New 2008 Mazda 2 / Demio Video

Back in March, we uploaded the first promo video of Mazda’s new subcompact hatch that’ll go on sale in Europe this autumn. Thanks to our “Français” pals at Le Blog Auto, we have a second video of the all-important ’08 Mazda2 that will also find its way to Japan, Australia, China and other markets but not the U.S.

Youthful design aside, the most intriguing aspect on the ’08 Mazda2 (also known as Demio in Japan and other markets) is that for the first time ever, a new Mazda is lighter than the model it replaces. According to the Japanese carmaker, the Mazda2 is approximately 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than its predecessor weighing in at less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs). Even if that’s partially due to the new Mazda2’s reduced overall length and lower roofline, still, it’s admirable. -Click "Read More..." below to see the video

Via: Le Blog Auto

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe "12-second video ad" winner

12-seconds; that’s the time needed for the MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s retractable hard-roof to open and close. With that in mind, Mazda set-up a pan-European video contest where all participants had to create a 12-seconds long video of the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe. About 200 videos where submitted across Europe, with the winner being Marianna Shafranskaya from Russia. We haven’t seen the rest of the videos, but we sure enjoyed Shafranskaya’s one. The later will receive a new Mazda Roadster Coupe, while nine other finalists will have to be content with prizes including Bose home entertainment audio systems. Via: Motorpasion -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the press release

PRESS RELEASE: Novice filmmaker wins Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe Video Contest

Mazda Motor Europe has announced that Marianna Shafranskaya from Russia has won its pan-European 12-second video contest. The contest is the highlight of a unique advertising campaign for the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe – whose power retractable hard top opens and closes in a record 12 seconds.

The campaign included an interactive website where budding filmmakers were challenged to capture their interpretation of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom feeling on film. From a total of nearly 200 videos submitted from across Europe, a jury selected Ms Shafranskaya’s entry as the grand prize winner. She will receive a new Mazda Roadster Coupe, while nine other finalists will receive prizes including Bose home entertainment and audio systems.

The jury comprised of Mazda’s agency Creative Director Eddy Greenwood, website producer Scott Bedford and Seamus Masterson, director of the viral marketing. "Mazda’s new Zoom-Zoom roadster with the retractable hard top," said Greenwood, ”is a thriller”. That’s why we asked the public to submit their own version of a thrilling 12 seconds, filmed in a way that is surprising and fun. All the final 10 videos were very good, but we felt the grand prize winner best reflected Mazda’s spirit of fun and ingenuity.”

Technorati: Mazda+MX-5+Roadster-Coupe, Mazda+Miata, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Video: Monster Motorsports Mazda Miata / MX-5 V8

Ok, I know this story isn’t exactly new but this is the first time I’ve seen Monster Mototrsport’s Miata V8 in real-life action. I'm not sure if the company exists anymore since their site (www.monstermotorsports.com) has been down for a long time now. What I do know though is that the Southern Californian based tuner made a reputation by replacing Miata’s stock 4cylinder 1.6 with a 5-litre EFI Ford V8 engine that was offered with several outputs, starting out from about 250Hp and going up to 500Hp with the addition of a supercharger.

Technorati: Mazda+Miata, Mazda+MX-5, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

2008 Mazda2 - Demio Video including driving & static shots

The promo video gives us a real life example of what we can expect from the all-new Mazda2 - Demio in Europe and Japan later this year. It'll also make its apperence in the US beginning in 2008. And since vids are almost always more entertaining than pics, this one was worth the time to find. But, in the name of all that is holy... ixnay on the color-ay.

Technorati: Mazda2, Mazda+Demio, Geneva+Motor+Show, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

LA Show: Mazda Nagare Concept Video & Pics

Now this is a new one! Mazda describes the Nagare -pronounced “na-ga-reh” which is Japanese for ‘flow’ and the embodiment of motion, as “a concept of a concept.” In other words, it’s proportions and surface language will evolve in subsequent designs planned for presentation at future autoshows this season. So how long till we’ll see a concept version of the… Nagare concept? Well, sooner than you think, as Mazda’s new global design director, Laurens van den Acker stated that the Japanese company would debut two concepts, one in January at the Detroit Show and one in the Geneva Show in March.


Technorati: Mazda+Nagare+Concept, Los+Angeles, LA+Auto+Show, 2006, Youtube, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, images, pictures, Carscoop

VID of the day: Mazda RX-7 lifts off at 345km/h - 215 mph

3...2...1... Gentlemen, we have lift off ! Check out this spectacular video of a tuned Mazda RX-7 taking off in the air at 345 km/h - 215 mph then start to flipping over several times before it eventually stops after the parachute opens. Via: Motorpasion

Technorati: Vid+of+the+Day, Maxda+RX-7, video, accident, clip, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop