Mazda Corporation has announced a product recall of 6 of its models which were manufactured between 2017 and 2019. The recall is a precautionary measure relating to a fuel delivery module (fuel pump) which needs to be replaced. A defect in the module could result in loss of engine power or vehicle stalling.
19,685 units in Malaysia
Mazda vehicles sold in China, ASEAN and other are affected and in Malaysia, Mazda has identified a total of 19,685 units of vehicles affected. The model ranges affected are the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9. Bermaz Motor, the distributor, stresses that all 2020 production models are not affected.
CX-9 is among the models affected.
Owners being notified my mail and SMS
Bermaz Motor is handling the matter as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience to owners. All owners of affected vehicle will be informed via notification letters and mobile SMS, which will include details of the product recall. Upon receipt of notification to replace the fuel pump, they should contact any Bermaz authorized service centres to make an appointment for the replacement.
In the meantime, if an owner experiences unusual conditions while driving the vehicle, it is important to stop the vehicle in a safe place and make contact with a Bermaz authorized dealer or service centre for advice and assistance.
Replacement costs are covered by Bermaz
The replacement of the fuel pump all costs related to this activity will be borne by Mazda Motor Corporation. The duration of work is estimated to take approximately 1.5 hours or slightly longer, depending on the model and the service centre workload at the time of appointment. Replacement stocks will be available in stages.
It is possible that some owners may not receive the notification as they may not be the original owners and their contact details might not be with Bermaz. In such a case, they can check by visiting the Mazda Recall Information Centre website at mazda.com.my/mazda-recall-information-centre. By providing their vehicle chassis number, they will be able to know if it is on the recall list.
On many occasions in its 100-year history, Mazda has demonstrated the superiority of its engineering capabilities in the highly competitive world of motorsports. By demonstrating its products in the public eye, putting them to the test against rival manufacturers on the circuits and in rallies, Mazda validated its technology.
When industrialist Jujiro Matsuda took charge of Toyo Cork Kogyo Company in 1921 and transformed the business first into a machine tool producer, he spotted an opportunity to promote his company. Motorcycle racing was popular in Japan in the late 1920s but most of the bikes were imported or assembled from imported parts.
Prototype of the 250 cc motorcycle racer developed by Toyo Kogyo in 1929.
Beating the best on the first try
Toyo Kogyo, as Mazda was then known, wanted to build a domestic Japanese bike and began development of a prototype in 1929. A 250 cc 2-stroke prototype motorbike was revealed in October 1930 and to everyone’s surprise, it won its first race beating a British-made Ariel, which was one of the most-respected and fastest bikes of that period.
Toyo Kogyo went on to produce 30 more motorcycles in 1930 but then Matsuda decided to instead focus attention on the practical Go 3-wheeler that would help grow the business. This would set the company on the road to success in automobiles rather than motorbikes. So Mazda’s flirtation with motorbikes remains a small snippet in its history, but nevertheless one that started with victory in motorsport.
Entering the international arena
The approach of using motorsport to promote the company and its products was revisited three decades later as Mazda began selling cars across the globe. When Mazda introduced the Cosmo Sport which had the revolutionary rotary engine, it headed to Europe and entered the car in international motorsport in 1968.
The Cosmo Sport in the 1968 Marathon de la Route – an 84-hour race around the legendary 28-km Nurburgring circuit – where it finished fourth on its first outing.
The event chosen was the gruelling Marathon de la Route – an 84-hour race around the legendary 28-km Nurburgring circuit. The aim was to test and demonstrated the endurance and reliability of the rotary engine. While one car crashed and retired, the remaining Cosmo finished fourth, beaten only by a pair of Porsche 911s and a Lancia Fulvia – considered at the time to be two of the finest sportscars in Europe. Motorsports enthusiasts began to watch the Japanese company from then on.
A R100 Coupe at Spa in 1969.
Proving speed and reliability
After success in the Marathon de la Route, Mazda entered the 1969 Spa 24-Hour race with three Mazda R100 coupes. The R100’s twin-rotor engine produced 200 bhp at 9,000 rpm, and the unsilenced noise of the rotary engine left European fans in no doubt about the unique engine under the bonnet. Held on the ultra-fast original 14-km Spa Francorchamps circuit, this race tragically claimed the life of Mazda driver Leon Dernier.
Against competition from BMW, Lancia, NSU, Gordini, Mini, Alfa Romeo and Porsche, the remaining Mazdas finished fifth and sixth, behind four Porsche 911s. The little rotary powered coupes had proved their speed and reliability in one of Europe’s toughest races, while repeating the success of the Cosmo the year before in the 1969 Marathon de la Route when a R100 finished fifth.
Mazdas were also popular in races in Japan, with the RX-3 taking on the Datsun Skyline.
Back home in Japan, Mazda also went racing – taking on the Datsun Skyline in domestic racing with the new RX-3 coupe. In the 1972 Fuji Grand Prix for touring cars, the RX-3s took a historic 1-2-3 finish as the battle for supremacy with Nissan reached a new level of intensity. The RX-3 also became a popular and successful race car around the world.
The car that really put Mazda amongst the sportscar greats was the RX-7, also rotary-powered. This iconic Mazda model appeared in races and rallies in numerous specifications in the hands of both factory and private entrants.
The RX-7 was used for Mazda’s first factory entry at the Le Mans 24 Hours, but it was overall victory at the 1981 Spa 24 Hours – the first for a Japanese brand – that really put the RX-7 on the map. Alongside winning the British Touring Car Championship in 1980 and 1981, these victories for the British TWR team firmly established the RX-7 in the UK.
RX-7 at Spa 24 Hours in 1981.RX-7 in IMSA race in America.
The RX-7 also made its mark on the other side of the Atlantic where it enjoyed consistent success. Competing in the GTU class for cars with engines smaller than 2.5-litres, it won the 24 Hours of Daytona at its first attempt in 1979. It then took the GTU championship for seven years on the trot. And while the class structures might have changed, the RX-7’s success remains undiminished: it has won more IMSA races than any other model in history.
Mazda in rallies
The RX-7’s rallying achievements are less well known. On February 1, 1984, the RX-7 was homologated for the Group B category of rallying. The Group B RX-7 programme was created by Mazda Rally Team Europe, an operation set up by German rally driver Achim Warmbold and based in Belgium. Unlike other Group B cars which were 4-wheel drive, the RX-7 had only rear-wheel drive.
While the Audi Quattro, Lancia Delta and Peugeot 205T16 were the well known Group B rallycars of the 1980s, Mazda also had a RX-7 developed as a Group B rallycar. Unlike most of its rivals, the Mazda had only rear-wheel drive.
Nonetheless it recorded some successes, winning the 1984 Polish round of the European Rally Championship. Possibly a more notable success was its third place in the 1985 Acropolis Rally, a round of the World Rally Championship. The RX-7 was remembered fondly by spectators for its flame-spitting rotary engine and the spectacular sideways driving due to its rear-wheel drive set-up.
Historic victory at Le Mans
For all the brand fame achieved by the motorsport activities, it’s Mazda’s association with the 24 Hours of Le Mans that stands above all else in the company’s motorsports history. The first time Mazda’s name appeared in the event was in 1970 when a Mazda 10A rotary engine powered a Chevron of the Belgian outfit Team Levi’s International.
The first time Mazda’s name appeared at Le Mans was in 1970 when its rotary engine powered a Chevron.
During the 1970s, Mazdas would also appear in other Le Mans events, with the RX-7 making its debut in 1979. In 1981, a pair of RX-7s were entered under the Mazdaspeed name, each having powerful 300-bhp twin rotor 13B engines.
1983 saw the factory Mazdaspeed team move into the prototype ranks with the 717C. Built for the 1983 Group C regulations and entered in the smaller Group C Junior class, the 717C was powered by a twin-rotor engine and had an aluminium monocoque chassis. Its low drag bodywork and enveloped rear wheels were designed to ensure the highest possible speed along the famous Mulsanne straight and the slippery 717C had a drag coefficient of just 0.27 Cd.
However, with very little downforce and a short wheelbase, driving the Mazda was a challenge for the drivers. Its speed and endurance brought a 12th place finish overall and the Group C Junior win for Japanese drivers Takashi Yorino, Yojiro Terada and Yoshimi Katayama. The only other finisher in the Group C Junior class was the second 717C, which said something about the reliability of the engineering.
In 1983, Mazdaspeed entered the renamed Group C2 class with a pair of Mazda 727Cs, an evolution of the previous year’s winning 717C with a twin-rotor 13B engine. A pair of sleek Lola T-616s entered by an American team also entered and these were powered by the same 13B rotary engine as the factory cars.
The 787B which won Le Mans in 1991, making Mazda the first Japanese manufacturer to win the legendary endurance race.
Mazda’s tally of class victories at Le Mans continued during the late 1980s and in 1991 came overall victory – the first for a Japanese brand at Le Mans. The car that did it was the 787B; it wasn’t just the powerful rotary engine but the racing car also had carbon brakes and a carbon clutch, and it was the first Mazda racer to feature telemetry.
Group A 323 with all-wheel drive in 1989, after the Group B cars were banned.
However, it wasn’t just success at Le Mans that marked Mazda out in the 1980s and 1990s, with rallying changing to Group A regulations, Mazda took on contenders from Lancia, Toyota and Ford with the Mazda 323 AWD. Although its 1.6-litre engine produced just 250 bhp, the 323’s small size and nimble handling was advantageous, particularly on ice rallies.
Mazda in Malaysian motorsport
In Malaysia, Mazda was also a notable name in motorsports in the 1970s. The local distributor, Asia Motors, had prepared some models with rotary engines such as the Capella RX-2 to challenge the Alfa Romeos. In Series Production races, they won several times and also made a strong impression in other classes with the Savanna RX-3. The company also installed the rotary engine in the original 323 (with rear-wheel drive) to enter rallies.
Models like the MX-5 continue to be popular choices for motorsport events, like the long-running GRA championship in Malaysia.
While Mazda Corporation stepped away from global motorsport at the start of the 1990s, success continued in the USA and today, Mazda Motorsports North America continues to compete at the highest level with a two-car factory supported effort in the 2020 IMSA Sportscar Championship with the RT24-P prototype.
The RT-24P currently entered in the 2020 IMSA Sportscar Championship
When you look at any car, one of the first things you will often notice is its colour. The colour can enhance the image of the car, complementing its other qualities. Mazda’s designers understand this and in their belief that ‘colour is an element of form’, there is a focus on developing colours that highlight the beauty, quality and uniqueness of its KODO design aims to evoke the same feelings as appreciating a work of art.
Since colour is an important element, Mazda has developed a selection of premium paints that use advanced technology to highlight exterior shape and beauty. With flowing body lines that show off the nuances of curves that are highlighted by the shifting reflections from the interplay of light and shadow, developing a paint to match this is a complex craft. The designers work relentlessly to stretch the possibility of paint and scrutinise the ideal colour.
In a process called Takuminuri (Takumi: master craftsman, Nuri: painting), cutting-edge painting robots use data obtained through simulation painting with Mazda’s best craftsmen to replicate traditional techniques to give mass-production vehicles a precise, high-quality and hand-sprayed finish.
The first premium colours
Starting with Soul Red Metallic and later Machine Grey in 2016 as the first premium colours offered, the three-layer structure comprising clear, translucent and reflective coats with aluminium flakes allowed Mazda designers to achieve colour brightness and depth at the highest level.
Building on the Takuminuri technology and with the idea to create the ‘world’s most beautiful red’ to symbolise the KODO: Soul of Motion philosophy, Mazda designers studied how people perceived colour and light and translated this ideal red into numerical values based on ergonomics to spray with Mazda’s Aqua-tech system.
Not wanting to add a fourth layer of paint due to its environmental impact, the design experts challenged convention to combine light-absorbing flakes along with high-brightness aluminium flakes in a single paint layer.
Soul Red was one of the first two premium colours from Mazda and it is available for all models today. It is also available for the Mazda models assembled in Malaysia.
Further enhancement of Soul Red
Boasting an increase of approximately 20% greater colour saturation and 50% more depth than the already popular Soul Red Metallic, the development of Soul Red Crystal achieved precisely controlled reflections which produced more vivid highlights and even deeper shadows for a fresher, lustrous appearance.
The R360 Coupe of the 1960s.
Throughout Mazda’s history, the brand has often innovated in paint technology and colours. Examples are the bright colours to highlight the form of Mazda’s first passenger car, the R360 Coupe, and colours such as ‘Grand Prix Red’, ‘Corn Yellow’ and ‘Impulse Blue’ on the 323/Familia to appeal to chic couture in the late 1970s.
Corn Yellow was the ‘hero’ colour for the 323/Familia, along with other colour choices available (below) which appealed to the consumer tastes of the 1970s.
Special edition of the MX-5 in the colours of the Mazda 787B racing car which was the first Japanese car to win the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1991.
And not forgetting the world’s best-selling sportscar, the MX-5 which has had an array of limited-edition colours such as British Racing Green, the distinctive orange and green ‘Le Mans 24’ livery and the exclusive Racing Orange body paint available for the 30th Anniversary Edition.
A new premium colour
Polymetal Grey is the latest premium colour developed and will be offered on certain models. This new paint finish combines bright aluminium flakes and opaque pigment, fusing the hard appearance of metal with plastic’s characteristic glossy smoothness. The colour’s tonality changes depending on the light, accentuating the car’s form.
The MX-5 RF in Polymetal Grey, the latest premium colour.
Mazda’s approach to using advanced paint technology does not neglect the need to ensuring that there is reduced environmental impact of the painting process. This is in keeping with the brand’s long-term Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 Vision.
Visit www.mazda.com.my to locate a showroom where you can view the latest Mazda models in Malaysia.
100 years is a special milestone in any history and for Mazda, it is of course especially significant. To celebrate this 100-year anniversary, the carmaker has many activities, among them, a 100th Anniversary Special Edition series of models. Unfortunately, yjpugh they are offered in Japan and selected markets, they will not be available in Malaysia.
Nevertheless, Bermaz Motor, which handles the Mazda brand in Malaysia has created a special limited edition Mazda CX-3 to commemorate the occasion. Developed by the company’s MazdaSports Division, the limited edition crossover SUV features various enhancements that gives the car a unique styling and design with a high sense of sophistication.
Exlusive Snowflake White Pearl finish
For a distinctive sportier look, the limited edition CX-3 is fitted with a Front Lip Spoiler & Rear Bumper Diffuser. The body features a two-tone finish with a Piano Black Roof and matching rear boot spoiler. Only a Snowflake White Pearl colour is available.
The 18-inch alloy rims are finished in gunmetal while the rear exhaust tips have a brushed aluminium finish.
Within the SUV, the styling enhancements added to the seats, steering wheel, armrest and gearknob are in the form of a dark gray suede finish to match the dashboard and door trims. There are also brushed aluminium sports pedals and scuff plates. Black carpet mats are also provided, exclusive to this limited edition. A JBL Basspro Hub 11-inch Subwoofer is included and this delivers fast and tight, deep bass with low distortion.
Sharper driving experience
Other functional enhancements include a front strut tower brace that covers the engine as well as lower front, mid and rear chassis bars for a sportier, sharper driving experience.
The CX-3 Limited Edition is priced from RM14,500 and bookings can be placed at any authorised Mazda outlet. The accessories fitted have a 1-Year Mazda Genuine Accessory Warranty based on the period of fitment at the time of new vehicle purchase. Deliveries will start from the end of July 2020.
Visit www.mazda.com.my to locate an authorised Mazda outlet or to know more about Mazda models available in Malaysia.
In the 100 years that Mazda has been in business, a large part of it making automobiles, numerous models have been created out of the engineering ingenuity and convention defying spirit that is in the brand’s DNA. While the public has seen the successful models around the world, there were also unusual and little-known vehicles the company produced. Some were unique concepts or long-forgotten prototypes or even a rare production car that was available in a small volume.
Away from the famous and significant coupes, saloons, sportscars, family cars, commercial vehicles and roadsters Mazda has become famous for, there’s a hidden story of the projects forgotten by time. Here are some of the Mazdas you’ve never heard of.
1930 Mazda motorcycle
The progression from cork to cars via three-wheeled trikes like the 1931 Mazda Go is relatively well known but before this, Mazda produced a prototype motorcycle as well. Toyo Kogyo, as Mazda was then known, wanted to build a domestic Japanese bike and began development of a prototype in 1929. A 250 cc 2-stroke prototype motorbike was completed in October 1930 and to everyone’s surprise, it won its first race beating a British-made Ariel, which were one of the most-popular bike brands in the 1930s and well-respected in Japan.
1931 Mazda Go
Toyo Kogyo went on to produce 30 more motorcycles in 1930 but commercially, the company took the decision to instead focus attention on developing the practical Mazda Go three-wheeler, setting the company on the road to success in automobiles rather than motorbikes, and leaving Mazda’s flirtation with motorbikes as a small snippet in its history.
1940 Mazda PKW prototype
Mazda’s very first car actually never made it beyond the gestation period. In 1940, the company built a small 2-door prototype car called the ‘PKW’ but the onset of World War II prevented it from reaching production. Mazda’s post-war reconstruction instead focused on the production of the Type GA and Type GB 3-wheeled trucks.
1950 Mazda Type-CA
Amongst these successful and popular 3-wheeled trucks, Mazda also produced another one of its little-known four-wheeled pioneers: the Type-CA 1-ton 4-wheeled truck. This had a small open-sided canvas roofed, split-screen open-decked truck that bore some resemblance to the Willys Jeep. It predated Mazda’s first production car the R360 Coupe by 10 years and wasn’t as famous as Mazda’s 3-wheeled trucks.
1960 Mazda D1500 Bus
The 1960 R360 was Mazda’s first car and over time, its vehicle range kept expanding to include commercial vans, pick-ups and light trucks. In fact, at the time the R360 appeared, Mazda also sold its first bus, a 13-seater based on the D1500 cab-over compact truck, to the Japanese Defence Agency. The interior was flexible enough that, with the seats folded, it could transport injured soldiers on stretchers. The D1500 bus was exported to the Middle East with centre-opening ‘freestyle doors’ at the back that enhanced its usability as an ambulance.
1965 Mazda Light Bus (left Type-C, right Type-A)
Mazda’s first bus for general public use was the 25-seater Mazda Light Bus Type-A of 1965. Based on a concept shown at the 1964 Tokyo Motor Show, with its huge curved laminated safety glass windscreen and futuristic styling, it was a world away from the traditional buses found in Europe in the 1960s. Into the 1970s, Mazda continued to produce upscale mini-buses using the Parkway model name and in 1974, even introduced the world’s first rotary engine-powered bus: the Parkway 26.
1973 Mazda CVS
The 1974 Mazda CVS Personal Car Concept showed how Mazda looked ahead to transportation possibilities outside the realm of driver-controlled vehicles. ‘CVS’ stood for Computer-controlled Vehicle System, and the CVS was a wheel at each corner with sliding doors and a spacious interior including big leather chairs and even a telephone! Tested on a Mazda-designed rail track, this self-driving pod looked like futuristic fantasy in 1973. Today, though, it may be less unusual as it resembles the transit carriages you see at airports.
1975 Mazda Road Pacer AP
In the 1970s, although the Japanese brands were known outside Japan for the small and fuel-efficient cars, they also had larger models which were mostly sold in the domestic market. These were models such as the Toyota Century, Nissan President and Isuzu Statesman De Ville. Mazda decided it too would offer a large model which could be used by Japanese government officials.
This saw the development of the Road Pacer AP, which had a completely different look from the usual Mazda models. That was because the model was adapted from the GM-Holden HJ Premier sedan sold in Australia. The huge car bodies were shipped from Australia to Japan without engines whereupon Mazda fitted its compact 135 ps 13B rotary engine within the cavernous bay.
Launched in 1975, the Road Pacer AP featured luxuries such as speed-related central locking and even had a dictation machine! Only sold in Japan, just 800 were produced between 1975 and 1977.
Mazda Pathfinder (sold only in Burma/Myanmar)
The CX-5 is a highly successful Mazda SUV today but largely unknown to the rest of the world, the company also produced a traditional 4×4 SUV that was exclusively assembled and sold in Burma. Called the Pathfinder, it was a rugged off-roader popular with the military and police. It was powered by a 90 ps engine and could carry up to 9 people. A few can still be seen on the roads of Myanmar today.
1991 Mazda Suitcase Car
Even stranger than the Burmese built off-roader, futuristic bus or the Holden-based limousine is the 1991 Suitcase Car. The development of a functioning car built into a piece of luggage came about thanks to the 1991 ‘Fantasy Yard’ event. This was an inter-departmental contest to see which group of Mazda employees could come up with the most innovative and creative solution to produce a moving machine.
A group of 7 engineers from Mazda’s manual transmission testing and research group purchased the largest Samsonite suitcase they could find and a quarter-size pocket motorbike and set to work on their idea. The 33.6 cc 2-stroke engine, handlebars from the minibike were fitted into the suitcase, with the rear wheels slotted onto the outside of the case, while the front wheel would pop through a removable hatch in the front.
The suitcase car took just minutes to assemble and had a top speed of about 30 km/h. While the original prototype was accidentally destroyed just a few months after the event, one Mazda suitcase car still remains in existence.
1993 Mazda London Taxi concept
At Mazda, design has a strong focus as it is a key selling feature of the brand. The freedom of thinking for engineers and designers once led to a collaboration with the London Royal College of Art in 1993 to sponsor a design project. This called for a taxi concept for a future where space would restrict vehicle size. While not an official Mazda concept, Mazda assisted by building the prototype, which was a futuristic looking narrow-track pod shaped minicar that was 20 years ahead of its time.
If you are in Japan and visit Hiroshima, the Mazda Museum at the company’s sprawling complex would be worth a visit. You’ll be able to see many of the rare models mentioned and more. It’s presently closed due to precautions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic but will surely be open again in future when the situation improves.
Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more about the Mazda models you can buy in Malaysia.
Bermaz Motor, which handles the Mazda brand in Malaysia, will offer PETRONAS Syntium Full-Synthetic Engine Oil at its service dealerships around the country. This follows the signing of a 5-year Supply Agreement with PETRONAS Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PLMM).
“For customers, BERMAZ’s agreement with PLMM represents another milestone in our pursuit of enjoyable and hassle-free ownership experience. PETRONAS Syntium full-synthetic engine oil will replace our current use of semi-synthetic engine oil at our BERMAZ Motor dealerships. Beginning next month, the use of full synthetic engine oil will retrospectively apply to all vehicles under the Free Service Maintenance – without additional cost to our customers,” said Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, Executive Chairman of Bermaz Motor.
“Taking care of owners and their vehicles is centric to the emotional journey. We will continuously pursue our brand promise, and the ownership experience will remain our core competitive advantage. We want to make a difference,” he added.
The new partnership strengthens the relationship between the two companies, especially in Malaysia’s Skills Development through the transfer of knowledge and skills development via technical vocational training and education (TVET). In palm biodiesel testing which PLMM is carrying out with PORIM (Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia), Bermaz Motor has provided 2 units of Mazda CX-5 to PORIM for field studies.
Commenting on the new development, Hardeep Kirpal Singh, Chief Executive Officer of PLMM. Said: “We are very pleased to be working with Bermaz Motor in supplying our latest PETRONAS Syntium with Cooltech technology which has been formulated to fight against excessive engine heat for better engine performance. Bermaz Motor is a brand trusted for delivering the best customer experience, a commitment that resonates with PETRONAS as well, and we are excited in bringing greater experiences to our customers through this partnership.”
At its service centres, Bermaz Motor has introduced Mazda Contactless Service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which requires social distancing. Mazda owners can also enjoy convenient last-mile doorstep service with the choice of Collect & Deliver or Mobile Service. To address the safety concerns of the customers and employees, every vehicle is disinfected before and after service.
The company has also extended the validity of the 5-year warranty and 5-year Free Service Maintenance program for Mazda owners affected by the restrictions of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Visit www.mazda.com.my to locate a Mazda authorised service centre or showroom in Malaysia.
Mazda and Ford had a relationship that went back to the mid-1970s and by many accounts, it was a successful one. One of the successful joint efforts to come out of the partnership was the pick-up truck program which saw the development of the Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger, along with a 50:50 investment in a brand new factory in Thailand to build the vehicles.
However, by 2015, the automotive world had changed substantially, and Ford was also going through challenging times. It decided to end the long partnership with Mazda that year by selling off its remaining shares in the company. Further collaboration was also not considered, and an announcement was made that the next Ranger generation would not involve Mazda (and we now know that it will involve Volkswagen).
A new association with Isuzu
At the time of the announcement in 2017, a Mazda executive would only suggest that the reason for not developing the next Ranger and BT-50 together with Mazda was due to ‘business considerations’. The Ford package was not as commercially attractive to Mazda as what was offered by Isuzu Motors for its next generation of pick-up trucks.
Actually, Isuzu and Mazda had already been working together for some years on commercial vehicles in the Japanese market. The new agreement would see Isuzu providing its D-MAX pick-up for adaption to become the new generation of the Mazda BT-50. It’s not known how much involvement Mazda had in the current D-MAX which was launched in October last year.
Like other Mazda models, KODO design language is used and differentiates the BT-50 from the Isuzu D-MAX (inset).
The result of the project has now been revealed with preliminary information and pictures of the new BT-50 being released. Mazda’s designers have done a good job of differentiating the Mazda model from the D-MAX. It’s not one of those vehicles which will draw remarks like ‘just a badge-engineered job’.
Immediate brand recognition
As with all current Mazda models, the KODO design language is used, giving immediate brand recognition. Mazda’s designers have adapted the KODO design theme to present an image of ‘power, toughness and utilitarian functionality’ suited to a pick-up truck.
The platform for the new BT-50 is identical to the one developed for the latest D-MAX.
Just as there were tiny engineering differences between the Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape SUVs, there seems to be the same subtle differences between the new BT-50 and D-MAX. Mazda says it developed the BT-50 ‘with the intention of making travel and the time spent inside the vehicle exceptionally pleasant’. Its focus is therefore on personal transport for leisure more than a workhorse role although the D-MAX genes should still give it plenty of capability for those who use it for business.
The 1.9-litre Blue Power engine too?
The information available is still limited and a 3-litre turbodiesel engine is mentioned. This would be an Isuzu unit and it remains to be seen whether the 1.9-litre Blue Power turbodiesel will also be offered in the BT-50. Mazda’s strategy could be to cater to a niche segment with smaller volumes, rather than try to compete over a broad spectrum of customers with extra engine options.
For now, Mazda has indicated that the new BT-50 will have a 3-litre turbodiesel engine which will be Isuzu’s (left). It’s not known if the new model will get Isuzu’s 1.9-litre Blue Power engine (right) as well.The BT-50 will be manufactured for Mazda at Isuzu’s global production hub for the D-MAX in Thailand.
The new BT-50 will be manufactured by Isuzu Motors at its D-MAX production hub in Thailand. It will go on sale in that market later this year and as it is also a CBU import for the Malaysian market, we could see it here before the year ends too.
Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more about Mazda models available in Malaysia.
Note: Prices shown are for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia and do not include insurance premiums. Locally-assembled models will have full exemption of 10% Sales Tax. imported CBU models will have 50% exemption of Sales Tax (5%) until December 31, 2020.2020 Mazda CX-30 – up to RM5,600 cheaper next week with 5% Sales Tax deducted.
Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more or to locate a showroom in Malaysia
For many years now, Polyphony Digital’s Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4) driving simulation title, Gran Turismo SPORT, has attracted the interest of a number of carmakers who have developed concept models for it. The Gran Turismo Sport title is certified and promoted by the FIA (the world motorsports governing body) as an official platform of digital motorsport.
From this May 22, a new addition will be the Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept virtual racing car. This new model will automatically grant seed rights to participate in the FIA-certified Gran Turismo Championship (World Tour) that will be held in various locations around the world in the 2020 season.
The RX-Vision GT3 Concept is based on the Mazda RX-VISION which was displayed in 2015. It is modified in accordance with FIA GT3 vehicle regulations. The RX-VISION took on the challenge of achieving the most beautiful front engine rear wheel drive (FR) sportscar that Mazda could conceive, based on the ‘KODO -Soul of Motion’ design theme.
The RX-VISION concept was unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motorshow.
The RX-VISION was selected as the ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ in the 33rd Festival Automobile International held in France in January 2016.
At that time, Mazda said it could be equipped with a next-generation ‘SKYACTIV-R’ rotary engine (RE) which naturally excited rotary fans and enthusiasts who await the return of the ‘RE’. Mazda has not ruled out the possibility and said the concept represented ‘the vision of a sportscar that Mazda hopes to make a reality in the future’.
The GT3 project started in the fourth quarter of 2019 and an image sketch was released at the venue for the world final of the FIA Gran Turismo Championship held in Monaco in November last year. It was announced that the racing car would be added to the 2020 update of Gran Turismo SPORT. From then on, the teams at Polyphony Digital and Mazda Design worked to refine the model using 3D modelling.
Taking advantage of the original concept’s long-nose/short-deck form, the RX-Vision GT3 Concept has a wider tread. The front midship and transaxle rear wheel drive configuration achieves an ideal 48:52 weight distribution, with excellent aerodynamic characteristics optimized for handling performance and tyre management.
Like the RX-VISION, the RX-Vision GT3 Concept will use a SKYACTIV-R 4-rotor rotary engine with a maximum output of 570 ps (the output and weight may change due to balance of performance (BoP) adjustments depending on the race). Its suspension consists of a double wishbone front and multi-link type rear layout.
Each function within the cockpit is arranged with an emphasis on ease of operation during the race. In particular, the steering wheel uses a special design that improves operability. The interior layouts of all Mazda models are developed in the pursuit of superior ergonomics. Similarly, the RX-Vision GT3 Concept prioritizes aspects such as seat shape, driving position, pedal arrangement and visibility during driving as essential items to providing a ‘human-centered’ cockpit.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length x Width x Height (mm) : 4590 x 2075 x 1120
Wheelbase (mm) : 2700
Front / rear tread (mm) : 1720 /1760
Vehicle weight (kgS) : 1,250
Engine displacement (cc) : 2600
Maximum output (ps/rpm) : 570/9,000
Maximum torque (Nm/rpm) : 540/7,500
Tyres and Wheels : Michelin – 310 / 700 – 18
In recent years, as the popularity of SUVs (especially the smaller ones) increased, many importers have focussed more on variants with only 2WD. These are usually cheaper, and customers don’t really care about whether two or all four wheels are powered. They’re more interested in the high seating position and perhaps the ground clearance, as well as interior utility.
However, there are also those who feel that 4WD or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) should be present in SUVs, just like they were in earlier years. Never mind that they might not actually go off-road, the presence of AWD added a degree of stability and grip, especially on wet roads.
When Bermaz Auto introduced the Mazda CX-30 at the beginning of this year, it offered only FWD versions with either SKYACTIV petrol or turbodiesel engines. Now, the range will include an AWD variant which is priced at RM176,059 (Peninsular Malaysia price, without insurance) for those who must have all four wheels powered.
The price is RM12,000 more than the high grade CX-30 which has the same 2-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine. This is not surprising since the i-ACTIV AWD system, which is quite sophisticated, adds cost, apart from the fact that the CX-30 is imported from Japan as a CBU (completely built-up) model.
The features and specs are the same as the CX-30 High Grade and you have a choice of 8 exterior colours – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue, Sonic Silver, Snowflake White Pearl, Titanium Flash and Polymetal Gray Metallic.
How Mazda i-ACTIV works
The AWD systems in today’s SUVs vary in sophistication and for Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD system, the engineers redesigned the system’s hardware and software, taking a proactive approach to controlling drive to all four wheels,
A fully-autonomous AWD system, i-ACTIV AWD constantly monitors surface conditions in real-time, watching for tiny variations in wheel speed that a driver would never notice. Proactively controlling the distribution of torque, which can range from full front-drive through to full 4-wheel-drive, the system not only provides solid and predictable handling for all-road performance, it makes driving on poor road surfaces more efficient by all but eliminating wasteful tyre-slippage.
Using a wide range of sensors to ‘paint’ a highly accurate picture of the overall driving scene, including road conditions and the driver’s intentions, i-ACTIV continuously calculates and adjusts the amount of torque sent to the rear wheels.
The perfect amount of torque is calculated and transferred to the rear wheels instantaneously (as and when needed). This is done by the AWD coupling unit which sends the appropriate drive force to the rear wheels. The system minimizes torque to the rear wheels when on dry road surfaces with good traction. The result is secure take-off, acceleration, cornering and braking, without the tyres slipping in any direction.
The sensors monitor for rain by watching the wipers and the external temperature gauge. The system can also measure how slippery the road surface is by comparing steering torque with the amount of current running through the electric power steering and the gradient of any slope by the degree of acceleration. In addition, the system precisely measures the speed of all four wheels and detects warning signs that indicate the wheels may be in danger of slipping. Along with engine driving force (applied to the front wheels), this is used to understand the driving conditions.
The i-Activ AWD system also has an Off-road Traction Assist system. The system works by distributing the driving force to the tyres that are in contact with the road surface to maximize traction performance.
Additionally, a Torque Control System that allows a lag-free, near-instantaneous response. In order to help the rear-wheel drive unit respond more quickly, the Torque Control System transfers a very small amount of torque to the rear even in front-wheel drive mode. This is known as ‘stand-by torque’ and it helps the system make a smooth and instantaneous transition to AWD drive mode when the command is received to send torque to the rear wheels.
Proven SKYACTIV-G powertrain
As for the powertrain, this uses the proven SKYACTIV-G Direct Injection petrol engine. For the CX-30, the displacement is 1998 cc with a maximum output of 162 ps/213 Nm. Mazda engineers have been able to raise the compression ratio of 13:1 to enhance output without knocking issues even when using RON95 petrol.
Only a SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission is available but using paddle shifters, the driver can also manually select any of the 6 forward speeds if preferred. While the driver can get sportier performance with a SPORT mode, the AWD system operates entirely on its own with no need for driver involvement.
Extras for the base version
With the latest shipment of CX-30 2.0G version, Bermaz Auto has included a couple of new features – Mazda Advanced Keyless entry and Walk-Away Lock – for added convenience. Though priced at RM145,759 or RM18,300 less than the High Grade version, this version still has a very comprehensive list of equipment and features that justify the price. And as we noted during a test-drive, the CX-30 also has high quality in every aspect which gives a very premium image.
Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more about the CX-30 and other Mazda models in Malaysia.
