Fiat 124 2017

The new Fiat 124 Spider marks the Italian brand’s return to the affordable roadster market after an absence of more than decade. 

Heavily based on the Mazda MX-5, the newcomer combines that car’s agile rear-wheel drive handling with Fiat’s own turbocharged MultiAir engine. The 124 Spider also features totally unique exterior styling – although the interior is carried over largely unchanged from the Mazda.

The Fiat can trace its roots back to the original 124 Spider, which made its debut back in 1966 and continued in production for nearly two decades. Then, in 1995, Fiat had another stab at the roadster market with the pretty Barchetta.

However, this car was front-wheel drive and only available in left-hand drive, meaning sales were slow, particularly in the face of rivals such as the MX-5.

So for this revived 124 Spider, Fiat has decided that ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’. As a result, the new car is essentially a re-skinned Mazda MX-5.

Every single body panel is changed to give the Fiat its own identity, but the underlying structure, suspension and even the interior are taken wholesale from the Mazda. The Fiat is also built alongside the MX-5 at Mazda’s Hiroshima factory in Japan.

Externally, the Fiat looks different enough from the Mazda MX-5. Yet with its longer overhangs (the Fiat is 139mm longer overall), gaping front grille and slab sides, the 124 Spider doesn’t looks as compact or stylish as the tautly designed and perfectly proportioned Mazda.

Yet while fans of the sixties original will no doubt be dismayed at this blatant badge-engineering, it does mean the 124 Spider is fun to drive, solidly built and relatively affordable. And while much of the Fiat is Japanese, its heart is still 100 percent Italian.

Under the sculpted bonnet (a clear nod to the sixties original) is Fiat’s own 138bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine. It doesn’t rev quite as eagerly as the naturally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0-litre units used in the MX-5, but it’s as quick as the latter thanks to its muscular 240Nm torque output. It’s also more relaxing to drive, because you don’t need to work the engine as hard to access strong performance.

Currently, this engine is the only option available to British 124 Spider buyers – the American market car gets a more potent 160bhp version of the same powerplant. However, sources close to the company have confirmed that an even more powerful and sharper handling Abarth model is in the pipeline for UK and European customers.

Like the Mazda MX-5 powerplants, this engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox, yet unlike its Japanese cousin the Fiat 124 Spider is also available in the UK with a six-speed automatic.

New Mazda SUV CX-5

Mazda has taken the wraps off its Land Rover Freelander rival – which will sit below the full-size CX-7 SUV – and says it will be the first car to use its SKYACTIV eco technologies. This means low CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km.

The styling is inspired by the Minagi concept – which debuted at March’s Geneva Motor Show – with the design team doing a good job of retaining that car’s neat look.

The CX-5 showcases Mazda’s new KODO design language, which incorporates a fresh family face and more purposeful stance, which bosses claim it will be extended to the car’s cabin.

Under the bonnet is a choice of the new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre petrol engine and a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel. The latter comes in two power outputs, with the lesser 173bhp option claiming the lowest CO2 figure – although this refers only to the front-wheel-drive version with a manual gearbox.

In comparison, the most efficient two-wheel-drive VW Tiguan provides 64bhp less power and still puts out 139g/km. Among the other SKYACTIV tweaks are new manual and automatic transmissions, while the body and chassis have been developed to be as light and rigid as possible.

Mazda 3 2004-2011

The Mazda3, marketed in Japan as the Axela, comes as a compact car with high-performance options. It's a sedan with sports car pretensions but has a price tag low enough to attract young buyers and families. Its strong international sales in Europe, the Middle East and Canada ensure a long life.

Mazda Motor Corporation sells more than 300,000 Mazda3 cars a year and can be characterized as the young brother of the Mazda6 mid-size sedan. The Mazda3 started production in 2004.

The Mazda3 is an example of Japanese automakers placing high-performance components into a low-priced compact car.

Mazda management developed the Mazda3 to replace its Familia, or 323 series, which debuted in 1964 and did not age well when it ended production in 2003.

Mazda3 models were pared down from the four versions of the 323s to just the five-door hatchback and the four-door sedan.

Mazda developed the sportier Mazda3 to ensure its survival with a high-volume car through the ongoing economic turbulence of the 21st century, ultimately producing 920,000 since its inception.

As a fuel economy measure the second generation model's engine cuts out when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and restarts when the brake pedal is released.

Mazda 6 Takeri

Mazda has pulled the wraps from the car that’s set to replace the popular 6 in only 18 months’ time.

The four-door saloon concept will make its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in December, and is called the Takeri.

We understands that hatchback and estate versions are also under development, but details remain scarce. However, Mazda has confirmed that the car follows its Kodo design philosophy, and features the new SkyActive-D 2.2-litre diesel engine that will debut in the CX-5 SUV in March.

The 173bhp 2.2-litre engine is all new, and will return around 60mpg. Revving smoothly to 5,500rpm, it can generate up to 400Nm of torque and promises strong in-gear acceleration.

As with the Minagi concept that previewed the CX-5, the Takeri is believed to be a close representation of the upcoming 6, and has been penned by chief designer Akira Tamatani.

By the time the newcomer reaches production, drivers can expect it to be lighter and tougher than the car it replaces, thanks to the use of lightweight, high-tensile steels. And Mazda’s SkyActive technologies should ensure it’s also better to drive.

The SkyActive approach sees every component reduced in weight, with special attention paid to the aerodynamics.

Mazda claims that this helps to save fuel, and also improves the handling. Sleeker, more attractive looks are another benefit.

The new 6 will also feature the company’s latest regenerative braking system, which will incorporate stop-start engine technology. In addition, it uses novel capacitors, which store electrical energy and use it to power the vehicle’s electrical equipment, including air-conditioning and headlights.