Monthly Archives: August 2016

The Spirit of Mazda: Jinba Ittai!

By
Posted in mazda-salinas, Uncategorized

Cardinale Mazda 5 shutterstock_362837195

What exactly is Jinba Ittai?  It’s a very important part of the culture and foundation of Mazda’s design philosophy.  And the meaning is quite interesting.  When a horse carries a rider, there can be a unique relationship where the two actually become one.  That is the goal of current Mazda engineering and design—that the vehicle and driver become one in comfort, efficiency and beauty.

It’s probably shocking to find out that the average American spends 46 minutes in their vehicles every day.  That’s exactly what a study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the Urban Institute discovered. That adds up to nearly 280 hours either driving in a vehicle or riding in one as a passenger. Mazda’s commitment to Jinba Ittai is extremely evident in its stunning Miata MX-5. Whether using color to blend the interior and exterior design, or the focus on extreme comfort for both the passenger and driver, the MX-5 Miata provides a soothing blend of engineering and design.

The features in the Miata interior features are flawless, from instrumentation to a wide field of vision for drivers.  Engineers have put a great deal of thought into safety features, as well. It has dual front airbags, side impact airbags, side impact door beams and three point safety belts with pretensioners and force limiters.  There’s even a tire-pressure monitoring system to make sure your tire pressure is absolutely perfect.

Under the hood, the Miata MX-5 also delivers.  You get 155 hp @ 6000 rpm, 148 lb-ft torque @ 4600 rpm and a 16-valve 4-cylinder with VTT. It’s got highly responsive acceleration and a super smooth-shifting transmission.

But aside from all that, the Miata MX-5 is just a fun, sexy, head-turning ride.

The MX-5 Miata is a sports car that embraces Jinba Ittai and you’ll love every minute you drive it. Come see for yourself at Cardinale Mazda today! But fair warning—once you drive it, you won’t want to go home without it.

 

#CardinaleMazda

#MazdaSalinas

#MazdaMonterey

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

Koeru Concept Crossover From Mazda to Premiere In Frankfurt

By
Posted in mazda-salinas, Uncategorized

Cardinale Mazda 4 shutterstock_319449797

The last time Mazda revealed a new concept vehicle was way back when at the 2010 LA Auto Show.  However, that was then and at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, this will be now.  It is expected that the five-door crossover design by Mazda’s European R&D Center lead designer Luca Zollino will debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Koeru is expected to make a “bold statement in an increasingly popular and competitive segment,” account to Mazda.  It also promises that the new model will surpass existing standards and push forward with performance, overall value and efficiency.

Koeru means to go beyond or exceed in the Japanese language.

The design sketch for the Koeru looks like it will be sleek like the Mazda CX-3, instead of tall like the CX-5. However, it looks like it will be similar in size to the CX-5.  It will have the 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel SkyActiv engine from Mazda, delivering ample torque.

When will it go into production?  That remains to be seen.  But experts predict that the design cues will be seen in future crossovers before 2020.

This illustrates the commitment by Mazda to continue to offer consumers exceptional performance, technology and design for their driving pleasure.  To experience this for yourself, visit  today.

 

#MyMazda

#CertifiedPreowned

#mynewcar

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

LMP3 Engines to be Unbadged; Mazda Support Continues in Series – Part 2

By
Posted in Uncategorized

Mazda Logo

The LMP cars are not as swift as the Formula 1 cars but are the stallions of the closed wheel racing cars. The cars of this segment are one level higher than the Grand Tourers that are the rightful competitors in sport car racing.

Latest cars of the LMP are powered by electric motors to improve acceleration (hybrid engines).

Although the LMP3 engine runs on the Nissan Engine, the prototype under testing is claimed as a badging exercise, but the representatives declare that the engine is anything but a test. Engineers from Mazda are under way of developing a novel product in association with AER engineers.

Instead of adopting the same route for the LMP3 engines, the decision to go forward with the Indy Light Motors was stuck to.

Even after the name has been changed, the cars belonging to the PC2 class are set to receive devoted support from Mazda under the banner of “Mazda Road to 24” scholarship. This program happens to be the same one that pushed cars from the Prototype Lites championship to the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.

It has been a brand boost with the news of victory from Mikhal Goikhberg, Austin Versteeg and Clark Toppe. The decision to remain in the LMP racing is cemented with the hope of bringing in more such victories. Mazda vows to continue its financial support till the time it is demanded.

To check out the latest Mazda cars visit, Cardinale Mazda.

#MyMazda

#CertifiedPreowned

#mynewcar

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

LMP3 Engines to be Unbadged; Mazda Support Continues in Series – Part 1

By
Posted in Uncategorized

Mazda Logo

 

In the wake of the newest addition of the Prototype IMSA Challenge cars, the LMP3 cars, driven by Mazda, the development of the prototype receives a boost. Although there is no official record of the Mazda’s involvement in this series, the engine that powers these cars will remain unchanged.

Nissan V-8 engine will continue to power the LMP3 cars and the unbranded MZR engine from Mazda will be used for the Elan DPO2 cars. The Mazda engine cars are set to debut in the class of PC2 in 2017.

John Doonan of Mazda believes that the company’s anonymous involvement in the PC2 cars is the winning combination. Mazda seems to be the last one to arrive to this party of angel investment of racing cars. The LMP3 cars are as good as they come and the interest shown by Mazda will only help these cars become more professional. LP2 cars in terms of global appeal are high up.

In the beginning, there was a proposal of incorporating the 2.0L, MZR-R Indy Light turbocharged engines in the LMP3 cars for the IMSA but this suggestion failed as the chances of Mazda changing the global perspective was bleak.

LMP (Le Mans Prototype) is a variation of sports cars that compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans, United SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, and European Le Mans Series.

For more information, visit Cardinale Mazda.

#MyMazda

#CertifiedPreowned

#mynewcar

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

 

 

Mazda Offers A Fresh Perspective On Great Fuel Economy

By
Posted in Uncategorized

Skyactiv Cardinale Mazda

Mazda Corporation holds its promise of presenting its customers best in class performance coupled with high fuel efficiency and safety standards. On combining three essentials that customers seek while buying a car- safety, fuel efficiency and performance, the zoom-zoom strategy is simply brilliant.

Back in 2007, the claims seemed far-fetched given the state of mechanical engineering tools that were then available. Working with the revolutionary mechanical sciences to build a fuel efficient engine with a high eco-sense and performance fell flat. High performance was intimately linked to polluting engines.

Fast-forward to 2012, Mazda delivered an engine as promised with high safety and environmental performance. All credit goes to the trademark SkyActiv engine technology. Through this break-through technological marvel, fuel efficiency was boosted by 15 percent as compared to the previous models. In the performance department, torque was also increased by the same percentage.

Solely owing to the SkyActiv technology, Mazda cars score the highest EPA for performance in comparison with fuel efficiency. 2014 crowned Mazda cars as the fleet that emitted the lowest carbon dioxide levels. The cars that are set for release in 2016 fully adhere to the CAFÉ (corporate average fuel efficient) standards, which till now was dominated by the electric cars like those manufactured by Tesla.

Mazda’s innovative success is equally lauded by mechanical engineers, environmentalists and regulators from the federal department.

For more information on Mazda’s SkyActiv technology, visit Cardinale Mazda.

#CardinaleMazda

#MazdaSalinas

#MazdaMonterey

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

The Mazda MX-5 RF

By
Posted in Uncategorized

MX5 RF

For around $21000, the Mazda MX-5 RF to hit production from 2017 would probably be the most affordable and lightest Targa top coupe on the road. It looks much more expensive than its final price tag would suggest. To imbue the horizontal dynamics of the soft top into its hard top sibling, Mazda designers decided to shift the cabin backwards. However, they had to ensure that the overall volume was not compromised.

The shut lines which are very prominent in most hard top coupes have also been minimized to hide the gaps between separate body panels so that it looks like one single, flowing component. But everything may not be hunky-dory after all. Mazda has added almost 110 pounds in a car which is its lightest model and was lauded for shedding weight. The weight has also been added to the top of the car which has a significant impact on the overall driving dynamics of a car.

Since, it is a retractable top has been attached with the help of flexible moving joints, there is an argument in some corners that it has just managed to give a coupe silhouette and has added unnecessary weight without actually making any difference to the performance of the car whatsoever. However, the hall mark of a hardtop coupe which has fixed roll bars for providing more stiffness to the chassis is that it should provide a sportier feel than a soft top.

You will have to hold your breath till the autumn when Mazda would start taking orders for this car and deliveries would start from next year. But to test drive a soft top Miata, come down to the Cardinale Mazda facility.

#MyMazda

#CertifiedPreowned

#mynewcar

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

Are There Any Drawbacks To The Beautiful 2016 Mazda MX-5?

By
Posted in Uncategorized

MX5 RF

The just over 2300 pounds fourth generation Mazda Miata soft top with just 155 ponies under the bonnet had managed to trace its route back to the original 1990 first generation model. It was almost a miracle that the car with all the advanced features had managed to lose over 100 pounds from the 3rd generation model. Since, the power was restricted to a mere 155 bhp, experts believed that reduction of even a single pound meant a lot of difference to the final performance figures.

But, Mazda decided to replace the soft top with a 110 pounds hard roof top in the Miata RF. Will it be counterproductive? There are supporters on both sides of the argument. Mazda says that it was challenge to retract the top, rear window and C-pillars into the rear deck without compromising the volume of the cabin or the trunk. They have succeeded in it. Moreover, when driving with the top over the cabin, cabin noise is markedly lower. The flying buttresses, when the roof is folded, look extremely stylish. They are not just pretty but also functional. They assist in lifting the rear deck fins and after the top vanishes inside, they recline to the original position.

The production cars will probably come in both the 6speed manual and automatic options. The car is still very sporty. However, to accommodate the hard top and additional weight, Mazda engineers have tinkered with the suspension, weight distribution and also the steering to keep the car planted on the ground without being less sporty. The suspension is however, a tad stiffer than the soft top peer and there is a slight possibility that the cabin will not have the open, airy feel of the soft top.

For more information, knock on our doors at Cardinale Mazda.

#CardinaleMazda

#MazdaSalinas

#MazdaMonterey

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

 

 

The Pros and Cons of The Mazda MX-5 RF

By
Posted in Uncategorized

MX5 RF

 

Mazda has launched the Targa top MX-5 RF in March this year. The discussion has been revolved around the addition of the hard top and its impact on performance vis-à-vis the soft top version of Miata.

Most experts, including Miata purists have conceded that Mazda has managed to jack up the style quotient further with their venture into making a coupe. The 4th MX-5 is itself a very sophisticated and elegant car and making improvements in the looks without effecting major design changes is commendable and bears witness to the high standards of Mazda engineering.

 

Mazda Miata RF 4

 

Another great characteristic of the MX-5 RF is that it will have the exact same amount of trunk space that the soft top model has. Usually, hard top convertible cars have less trunk space than their counterparts. Mazda has designed the MX-5 RF in a way that drivers won’t have to make that compromise.

It is also different from the MX-5 roadster coupe which had a hard roofed dropdown top. The new RF is a more conventional coupe which allows entry of air into the cabin occasionally. The Targa-style roof can be retracted up to a speed of 6 mph and the entire process is completed within 12 seconds flat. Now that is quick!

 

Mazda Miata RF 2

 

In order to fold the roof, you have to press the folding button under the AC vent and it would start retracting in 4 steps. First, the rear deck fins are raised temporarily and the 2 separate hardtop segments along with the C-pillar and the rear windows integrates into the rear deck and disappears out of sight. Soon after, the rear lid lowers and goes back to its original position. Mazda designers claimed at the New York Motor Show that maintaining the proper 50:50 balance with the rooftop from front to back was a challenge and they have overcame it beautifully. For more updates, contact us at Cardinale Mazda.

 

 

#MyMazda

#CertifiedPreowned

#mynewcar

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mazda Miata Keeps You In Mind

By
Posted in Uncategorized

Mazda Miata

Mazda has wanted to create a true all rounder with its new Miata MX-5 roadster. It is not about beating any fat tired turbocharged, fuel guzzling monster. The latest Miata is more about control, poise and driving comfort. It also has amazing safety features. Some of its amazing equipments and features blind spot detection, emergency braking system, lane departure warning, heated steering grip and heated exterior mirrors, engine immobilizer, cruise control, traction control, tire pressure monitor, trip gauges and Mazda’s Connect Screen infotainment system.

Although the tab-like 7 inch touchscreen mounted on the front dash is highly functional and is easy to use, it also comes with a redundant rotary dial, placed on the central console. Quite a few experts have called it amateurish work from experienced Mazda designers because while shifting the stick, the dial might brush against your hand and change a radio station inadvertently! Though not all the features are available on the 2 lower trims, the Grand Touring gets all the features. It also gets leather seats. The latest Mazda MX-5 has also got an electric assist instead of a hydraulic one. Braking is precise and it takes 158 feet to come to a complete halt from a speed of 70 mph as seen in endurance tests conducted by Car and Driver.

The 2.0 liter engine has an amazing compression ratio of 13.0:1 and a bore by stroke ratio of 83.5mm×91.2mm. If you want a sport suspension, you can get one in the Club variant. It comes with limited-slip differential and Bilstein shocks. What more can a city driver want from their roadster? The base version is also rightly priced at $25,750 while the top end version is available for $32,105. This car is here to stay! For more information, call Cardinale Mazda.

#CardinaleMazda

#MazdaSalinas

#MazdaMonterey

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com

 

 

 

The Miata Has Changed But Doesn’t Compromise On Fun

By
Posted in Uncategorized

Mazda Miata

Mazda had created the first Miata with an aim to recreate the magic that the British owned Lotus Motors had created with its 2-door convertibles like the Elan. It wanted to capture the market segment in America, Canada and Europe which wanted a light and maneuverable car which could summon a few hundred ponies at the drop of a hat. The car had a small wheelbase and had simple mechanics while still being modern and beautiful to look at. Its 1.6 litter, inline 4 manual transmission engine could produce 115 bhp power @6500 rpm and 100 ft-lb of torque @5500 rpm. The stick was buttery smooth and perfectly positioned inside the compact cabin which also had ergonomically designed seats.

The latest MX-5 closely resembles its first gen “forefather”. It is now available in 1.5 litter as well as 2.0 liter inline 4 engine specifications and offers both manual and automatic transmission options. It is available in three trim options- the base Sport model, the Club and the top end Grand Touring Model. It can produce 155bhp power @ 6000 rpm and 148ft-lb torque @ 4600 rpm. The car can go from 0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds and complete 1/4th mile in 14.6 seconds which are very impressive despite not being ballistic.

It also has amazing fuel economy numbers offering 27mpg in the city and 34mpg on highways. The trunk is comparatively smaller than its competitors and stands at 4.6 cu.ft. There are a number of additional packages available that can improve the performance and make it a one of its kind driving experience. You can keep this well-behaved car for as long as you like.

If you want to test drive a 2016 Miata, talk to the agents at Cardinale Mazda today.

#MyMazda

#CertifiedPreowned

#mynewcar

Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com