Daily Archives: March 13, 2016
Mazda To Debut MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top
Sources have been abuzz that Mazda will introduce during the New York Auto Show later this month a Power Retractable Hard Top version of its MX-5 Miata.
Mazda has confirmed already that there are plans to unveil a new model during the auto show, but no details have been released regarding the said launch. What the company did say is that it would be a “world premiere” and that the car will “blow the lid off.”
With such a description, it may be safe to assume that a retractable hard top is on its way for the MX-5 Miata, currently in its fourth generation and is only available as a soft-top convertible.
This was quite a curious move for Mazda since other models have already offered both a soft-top and hard-top retractable roof. There was even one with a fixed roof.
To say that the company is simply bowing down to measure is quite an understatement. It has a valid, logical reason as to why it would introduce a retractable hard top. Since its introduction back in 2007, the variants with the PRHT have created huge following in the Miata family.
Mazda said that the hard top variant would be lighter than the ones fitted on previous models. This would, of course, help in the speed and power of the Miata. It would also provide a more compact look, and would free up extra cargo capacity.
Although the top would most likely add a bit of a weight to the roadster, this would still be popular for people living in the colder part of the world.
Under the hood, the same would probably be found in the MX-5 Miata—a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine at 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed automatic unit.
More details would be revealed at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned.
2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 Is Simply Badass
Can we just stop for a while to take in how badass the 2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 is? Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar, its parts division, teamed up to create one-off concept vehicles for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah from March 19 to 27.
This year, according to TopSpeed, Jeep churned out seven concept vehicles ready for Moab’s tough trails. But 2016 is no ordinary year for the company as it is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jeep Safari, as well as the company’s 75th anniversary—with beginnings originating from World War II. Over the years, concepts for the Easter Jeep Safari have paid tribute to the maker’s wartime history.
This year, the Jeep Crew Chief 715, designed to recall the Kaiser M715 US Military Truck, will do the honors. The Kaiser M715 was produced between 1967 and 1969, and was based off the Jeep Gladiator pickup.
The Crew Chief 715 based its concept from Wrangler Unlimited with slight changes thanks to Jeep and Mopar engineers, designers and fabricators. Mopar used both dealership-available and prototype pieces for the Crew Chief.
In the past, Jeep used these concepts to test new accessories future productions would have. There’s no telling for sure what will end up in the parts catalogue, but chances are big these concepts would feature some of the major additions there.
Every year since 2002, thousands of Jeep enthusiasts trek to Moab to take part or even just to watch the Jeep Safari. This year, expect more to flock as the new concept are intriguingly going to be part of a host of production Jeep vehicles in the future.
Surely, the attraction of seven new concepts would attract the biggest gathering of Jeep enthusiasts. The event, by the way, is open to the public, so better check out those schedules right now.
Check out some photos of the new Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept below:
2016 Honda Civic Coupe Starts At $19,885
Honda traditionally gives its Coupe buyers a bit of a discount for halving the number of doors, but that stops now. The new 2016 Honda Civic Coupe will start at $19,885 for the base LX trim with a six-speed manual transmission according to CarAndDriver.
To be blunt, that’s $410 higher than the 2016 Civic sedan LX manual. The price difference might not be that high but Honda has taken a different step here in pricing the coupe more than the sedan.
Well, to be fair to Honda, the two models aren’t similar exactly. The coupe will sport the standard alloy wheels while the sedan LX will make do with steel wheels and wheel covers.
Both come with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and if you want the CVT automatic option, it would add $800 to the LX coupe’s and sedan’s standard lines. This is another new step for Honda since other coupe trims offer only a CVT.
As you move up the range of the coupe and the sedan, the prices would vary since the trim-level structure isn’t exactly similar to that of the sedan. The coupe’s exclusive LX-P trim starts at $21,684 and includes passive entry, remote start, push button ignition, as well as a sunroof.
The coupe EX-T, on the other hand, has turbocharged engine, heated seats and other features for $23,135, or $100 more than the EX-T sedan. The EX-L coupe, which costs $24,260 or $275 less than the EX-L sedan, also includes leather seats.
If you opt for the coupe, you won’t be getting as a standalone option the Honda Sensing active-safety features, which costs $1,000. Also, systems such as the adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and lane-keep assist would only be available on the top-trim Civic coupe Touring, which is priced at $26,960.
The Civic coupe will be available starting next week on March 15. Honda will also launch an online configuration tool for the couple.