Mazda Models for 2007

The Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, founded in 1920 in Hiroshima, Japan, used the name “Mazda” for its first three-wheeled truck, built in 1931. Company founder Jujiro Matsuda chose the word “Mazda” because it was the name of the Zoroastrian god of good and light. Work on a small sedan began in the late 1930s, but development was halted so the company could pitch in with Japan’s war effort.

By 1960, the first Mazda automobile – the R360 coupe – was developed, and the company’s foray into the production of passenger vehicles began in full force. Other landmark developments were soon to follow. Mazda began selling cars in the U.S. in 1970. In the early part of the decade, the automaker rolled out the RX-2. In 1979, the Ford Motor Company purchased a 25 percent stake in Mazda after the Japanese company encountered a number of financial difficulties.

The 1980s was a decade of rebirth for Mazda. The company officially took on the Mazda name (though all its vehicles since its launch in the ’20s have carried that brand). The 1990 model year saw the launch of a car that would prove a huge hit for Mazda: the MX-5 Miata. However, save for the Miata, the company’s vehicles experienced declining sales in the U.S., and the company’s fortunes suffered as a result.

The new millennium has seen Mazda regain its stride. The automaker has invested in new development, with impressive results. New models like the Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and RX-8 have broadened the company’s customer base and won over a whole new generation.

The latest Mazda model, the 2007 CX-9 is a seven passenger SUV. It incorporates an interior of sophisticated elegance with class leading space and unmatched versatility. It rides on the class’s longest wheelbase to provide easy access to its three row seating. The interior will impress all buyers with its space, utility, versatility and premium features. The car is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine, with 250 hp and approx. 240 lb-ft torque. This is paired with a standard six speed Sport A/T automatic transmission, which provides optimum acceleration. Also available are the front wheel drive or Mazda’s Active Torque Split all wheel drive system.

The 2007 CX-7 is a highly styled crossover SUV with the soul of a sports car. Produced entirely on Mazda derived platform, this five seater embodies an astute blend of sports car verve and SUV practicality. External features include prominent front fenders, A-pillars rooted at the body’s leading edge, a sharply raked windshield and Mazda’s signature five pointed grille. The CX-7 is fitted with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.3 liter four cylinder direct injection gasoline engine, producing 244 horse power and 258 lb-ft torque. It is equipped with a six speed Sport A/T automatic transmission with an optional manual mode and independent rear multi-link suspension with stabilizer bar. Other options offered include the Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, the Dynamic Stability Control and traction Control System.

For 2007, the Mazda 6 Sports Sedan gets even better with a new trim grade structure, and added standard content that includes Anti-lock Brake System and Traction Control. This line up, be it the sleek Mazda 6 Sports Sedan or the functional mid size 5-Door or the versatile Mazda 6 Sport Wagon, suits every buyer’s needs and lifestyle. Some of the enhancements to this set for the model year 2007 are auto dimming inner mirror and Homelink standard on Grand Touring, and side air bags with side curtains.

The Mazda 3, the perfect sedan for an active lifestyle, has received many exterior changes for the 2007 model. European sophistication, high performance, advanced technology and best in class safety are the constituents that make Mazda 3 a leader in the compact sedan segment. This year sees the release of the Mazda 3 5-door, a sporty hatchback targeted to appeal to the youth. It is fitted with a 2.3 liter, 160 hp MZR engine, same as the one found in the Mazda 3 4-door, Mazda 5 and Mazda 6i. The Mazda 3 5-door comes standard with a sport package that includes stylish front and rear bumpers, side skirts, 17 inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and unique tail lights.

The Mazda RX8 redefined the sports car segment when it was launched in 2003. It continues the redefinition with an exterior suggesting athletic tension, a unique twin motor Renesis rotary engine and an interior offering comfort and practicality, in its 2007 model. The six speed Sport A/T automatic transmission equipped cars get a power boost to 212 hp with a similar six port intake system as used on manual transmission equipped cars. The 238 hp 6MT cars come with standard 18 inch wheels. Both vehicles are fitted with power windows, mirrors and door locks and cruise control.

The 2007 B series remains the rough and rugged compact pickup truck it always was. It is available with either of a 2.3 liter I-4, a 3.0 liter V6 or a 4.0 liter V6 engine. All versions are available with either a five speed manual or a five speed automatic transmission. Overall, the 2007 model remains largely the same as before.

There are affordable cars, and then there are cars that offer thrilling performance. Rarely do the two ever converge, but Japanese automaker Mazda has made it a tradition of coming up with vehicles that combine both of these eminently desirable traits.

Tags: 2007, Mazda, Models

Two Mercedes Models Receives Car Environment Certificate

DaimlerChrysler AG’s Mercedes Car Group has proven their contribution with the environment by manufacturing vehicles with low fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions.

Oko Trend, one of the most internationally acclaimed environmental institutions based in Germany has awarded two Mercedes-Benz models: the Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI compact car and the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI van with the prestigious “Car Environment Certificate”. Now on its tenth year, the Car Environment Certificate is awarded to the vehicle/s that meet the institute’s strict environmental standards for automobiles. Only 15 vehicles from international automakers have been awarded by Oko Trend since 1997, and that includes the Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI and the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI.

The Oko Trend Institute for Environmental Research evaluated the two Mercedes vehicles along with other brands and selected the vehicles that achieved top ratings in various criteria. These include fuel consumption, exhaust/noise emissions, environmental friendly performance, and other environmental factors relating to the vehicle’s production, materials, logistics, and the environmental management systems done by the car manufacturer. The Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI and Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI obtained above average results in all of these criteria allowing the two vehicles to get Oko Trend’s Car Environment Certificate.

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Oko Trend was impressed by the two Mercedes-Benz vehicles’ performance. Experts at Oko Trend commented: “The Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI may be seen as one of the most eco-friendly vehicles with a conventional drive system. The development phase for this compact car was already based on a comprehensive environmental concept which takes the entire lifecycle of the vehicle into consideration. Numerous specific measures have reduced emissions during the production and operation of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class by approximately 17 percent compared to the preceding model. All in all, Mercedes has set new ecological standards for conventionally powered vehicles with the new A-Class.”

The institute gave a distinctive special praise to the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI based on their evaluation. Oko Trend said: “The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is distinguished by a high degree of variability and spaciousness, as well as convincing environmental credentials”. The 140-hp diesel engine is equipped with a particulate filter as standard. Thanks to a high torque of 300 Nm, which is already available from 1600 rpm, this engine allows a relaxed style of driving and early upshifts. A fuel consumption of six litres per 100 km is feasible in practice. All in all, therefore, the Mercedes B 200 CDI achieves a very good environmental rating.”

Both Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI compact car and the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI van are equipped with diesel engines that offer improved fuel efficiently and reduced harmful exhaust emissions, without affecting the handling and performance. Both models are also equipped with quality Mercedes parts inside and out like those Mercedes cargo liner and Mercedes cargo mat found on the luxurious GL-Class.

Tags: Certificate, Environment, Mercedes, Models, Receives

Porsche Weighs Launching Four Cylinder Models

German sports car maker, Porsche, may soon be doing the unthinkable: offering at least one four cylinder powered model in their product mix.

Porsche, along with most other automakers, has suffered tremendously this year as sales have plunged by more than 17% through August 2008. In August, Porsche’s sales were down a whopping 45%; both figures apply to the US market only.

A Four Cylinder Engine For Porsche?

The decision to build a car with a four cylinder engine hasn’t been finalized, but it is something that Porsche believes that they must consider in order to garner more sales. Several years ago Porsche boldly expanded its product line up by adding an SUV, the Porsche Cayenne, a vehicle that alarmed purists but helped stoke the company’s bottom line.

By introducing the Cayenne, Porsche contended that they were losing sales to BMW and Mercedes as families who needed more room were forced to look beyond Porsche’s two-seater product offerings. With the SUV market expanding, adding this type of vehicle was deemed to be critical to helping Porsche.

Cayenne Sales Are Up For The Year

Apparently, Porsche is doing well with the Cayenne as its year to date truck sales are up almost 4% for the year, according to Autodata Corp. who tracks this information. Cayenne is the only vehicle sold by Porsche under the truck category.

If Porsche chooses to add a four cylinder engine to its product mix, it wouldn’t be a strange engine for Porsche. As recently as the 1980s, both the Porsche 924 and 944 models offered four cylinder engines, a technology Porsche traces all the way back to the 1930s.

Targeting the Boxster

The likeliest recipient for a four cylinder engine would be the Porsche Boxster, the smallest and lightest of all Porsche models. Some analysts are theorizing that Porsche could easily make the transition to a four cylinder engine by removing two cylinders from a current six cylinder engine and coming up with a 2.4L flathead four cylinder.

Another option would be for Porsche to harvest an existing four cylinder engine from partner Volkswagen and modifying it according to their needs. The two automakers have a long history of sharing technology and co-developing vehicles with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne underpinned by the same truck platform.

Lastly, Porsche might also consider developing an all-new model, perhaps a four passenger sport sedan to expand its product line and to provide a fuel efficient model. That move would further infuriate Porsche loyalists, but in face of the current economic climate and concerns about global energy, a hotrod compact sedan might be the direction Porsche will go.

Tags: Cylinder, Four, Launching, Models, Porsche, Weighs

Two Mercedes-Benz Models Awarded With Car Environment Certificate by Oko Trend Institute

In the news: Two Mercedes-Benz models were recently awarded with the Car Environment Certificate by the internationally renowned environmental institute Oko Trend. The Mercedes-Benz models that were awarded are Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI and the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI which are both manufactured by the Stuttgart brand. The two Mercedes models received top marks during an extensive and critical analysis by specialists at the independent institute.

Both the Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI and Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI have achieved well-above-average results in all areas. According to the institute Oko Trend, the two Mercedes models have obtained excellent values in terms of fuel consumption and exhaust/noise emissions plus excel in virtue of its environmentally friendly production, materials and logistics.

The Oko Trend institute was so impress with the two Mercedes-Benz models that it said, “The Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI may be seen as one of the most eco-friendly vehicles with a conventional drive system. The development phase for this compact car was already based on a comprehensive environmental concept which takes the entire lifecycle of the vehicle into consideration. Numerous specific measures have reduced emissions during the production and operation of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class by approximately 17 percent compared to the preceding model. All in all, Mercedes has set new ecological standards for conventionally powered vehicles with the new A-Class.”

The Mercedes-Benz A 160 CDI has a fuel consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 kilometers with a corresponding CO2 emission of 128 grams. Based on the research conducted by the Oko Trend, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is distinguished by a “high degree of variability and spaciousness, as well as convincing environmental credentials”. The Oko Trend institute has high regards for the power unit of the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI saying, “The 140hp diesel is equipped with a particulate filter as standard. Thanks to a high torque of 300 Nm, which is already available from 1600 rpm, this engine allows a relaxed style of driving and early upshifts. A fuel consumption of six liters per 100 km is feasible in practice. All in all, therefore, the Mercedes B 200 CDI achieves a very good environmental rating.” The Institute also stressed the high ecological standards that generally apply at Mercedes-Benz.

Aside from the environmentally friendly standards that Mercedes-Benz is implementing it is also renowned for its high level of safety features. Every component added to a Mercedes vehicle is carefully scrutinized and tested for quality and durability especially in terms of safety parts like Mercedes brakes which are the primary safety features of a Benz car. Mercedes brake parts are manufactured and designed by the carmaker itself to further ensure quality. This is in keeping with the long tradition of the automaker in creating not only top-of-the-line vehicles but also producing high quality auto parts.

The Oko Trend Institute for Environmental Research is founded by the Bergische University of Wuppertal and has been publishing research reports regarding the eco-friendliness of car models since 1997. And last year this financially independent and neutral institute has expanded their analytical activities and started giving their internationally renowned Oko Trend Car Environment Certificate. These certificates are awarded only to vehicles which meet the particularly high environmental standards set by the institute. In making their assessment, the specialists take not only the vehicle specific criteria such as exhaust/noise emissions and fuel consumption but also take into consideration the environmental parameters relating to production, logistics, including the manufacturer’s environmental management systems. And that’s not all; vehicles need to obtain at least 90 percent of the maximum score in all assessment criteria in order to be awarded with the car Environment Certificate.

At present only 15 car models worldwide were given the Certificate and two of them were from Mercedes-Benz: one from the Mercedes compact class and Mercedes compact van class.

Tags: Awarded, Certificate, Environment, Institute, Mercedesbenz, Models, Trend