If you think that 68hp for the Mazda 2 1.4-liter diesel isn’t enough power, here’s good news: Mazda has announced that the 2 will get the 1.6-liter 90hp diesel that you can find in the Fiesta, the European Fusion, and several PSA models. Torque on the 1.6L is rated at 205 Nm (151 lb-ft), so the little subcompact will improve its acceleration figures, which are currently a sluggish 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds. What remains at a good level is fuel consumption, rated at 4.2 l/100km (56mpg U.S.) while CO₂ emissions are kept at 112 g/km. Not bad. Prices for the revamped 2 have not yet been announced. Continued

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Mazda gave us a foretaste of its forthcoming sub B-segment city car at the Paris Motor Show with the Kiyora concept. To our misfortune, the production version of the Kiyora, said to be labeled Mazda1, will not get the concept’s Lamborghini style doors nor the futuristic interior. What it will get though when Mazda introduces the Mazda2’s smaller brother early next decade is the Kiyora’s next generation four-cylinder, 1.3-litre direct injection gasoline engine mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift as well as the start-stop system which altogether, promise to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions. Continued

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Mazda has just released renderings of its latest concept car that will be hitting the stage next month in Paris. Dubbed the Kiyora - which reportedly means “clean and pure” in Japanese - the new concept continues with the design theme seen on other Mazda concepts over the past two years. Based on the press release, the city car should be fairly compact with power coming from a new generation direct injected four cylinder engine. Continuing another recent Mazda theme from the 2 and 6, the Kiyora uses a new lightweight platform that still has the strength required for safety and performance.

Mazda will also be showing the 2 and 6 with new 1.6L and 2.2L diesel engines and an MX-5 Roadster with a new face that picks up the chiseled, flowing look of its stablemates. The press release is after the jump. Continued

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The rotary engine is world-renowned for many things, but fuel-efficiency isn’t one of them. Mazda wants to make Wankel’s masterpiece the poster child for its hydrogen-powered endeavors, so it’s considering offering a dual-fuel version of the engine in its next RX-badged offering.

According to AutoExpress, Mazda’s RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle will evolve into a new model, dubbed the RX-9, and is rumored to be motivated by a hydrogen-gasoline powertrain that will offer 20 percent better fuel economy and emissions over a traditional gasoline-powered Rotary. The rear-wheel-drive coupe will take styling cues from the Taiki concept and a dash-mounted switch allows drivers to toggle between gasoline and hydrogen fuel systems. For city driving, the hydrogen setting will be employed, which will reduce fuel consumption (at the expense of a 20 percent drop in power), while the gasoline system can be employed when drivers desire more performance.

Mazda’s goal is to make the rotary engine’s performance, fuel economy and emissions up the level of gasoline-electric hybrids, and if AE’s sources are to be believed, the hydrogen-powered RX-9 should arrive in 2012. See photos after the jump Continued

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As oil wealth has suddenly taken root in Russia in the last couple of years, the Moscow International Auto Show has suddenly become an event that automakers are paying attention to. With that in mind, Mazda will stage the world premiere of its latest concept in the Russian capitol next month. The Kazamai is the latest in a series of concepts that feature the “Nagare” (or “flow”) design theme, and is intended to demonstrate what Mazda calls “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.” Mazda hasn’t released many details yet, but the Kazamai does seem to point in the right direction for a small crossover. Power will reportedly come from a new-generation direct-injection engine. The body structure will follow the pattern set by recent production modes such as the Mazda2 and Mazda6, with reduced weight and aerodynamic lines. More next month as we get closer to the show

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The new Mazda2 has been a sport success for Mazda, selling almost 40,000 copies as of April since hitting the showrooms last October. A three-door version (above) was announced back in January and is now available to European customers. A 1.4 litre diesel engine is now also an option across the Mazda2 range and is cleaner and more efficient than the MZR gas engines. According to Mazda’s own numbers (read them after the break), the breakdown goes like this:

• The gas-powered MZR 1.3 gets 43.5 mpg (U.S.) while emitting 129 g/km of CO₂.
• The gas-powered MZR 1.5 gets 40 mpg (U.S.) while emitting 140 g/km of CO₂.
• The diesel-powered MZ-CD 1.4 gets 54.7 mpg (U.S.) while emitting 114 g/km of CO₂.

All of these engines are mated to a five-speed manual tranny with higher gear rations that also reduce fuel use. One thing to note: those 114 grams make the Mazda2 with the MZ-CD 1.4 the Mazda production car with the lowest CO₂ emissions ever sold in Europe. The diesel will still generate 50 kW/68 PS at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at a low 2,000 rpm for, in Mazda’s words, “lively driving fun.

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What happens when you take the already devilish Mazdaspeed3 (better known as the Mazda3 MPS there) and throw it into the challenging Targa Tasmania? Madness. The folks at Mazda Motorsport are bringing their hot hatch to the 2008 race to compete with the hot pink Nissan GT-R. Unlike other rallies, this race features cars that are mostly stock and include all of the electric systems and upholstery that came with the original car. We imagine this makes it a bit more comfortable for Alister McRae and his co-driver.

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This will be the eighth race for Mazda and the second for the MPS rally car. The vehicle features the stock 2.3-Liter direct injection turbo fourbanger that’s good for 255 horsepower, routed through a six-speed manual transmission. The race runs from April 15-20 and you should be able to follow the updates at Mazda Australia’s Targa Site, if it updates

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