MAZDA NAMED THE MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT AUTO MANUFACTURER IN EPA REPORT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted in their most recent Light Duty Fuel Economy Trends report that Mazda Motor Corporation is the most fuel-efficient auto manufacturer in the U.S. With the highest fleet-wide adjusted fuel economy performance of 27.1 miles per gallon (MPG), and the lowest CO₂ emissions of 328, Mazda led the chart for model year (MY) 2012. 


While still retaining the fun-to-drive characteristics for which Mazda is known, the company had the second largest increase (2.1 MPG) in the report over their MY 2011 MPG (25.0). Mazda has achieved the highest fuel efficiency of any other mainstream automotive manufacturer in the industry, without offering a hybrid or electric vehicle. Mazda's unique SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY has made this level of efficiency possible. SKYACTIV is a suite of component and engineering technologies that incorporate ultra-high compression ratio gasoline engines, super-efficient manual and automatic transmissions, lightweight chassis and body components, reduced rolling resistance and low-drag body styling.

"Mazda has long had a history of doing things differently, and SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is no exception," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. "While other manufacturers have turned their attention to hybrids and electric cars, we chose to focus on perfecting the base technology used in more than 90 percent of the cars and SUVs sold today: the internal combustion engine. Through analyzing and refining this technology, as well as every other component in a modern automobile, Mazda has been able to achieve class-leading fuel economy in nearly every segment it competes in, and bring that technology – at an affordable price – to every customer."

Mazda's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY brought the company to the forefront of fuel efficiency through such vehicles as the all-new 2014 Mazda3, the 2014 Mazda6, and the 2014 CX-5. Mazda3 reaches near best-in-class fuel economy with 41 highway MPG when equipped with the i-ELOOP energy regeneration system. Mazda6 equipped with i-ELOOP achieves class- leading fuel economy with 40 highway MPG. At 35 MPG, CX-5 still retains the title of the highest highway MPG of any SUV in North America, including hybrids.

Come test drive a Mazda today at Liberty Mazda and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for further news and updates.

All-New Mazda3 Receives 2014 ALG 'Residual Value Award'

The all-new 2014 Mazda3 was today awarded a 2014 Residual Value Award for the Compact Car Segment by ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data.  The Mazda brand held steady with its overall industry ranking by again placing fifth among all brands for predicted resale value.

"We are honored to be recognized by ALG with a distinction that speaks volumes not only to the quality, dependability, reliability and value of the 2014 Mazda3 but also to the overall strength of the Mazda brand," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  "With a slew of new products in the pipeline to follow the success of our all-new SKYACTIV offerings the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5, we're excited for what the future holds."

The annual ALG Residual Value Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements for vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period.  Awards are given in 24 vehicle categories and also for the two brands with the highest overall predicted residual values among all mainstream and all premium vehicles.  This year's awards are based on 2014 model year vehicles.

"The Mazda3's combination of style, technology, fuel economy and fun-to-drive attitude makes it one of the most complete vehicles in the segment," said Eric Lyman, Vice President of Editorial, ALG.  "With modest price increases, it's poised to have the level of success that gave the first generation such incredible retention."

Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends.  Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand as well as pricing and marketing strategies present key factors that impact ALG's residual value forecast.

Previous ALG Residual Value Awards winners for Mazda were the 2012 Mazdaspeed3 (Sporty Car), 2011 CX-9 (Mid-Size Utility) and 2010 Mazda3 (Compact Car).

On sale since September, the 2014 Mazda3 starts at $16,945^[2] MSRP and is offered with two engine choices, two transmissions, two body styles (four- and five-door) and a cornucopia of features and options not expected of the compact car segment, which will keep consumers (and their pocketbooks) happily impressed. 

Completely redesigned, the 2014 Mazda3 features the full suite SKYACTIV technologies – an umbrella term for Mazda's proprietary engineering of performance-oriented, fuel-saving engine, transmission, body and chassis components.  The brand's best-selling vehicle worldwide with more than 3.5 million units sold, this third-generation model continues to defy convention with an EPA-rated 41 MPG, one of the best in the segment, as well as all-new technology with i-ACTIVSENSE safety-oriented segment-first features, the energy-conserving regenerative engine braking i-ELOOP and a savvy HMI/infotainment MAZDA CONNECT™ system.

The standard engine on i-designated trims (SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring) is the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine, which produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.  For s-designated trims, the larger SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine will be standard equipment and boasts 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm.

Fuel economy for all four-door models featuring the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 29 city/41 highway/33 combined mpg (6MT) and 30 city/41 highway/34 combined mpg (6AT).  Five-door models are EPA-rated at 29 city/40 highway/33 combined mpg with a manual transmission and 30 city/40 highway/33 combined mpg when equipped with an automatic. 

The SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine is reserved for s models, which are available only in Touring and Grand Touring trims.  At launch, the SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission will be the only transmission available, but the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual is confirmed to be offered at a later date. 

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the s sedans is 28 city/39 highway/32 combined mpg.  Five-doors are estimated to achieve 27 city/37 highway/31 combined mpg, or 28 city/38 highway/32 combined mpg with i-ELOOP.  All i and s Mazda3 vehicles deliver their fuel economies equipped with standard temporary spare tire.  

Come test drive a Mazda3 today at Liberty Mazda and don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.

Mazda6 Receives Car of the Year from Popular Mechanics

The completely redesigned 2014 Mazda6 mid-size sedan was today named "Car of the Year" by Popular Mechanics, an award-winning special interest magazine covering the best of today's technologies and beyond.  Combined with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY – the umbrella term for a host of performance-oriented, fuel-saving engine, transmission, body and chassis components – this third-generation Mazda6 features even more all-new groundbreaking Mazda-engineered technology.

"To be named 'Car of the Year' by a publication as esteemed as Popular Mechanics is as flattering as it is humbling," said Jim O'Sullivan, president & CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  "And the continued success of the 2014 Mazda6 is a testament to the brand's 'clean slate' approach, where everyone from every team – R&D and design to strategy and marketing – rolled up their proverbial sleeves to answer the question 'If we could start all over, what can we do better?' We believe in 'One Team, One Mazda' and it is a proud honor to share this accolade with the entire global Mazda family."

After a year of test driving the latest automotive offerings, PM's automotive editors and contributors judged vehicles and selected the Car of the Year for its overall excellence and their top 10 choices by segment.  The Car of the Year is the vehicle that best exemplifies qualities that are most important to Popular Mechanics readers: affordability, utility, fuel efficiency, performance, innovation and bold design.  The SKYACTIV family of engines garnered an Automotive Excellence Award last year in the "Technical Innovation" bonus category. 

"At Popular Mechanics, we love it when bold engineering and great design come together," said Jim Meigs, editor-in-chief, Popular Mechanics. "The Mazda6 really impressed us with how well it delivers so many things modern car owners want: great mileage, fun road-handling, upscale features and looks – and remarkable value."

From the global debut of the capacitor-based regenerative engine braking system i-ELOOP to the North American introductions of the front collision-detecting Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system and SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine, the 2014 Mazda6 has been the dynamic brand ambassador to shake up the mid-size segment stasis by turning its stifled amps to 11.  By offering unmatched driving capability, excellent performance, striking design, exceptional safety and best-in-class highway fuel economy (40 MPG), this four-door family sedan thrives on surpassing expectations.

Available in three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – all Mazda6 vehicles are currently fitted with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine, which can be paired with a choice of transmissions: the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic.  Featuring the lean, muscular character lines of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language, the 2014 Mazda6 touts 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. 

Shapely and sophisticated, Mazda6 also offers a best-in-class coefficient of drag as low as 0.26 (Grand Touring only) as well as an impressive EPA-rated fuel efficiency of 25 city/37 highway/29 combined MPG when equipped with the standard manual transmission.  Automatic-equipped vehicles see fuel economy increased to an EPA-estimate rating of 26 city/38 highway/30 combined.  When coupled with i-ELOOP, which is part of the Technology Package (Grand Touring only), fuel economy is a best-in-class EPA rating of 28 city/40 highway/32 combined MPG.

The SKYACTIV-D 2.2L engine is expected to go on sale in North America in late spring of 2014.  Final specifications and packaging information of the diesel engine and trim combinations will be announced closer to its on-sale date.

Named a 2013 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the all-new i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety technologies utilizes sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras to support the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions and minimizing damage, should accidents occur.  While these systems will not eliminate accidents, their intent is to minimize them and reduce the severity of a crash.  Safety features vary by trim level. 

Standard safety features for all 2014 Mazda6 models include six airbags (front, side and full side-curtain), whiplash-reducing front headrests, power-assisted ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, daytime running lights, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS), hill launch assist, a fold-away brake pedal assembly, a trunk entrapment release system, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

Touring models feature a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) as standard equipment with the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system available as part of an optional package. Grand Touring models feature BSM, RCTA, SCBS and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) as standard equipment. Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and High Beam Control (HBC) are available as part of an optional package.

On sale nationwide, the 2014 Mazda6 starts at $20,990² MSRP. Come test drive a Mazda6 today at Liberty Mazda and don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.