyActiv technology, is expected to be the pick of the bunch.

Mazda MX-5 2015: Design and Styling

Mazda has dropped more clues as to how its new MX-5 will look when it is unveiled later in 2014. Chief designer Peter Birtwhistle told Auto Express that it will be more masculine than the current car when we met him at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Said Birtwhistle: “If I had to describe it in one word, it’d be ‘edgy’. I think it will be a surprise for people.

“It’s a tight edgy little car that is going to appeal to a broader range of people. We know the clichés about the MX-5 as it gets older, but this will position it differently. I think it’ll attract a lot of young guys.”

The car will not share the Mazda family face seen on the Mazda 3 hatchback - it will get a unique design.

“We need to take on some of the flavor of Kodo [Mazda’s design language], but we have to ensure it is identifiable as an MX-5. It is a standalone product for us," said Birtwhistle.

“You sometimes think after three generations let’s start afresh with a clean sheet of paper. But you have a massive customer base who have a connection with the previous car, so you have to tread carefully.”

Alfa Romeo Collaboration

The venture with Alfa Romeo is organised so that the two companies can share the initial investment and boost profits. However, the Alfa Romeo Spider model that will use the same technology as the new Mazda MX-5 is not expected until the end of 2015 so the Mazda will get a clear run at the roadster market. An Abarth version of the car has also been rumoured but details of this are just as sketchy. The current MX-5 is known as the MX-5 Miata in North America and the Roadster in Japan.

Besides the basic steel structure, the Mazda MX-5 won’t share very much with the Alfa. With high-strength steels used throughout, engineers are aiming to strip at least 100kg from the current MX-5’s kerbweight, with 1,050kg the target figure.

44 Miatas engaged to spell happiness from above

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Parkway Family Mazda felt that this was a very amazing story worth sharing. We've seen all manner of ways to propose marriage, from the usual candlelit dinner to the Jumbotron at the big game. A friend of ours recently proposed with his a barbershop quartet singing backup. But this has to be a new one – and one that automotive enthusiasts would probably find even more touching than a sky-writing biplane.

A member of the Miata.net forum recently asked other MX-5 enthusiasts to help him pop the big question to his bride-to-be. He got 31 Miatas together and needed just four more, but after appealing to his fellow roadster fans, over 40 turned up in the parking lot at the local high school.

The groom-to-be runs an aerial photography business and used an unmanned drone which his girlfriend thought would be shooting some local real estate properties when it flew over the parking lot and captured the image you see above with 44 little roadsters spelling out "Marry Me?" The answer, in case you were wondering, was a resounding "Yes!" How could she not, after all, when those Mazda convertibles are just so darn adorable? Now they'll just need to figure out what they'll be driving to the chapel on the big day.

New Cars Can Save You Hundreds a Year in Fuel Costs

 Charting Fuel Economy Improvements Over Time

If you’ve been on the fence about whether to trade up to a new car, here’s a little fuel for the fire: Replacing your 10-year-old car with a new version of the same model could save you more than $600 annually in fuel costs.

While that may not amount to much more than one payment for many moderately priced models, $600 isn’t exactly pocket change, either. And combined with the added safety features, improved crash protection, up-to-date electronic connectivity, and the security of a new car warranty, the savings may be enough to help you tip the scales toward buying a new car.

It’s no secret that the overall mpg of virtually all new vehicles has been inching up over the years, thanks to more advanced engines and transmissions, low-rolling resistance tires, overall weight savings, and other factors. Likewise, horsepower and physical dimensions have grown over time.

To see how far things have come, we went looked at several  models tested about 10 to 12 years ago and compared their overall fuel economy to current versions of the same vehicles. While we saw increases in almost every case, some of the biggest boosts were in mid-sized family sedans. And of those, the four-cylinder Mazda6 was the champ, going from an average mpg of 23 overall back in 2004 to a class-leading 32 overall with the 2014 model. Based on a gas price of $4.00 per gallon for regular and 12,000 miles driven per year, that works out to an annual savings of $587 for the new Mazda.

We also saw a big boost in four-cylinder versions of the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Those increased by six and nine mpg overall, respectively, to 30 and 31 mpg. That adds up to a $633 savings for the new Altima every year and $400 for the Accord.

Obviously, if you drive less, the savings won’t be as great. But if you tend to rack up more miles every year, there’s even more reason to make a trade. And, for the record, all the vehicles in our examples were equipped with automatic transmissions.

For most larger sedans and SUVs, the savings weren’t as great. Still, trading in that old Chrysler 300 V6 for a new one could save $345 per year and moving up from a 10-year old Ford Escape to a new, more powerful model could save a substantial $642 annually.

That alone may not be reason enough to escape from your old Escape. But the $3,210 you’d save over five years could really add up, and it could be put toward yet another escape—like a trip to Hawaii.

Make & model                                  2004 mpg                                      2014 mpg

Honda Accord 4-cyl.                           24                                                   30 

Nissan Altima 4-cyl.                             22                                                   31 

Mazda6 4-cyl.                                      23                                                   32 

Toyota Camry 4-cyl.                            24                                                    27 

Toyota Avalon                                      21                                                   24 

Chevrolet Impala                                  20                                                   22 

Chrysler 300 V6                                  19                                                    22 

Honda Civic                                         29                                                   30 

Toyota Corolla                                     29                                                   32 

Nissan Sentra                                       26                                                   29 

Ford Explorer                                      16                                                    18 

Toyota Highlander                                19                                                    20 

Ford Escape (V6/4-cyl. turbo)              17                                                    22 

Honda CR-V                                        21                                                    23 

Car and Driver's 14 Most Improved Cars of 2014 Review

Parkway Family Mazda is excited to announce that Car and Driver just released its information on the 14 most  improved cars of 2014. We are particularly excited because of the great reviews and success of the Mazda brand that was covered. Mazda was fortunate enough to have 3 vehicles represented for 2014. The 2014 Mazda 3, 2014 Mazda 6, and the 2014 Mazda CX-5. The following information is the feedback on these iconic new vehicles.

Mazda 3 - Since the nameplate’s arrival in 2004, the Mazda 3 has been among the very best compacts due to its fun-loving chassis and zesty styling. The third-generation model builds on the former while also delivering tons of refinement and features for the same money charged for most of the (largely inferior) competition. The 3 appears on our 2014 10-Best cars list.

Mazda 6 - Everything we said about the Mazda 3? We’d use the term “ditto” here, but then that wouldn’t be very informative. The 6 combines a heavenly front-drive chassis and a classy interior to deliver a class-leading experience similar to that of the good-at-everything Honda Accord—except the Mazda actually stands out in a crowd. The 6’s predecessor was sportier than most mid-size cars, but always felt slightly under-cooked; today’s 10-Best-winning 6 was baked to delicious perfection.

Mazda CX-5 - If you think we’re going a bit Mazda-crazy here, we understand your concern. But given that the CX-5 shares componentry with the excellent 3 and 6 and is similarly excellent, we couldn't exclude this replacement for the thirsty CX-7 and Ford-based Tribute. This year, the CX-5 made another huge leap forward by way of its newly optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which delivers the power lacking from the standard 2.0-liter unit.

The news of these vehicle getting this sort of review, really resonates home with our engineers. It also speaks volumes in regards to the large strides that Mazda has made as an overall brand and Parkway Family Mazda could not be more proud.