Author Archives: Dave Yuan
100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 03
Among automotive journalists, including many of us here at JNC, Mazda has long occupied a special place in our hearts. To this day, their cars just tick for us. Why? As we near the end of the year that marks … Continue reading
Posted in 100 Year Club
Tagged 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 787b, autozam, az-1, cosmo, Cosmo JC, eunos roadster, fd3s, kei, mazda, mazda 3, miata, Miata NA, Miata ND, Millenia, mx-5, rotary engine, rx-7, rx-8, RX-Vision
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Mazda launches heritage parts program for FC and FD RX-7
Mazdafarians, rejoice! Mazda announced today that it will begin remanufacturing parts for both the second- and third-generation RX-7. Ever since Mazda launched the Roadster Restore program in 2017 for the first-generation Miata, enthusiasts have been clamoring for Mazda to add … Continue reading
The MX-5 Miata’s new 2021 color scheme evokes one of the most exclusive Mazdas ever
Mazda just announced the specs for the 2021 model year Miata, with updated colors being the key change. In particular, the new Deep Crystal Blue exterior and white leather interior are nice nostalgic callbacks to the heritage of the iconic … Continue reading
Here are some heroes who won a free 100th Anniversary Miata from Mazda
Here’s some positive news we could all use in these difficult times. Earlier this year, Mazda asked people to nominate individuals in their communities who have gone above and beyond for the sake of others. Mazda would then select fifty … Continue reading
Mazda shows its new straight-six, a beacon of light in an otherwise dismal earnings report
Mazda has just released its second-quarter earnings reports, and it’s not pretty. The company posted an operating loss of $502 million and sales, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, were down 21 percent to just 578,000 units worldwide. Deep inside the … Continue reading
Happy Japan Railway Day from JNC
On October 14, 1872, Japan’s first railway opened, connecting Shimbashi, Tokyo and Yokohama. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism designated the day an official holiday in in 1994. Today, Japan is home to one of the most advanced … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Mazda is giving away fifty 100th Anniversary Miatas to deserving heroes
It’s been a tough year, but Mazda is trying to make it just a little bit better by giving away 50 Miatas to deserving individuals. These are people Mazda describes as “selfless” and who have “gone above and beyond for … Continue reading
The Mazda rotary will return in 2022 as a range extender
Mazda’s dream of reviving the rotary engine is finally coming true. In a Japanese presentation about the hybrid MX-30, CEO Akira Marumoto announced that Mazda will introduce “multi-electrification technology using a rotary engine” in the first half of 2022. While … Continue reading
Happy 929 Day from JNC
The HC-generation Mazda 929 is oft forgotten, but Mazda’s ads at the time positioned it as a luxury sedan that could deliver better performance than the European brands for two-thirds the price. Come to think of it, that’s also their … Continue reading
Here are all the references to past Z-cars on the Nissan Z Proto
Now that we’ve had some time to digest the Z Proto, let’s take a look at what Nissan has given us. In the company’s own words, the Z Proto is mostly a design statement. So, we can’t really speculate any … Continue reading
Posted in Design
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 400Z, Alfonso Albaisa, datsun, fairlady z, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, s30 z, Z Proto, Z35
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Mazda classics take a lap at Tsukuba Circuit during a 4-hour Roadster enduro
Many automotive journalists don’t even own cars. Why do that when you are supplied by a never-ending stream of press loaners that show up in your driveway every week? However, if you were to poll all the journalists, you’d probably … Continue reading
Here’s what Mitsubishi is forsaking by killing the Pajero
So Mitsubishi is killing off what is arguably its most iconic model. No, not the Lancer Evo, a specialty sports sedan made for select first world markets. We’re talking about the Pajero, a rugged off-roader sold in 170 countries, that … Continue reading
100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 02
Mazda turned 100 years old earlier this year, and to mark this very special occasion we went in search of what makes this small Hiroshima carmaker so unique. In the previous installment of our retrospective, we examined Mazda’s origin story … Continue reading
Posted in 100 Year Club
Tagged 323, 626, 717C, capella, familia, le mans, mazda, mazdaspeed, rx-3, rx-7, sa22c, savanna, wrc
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Happy 626 Day from JNC
The Mazda 626 was known as the Capella in Japan, and though it had some really trick technology on it, it was mostly remembered as a fairly middle-of-the-road compact in the US. However, if you were in Japan, you could … Continue reading
The Lexus GS could have been so much more, but it was the right car for the time
Now that we know the Lexus GS is not long for this world, it’s time to reflect on what it meant. In the US it was seen mostly as a middle-tier luxury sedan, a competent but unassuming rebadged Japanese Toyota … Continue reading
100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 01
Exactly 100 years ago today, on January 30, 1920, Toyo Cork Kogyo was founded. This company, whose name translates to Oriental Cork Industries, would go on to build cars under the name Mazda. Thus, today marks the 100th anniversary of … Continue reading
NEWS: Rotary engine may race again at Le Mans
Rotaries are returning to Le Mans, at least in the rule books. According to the most recent technical regulations for the Le Mans Hypercar category approved and released by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, rotary engines may power the machines in … Continue reading
They’ve gone to plaid: You can now buy reproduction plaid fabric for the first-gen Mazda RX-7
Design patterns covering kyusha interiors fall into a special category of obsession for us. Who can resist the finely embossed crests in vinyl headrests, or the colorful swirls in 80s upholsteries? Unfortunately, these surfaces tend to be points of major … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda’s official Miata restoration parts now available in the US
If you’re an NA MX-5 Miata owner in the US in search of hard-to-find factory parts to restore your beloved roadster, search no more. Mazda USA just released a full list of restoration parts available through your dealer, including reproduction … Continue reading
Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda MX-30 subtly references history, may signal return of rotary engine
Mazda just unveiled the MX-30 at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show. A battery electric cross over coupe, the newest member of the MX family will be Mazda’s first production electric car. It also comes with a surprise call-out to the … Continue reading
