Back To School with Mazda Motorsports

 It’s back-to-school time for school kids across the county and the acclaimed R.A.C.E. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education outreach program is back in action. Parkway Family Mazda could not be more proud of this program launched by Mazda in January, the Racing Accelerates Creative Education (R.A.C.E.) outreach program has now positively impacted more than 10,000 middle and high school students. To date, there have been 22 interactive presentations at 12 schools local to the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship events.

“This STEM program has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve done at Mazda Motorsports,” enthused John Doonan, Director, Mazda Motorsports and driving force behind Mazda’s R.A.C.E. STEM initiative. “We’re happy to report that our future is in good hands as the students that we’ve been fortunate enough to interact with are demonstrating the drive, initiative and curiosity that it takes to convert STEM education into global innovation.”

Earlier this week over 1,400 students from James Bowie High School and Akins High School in Austin experienced Mazda’s STEM presentation.  Thanks to the STEM advocates and leadership team at Circuit of the Americas, each student was given a free race ticket for this weekend’s race.

“Through the track promoter ticket giveaways, we’ve been able to bring students to the race events and take them behind the curtain to show how Mazda uses STEM in every aspect of our racing and engineering programs,” explained Joel Miller, Mazda factory driver, race team degreed engineer, and Mazda’s featured speaker at the schools. “We’re grateful to those promoters that have supported the program, because together, we’ve created not only new sports car racing fans, but we’ve made the connection between the classroom and the careers in motorsports. It’s fantastic.”

Mazda’s 2014 STEM campaign will close out with two more presentations in advance of the Road Atlanta Petit Le Mans race. Both will be held at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga. on September 30. Plans for the 2015 R.A.C.E. STEM schedule are underway.

2015 Mazda3 finally pairs 6-speed manual with larger engine

Parkway Family Mazda knows that with all of the hype and anticipation surrounding the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Japanese brand was able to sneak another driver-oriented model into its lineup. The company's spec page for the 2015 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan have been updated to list the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder as finally being available with a six-speed manual transmission, in addition to the previous six-speed automatic. The automaker had promised the row-your-own gearbox with the bigger engine back when it first announced the new Mazda3, but it waited a model year to actually put the combo on sale.

According to Mazda's specs, the manual gearbox trims 40 pounds off of a hatchback or 54 pounds off of a sedan in s Touring and s Grand Touring trims. However, shedding that weight doesn't necessarily boost fuel economy. The six-speed hatch is rated at 26 miles per gallon city and 35 mpg highway, compared to 27/37 for the automatic. The manual sedan is rated at 25/37 city/highway mpg, versus 28/39 with the auto. Buyers can save a little money by opting for the manual, though. Regardless of body style, it's about $1,050 cheaper than the automatic. There are two, other minor 2015 model year changes, as well. The Mazda Connect infotainment system and rear camera are now standard on the i Touring model, and all buyers can get Mazda Connect upgraded to include navigation for $399.95 from dealers, if they don't already have nav.

Autoblog reached out to Mazda and learned that the 2.5L 6MT models started hitting dealers in August. The 2.5 wasn't initially available with the stick because, "We had to prioritize engineering resources and the 2.5L 6MT was not a high priority combination. Globally, smaller engines are preferred in terms of sales," a Mazda spokesperson explained via email. The automaker also notes that Austrailia will probably be the only other market outside of North America to get the six-speed gearbox with the larger engine.

Mazda To Launch New RX-7 And RX-9 By 2020

Parkway Family Mazda realizes that while there have been plenty of reports on the potential return of a rotary-powered sports car at Mazda, the latest has got to be the most ambitious yet. Motoring claims Mazda could launch not one but two rotary sports cars within the next several years, giving the automaker a three-tiered sports car lineup (when you include the MX-5 Miata) that could rival similar sports car lineups talked about by the likes of Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

The Australian publication is reporting that Mazda’s recent record profit ($1.88 billion for the year ending March 31, 2014) will be used to boost R&D spending, presumably in the area of sports car development.

In just a couple of weeks we’ll see the covers come off the all-new 2016 MX-5 Miata, and this will reportedly be followed by a new RX-7 in 2017. The date is important as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Mazda Cosmo Sport, Mazda’s first rotary-powered car and the first volume production car to feature such an engine.

Then, in 2020, with all eyes on Japan for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mazda will reportedly launch a new RX-9 halo sports car. The year is also a significant one for Mazda as it marks the automaker’s centenary.

"This is a very fantastic idea, 2017, [for] a new rotary," Mazda global sales and marketing chief Yasuhiro Aoyama told Motoring when quizzed about the possibility of a new rotary sports car arriving in 2017. "We celebrate the anniversary of rotary in 2017—then 2020 is the Olympics in Tokyo and the 100th anniversary of Mazda."

No details about the new sports cars were revealed, although the flexibility of the 2016 MX-5 Miata’s new SkyActiv chassis is mentioned. The last we heard, the new RX-7 would be powered by Mazda’s still-in-development 16X rotary engine and produce around 300 horsepower. The same engine has also been tipped for the RX-9 but with output boosted further by an electrically-driven turbocharger. Hybrid technology is also said to be a possibility for the RX-9, allowing it to keep up in the technology front with new hybrid sports cars from rival brands.

Introducing the All-New Mazda Miata!

The sheets are off the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, but many secrets remain.

Parkway Family Mazda could not be more proud of the Miata. It has set world records and has always been an iconic staple in the Mazda brand. The all-new car marks the fourth generation of the best-selling two-seat roadster of all time, with over 940,000 sold worldwide since 1989.

The car remains instantly recognizable as a Miata, but features the automaker’s new “Kodo” design language with sculpted bodywork, sharp edges, trim headlights and a five-sided grille. Under its very low hood is a four-cylinder engine mounted behind the front axle to help provide a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

Mazda has not yet said how large or powerful that motor is, or exactly how much the car weighs, except that it is at least 220 pounds lighter than the current model, which would put it at no more than 2260 pounds and make it one of the lightest cars sold in the United States.

Aluminum bodywork and a new soft top design help trim the weight. Mazda has not confirmed if a retractable hardtop model will continue to be available, but despite the weight loss, the size of the cabin remains the same.

The MX-5 Miata will feature six speed manual and automatic transmission options, both sending power to the rear wheels, of course. Pedals and controls are said to be optimally placed for comfort and performance, and the tachometer is positioned front and center behind the steering wheel.

For the first time, steering is electrically assisted, but the front suspension retains a double-wishbone design, similar to most racing cars.

More details are expected to be announced at the Paris Motor Show in October, and the MX-5 Miata should go on sale sometime next year.