Mazda Gives Tips for Hot Summer Driving, Riding

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is the maker of the MX-5 Miata - the best-selling convertible sports car in the planet, and the only optional power-retractable hard top that consumes no trunk space. It celebrates the mark of the unofficial start of summer driving through offering some driving tips for the season to assure convertible drivers all over the United States safely enjoy their vehicles.

Very different from other authorized organizations, their tips encompass humans as the subject and not the car.

Their recommended daily routine with the car are as follows:

• For the human skin, at least SPF 15 sunscreen rating should be applied. A sun exposure of 15 minutes per day is tantamount to 90 hours per year of incidental sun exposure.

• While driving or riding in a convertible, always pony your hair to prevent wind damage and dry hair. You may also wrap your hair in a bun or use a hat. Also, make sure to always bring extra hair products – hairpins, butterfly clamps or rubber bands.

• Wearing sunglasses will help prevent too much of the sun’s heat from entering your eyes. Always wear them also to protect your eyes from airborne debris.

• When driving with top down or low windows, avoid leaving loose sheets of papers, pieces of light clothing, or plastics. These things will surely be driven by the wind. In effect, you are adding to the deterioration of the ecosystem.

• If you want to leave the roof down, do not park near trees to pave way for the birds’ resting area.

• Before opening or closing the top, pull over and have a complete stop. Aside from an unsafe distraction, the parts that control the top may be damaged by the wind.

• To avoid dryness or dehydration, drinking plenty of water is recommended. A moisturizer and a lip balm can also be a remedy.

• And above all, always ensure safety regardless of the length of the trip.

Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of MNAO, said that the MX-5 Miata is the most sold convertible sports car all over the world with over 800,000 units sold. And according to him only Mazda has the authority “to speak on behalf of top-down, wind-in-your-hair, and sun-on-your’s-face driving fun”. Summer road trips will be seen any time from now. With this, O’Sullivan said everyone must keep those road tips in mind.

With top of the line Mazda engine, MX-5 Miata pricing starts at $20,435 (MSRP). This convertible has up to 30 mpg on the highway and an open-top motor with minimal wind turbulence in the cabin.

An aero-board wind deflator is found between the seat backs. This guides forward flowing air to go upward. This deflator was invented by Mazda on the 1987 RX-7 Convertible but is now common on modern convertibles.

Aside form the MX-5 Miata convertible, Mazda builds other vehicles that offer optional sunroofs. These vehicles are the RX-8 sports car, MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, CX-7, CX-9 and the Tribute.

O’Sullivan added that driving a Mazda means a wonderful trip.

About Mazda North American Operations

Toyo Kogyo entered the entire United States automotive market in 1970 with a single car, the RX-2.

Mazda North American Operations, which is headquartered in Irvine, California, supervises the sales, marketing, and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. This is realized through about 900 dealers.

Author: Kraig Johanssen

Mazda Launches Revised Rx-8

The Mazda Motor Corp. has launched its four-door, four-seater sports coupe RX-8 at this year’s North American International Auto Show with a serious bang. The new generation coupe boasts of a refreshed styling and an improved performance to wow more auto enthusiasts.

The Japanese automaker restyled the front and rear bumpers, wheels, headlights, and LED taillights while retaining the traditional rear-hinged rear doors. What is more, the automaker made the exhaust pipes and alloy wheels bigger than the previous model.

The RX-8 entertained a stiffened body by using a bar between the front suspension towers. Aside from enhancing stability of the car, it is also resorted to improve handling. The gearing was also modified to make the car even faster.

"Dating back to the Cosmo Sport released in 1967, every sports car ever developed by Mazda has had the same fundamental mission - to provide car lovers with a vehicle that's fun-to-drive, exciting to look at and easy to own," said Tetsu Nakazawa, Mazda North American Operations' RX-8 vehicle line manager. "The new RX-8 embodies that mission, conveying the unique and distinctive Mazda brand DNA to the fullest."

To make the revision catchier, Mazda’s pool of engineers zeroed in on innovation in three areas – styling, packaging and performance. "The enhancements made to RX-8's exterior, interior, packaging and performance takes it to a whole new level of visual and driving excitement," added Nakazawa.

Also, a flagship new sport package of the car will also be available. This will include a sport-tuned suspension, a body kit (with a new front bumper and side sills as well as fog lights and high-performance tyres) and Recaro front seats with leather side bolsters, reported Reuters.

The revised models are expected to go on sale in the United Kingdom in the summer. According to the maker of Mazda spark plugs, prices and specifications will be announced nearer the time.

Separately, Mazda will be entertaining the use of new skins to lure more shoppers. Because it still takes four to five years to create a new car, there is a gap before the design themes reach production, said Franz von Holzhausen, the director of design for Mazda North American Operations.

"You will see this design philosophy in the future," von Holzhausen said last Wednesday at the AutoWeek Design Forum. “If Mazda doesn't evolve and reinvent its "skin," it runs the risk of becoming obsolete. Look at BMW. They recreated their skin. It was controversial but now they are selling more cars because of it.”

Author: Anthony Fontanelle