Mazda’s adding a new clean diesel to the ever popular Mazda 6 family sedan. The new CRTD is based on the standard 2.0L petrol, but only gains 6 kg despite turbocharging and a bevy of improvements. The 136KW(185HP), 400nm motor promises to be an exercise in torque steer for the light sedan, but owners will be smiling with an impressive fuel economy of 5.6L/100kms.  The new CRTD will be sent first to Europe, and it remains to be seen if motor will arrive in Australia.

Mazda Develops new Clean Diesel Engine with Improved Output and Environmental Performance

As a result, the new catalyst mechanism reduces the amount of fuel required to burn off the particulates (soot). This improves the overall fuel economy, and results in lower CO2 emissions and cleaner exhaust gases.

[Source: Mazda]

Popularity: 3% [?]

To all interstate and local Adelaide Japanese car lovers, a new event is on the horizon! Here’s the low down, straight from the horses mouth:

What is All Japan Day?

Sick and tired of car shows that spend so much time promoting themselves that they’ve forgotten all about the cars?

So was the All Japan Day organising committee! We decided to band together and create a simple event that ‘got back to basics’ and allowed entrants and spectators to do what they love doing best - just admire and talk about the sensational cars on display. By keeping it simple, we’ve also kept the costs down, which has benefited both entrants and spectators.

We are very excited about our inaugural event on 27 April 2008 and we hope its success will encourage suitable entrants from interstate (maybe even overseas? Mazda please send us a 787B racer!) in future years.

So, come and enjoy us for a relaxing day out and be dazzled by some of Australia’s finest Japanese automobiles.

So for those of you in Adelaide who love Japanese cars, head over to the All Japan Day website to learn about becoming an entrant and spectator.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Mazda has released a made-to-order version of the MX-5 (known as the ‘Roadster’ in Japan) called the ‘Prestige Edition’.

It’s another in a long line of special versions that we won’t see over here in Australia, and daresay won’t see in the USDM either. Here’s the lowdown on what we’re all missing with the new ‘Prestige Edition’.

• Heated bucket seats
• Black Leather upholstery
• 17” aluminium BBS wheels
• Front fog lights
• Stainless steel scuff plates
• Front strut brace
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

The new edition is strictly made to order, and will set prospective owners back 2,950,000 yen for the six-speed manual transmission and 3,050,000 yen for the six-speed automatic transmission model.

[Source: NihonCar]

Popularity: 19% [?]

Bored, a good writer or artist, want to get in on Mazda’s ZOOM ZOOM style, and want to win a prize?

Well here’s just the thing! Mazda have announced (on facebook at least) a design competition for all who are interested in� winning a trip to the L.A Autoshow in November. Enter the MAZDA Design Challenge to win:

• �All expenses paid trip to L.A
• $1000 spending money
• A Mazda 3 for the week of the show (Doesn’t appear you get to keep it. Awww!)

All you need to do is write 150 words or less on what you expect 3 of 2018 will look like - and yes, you can send in a sketch. But you better get moving, submission ends October 12, 2007! Hit facebook for the competition group.

Note: The competition is open to US citizens only. Bugger.

[Source: GrandJDM]

Popularity: 10% [?]

It must be the week for sexy white performance Japanese cars.

40th Anniversary RX-8. Click to Enlarge.

Mazda is building 200 Marble-White, limited edition RX-8’s in order to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the rotary engine. The car only comes in Marble white , and unfortunately offers the same power as the existing, standard RX-8. Darn.

The car is distinguished by special badging, Alcantra and leather interior, special retro stitching, Bilstein dampers, a foam filled crossmember and some new 18” shoes.

Personally I was hoping for a turbocharged RENESIS, or a limited edition in the form of the JDM Series 8 RX-7 motor with the boost wound up a tad. But if wishes were wings…

[Source: Autoblog]

Popularity: 15% [?]