A Mazda MX-5 On Steroids: Australia’s V8 Engined Bullet Roadster

In the late ‘90s, Australian John Bettini unleashed onto the word the Bullet Roadster. What begin life as a heavily modified Mazda MX-5 with an RX-7 13B powerplant gradually evolved into a V8-engined monster like the one you see here that we found for sale in Queensland, Australia.

According to the seller, this was the fifth Bullet Roadster built and the first V8-engined one to roll out of the company’s then new Chinderah, NSW factory. It’s all hearsay, of course, but I’m willing to believe the words of a 62yo motoring enthusiast with arthritic knees. So here goes...

Bullet No. 5 was a special order from a man named George Covacic who supplied a 4.6-liter all-alloy, fuel injected V8 crate motor along with a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission and the differential from a Holden Commodore SS. Like all Bullet supercars, the brakes and suspension came from the Mazda RX-7.

Standard equipment extended to 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, power window and an Alpine CD stereo sound system – flash for a car built in the late ‘90s. All cars also got leather and a Momo steering wheel, shift knob and drilled pedals.

This particular example, which has done a paltry 16,107 km (10,008 miles), is finished in “Grace Green” with a black leather interior.

It’s fully registered and roadworthy, and at “just” AU$44,000 (US$46,191) is more than half the price it was when it was new (AU$98,000 / US$102,880). Check out the seller’s gallery of the V8-powered Miata below.

By Tristan Hankins

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Mazda, Honda Suspend U.S. Orders for Japan-Made Models

Mazda has suspended all US orders for cars built in Japan as the carmaker is preparing to shut down its plants once again after a short reopening period. According to the automaker’s American spokesman Jay Amestoy, the decision will affect shipments of cars that were due to arrive in the U.S. in May. The Mazda official added that it was uncertain when normal activity will resume.

Mazda USA imports almost all its range from the Japan, except the U.S.-built Mazda6 and Tribute. The models produced in Japan are the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5 / Miata, RX-8, CX7 and CX9. Mazda halted production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants from March 14 through March 21, but three days ago, it resumed temporary production using parts it had in its inventory.

Starting from Monday, however, the factories will be shut down once again. Mazda says its U.S. sales won't be affected since its American subsidiary has enough cars in stock. In 2010, Mazda imported from Japan 83 percent of the cars sold in the U.S.

Honda also announced this week that it suspended U.S. dealer orders for vehicles imported from Japan, including the Fit, CR-V, Insight, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Acura TSX and Acura RL. Nissan said it would reduce its planned allocation for May by half, with the other half to be released when its Japanese factories confirm the vehicles will be ready. Toyota and Mitsubishi have not suspended dealer orders.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Autonews

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Mazda Continues Rollout of Special Edition MX-5s with Kendo Model for the UK Market

Named after “The way of the Sword”, which is said to be a form of modern Japanese martial art, the MX-5 Kendo is the latest special edition model to be released by Mazda to celebrate the 900,000 units produced since the introduction of the first MX-5 in 1989. The MX-5 Kendo has been created for the UK market and will be available from March 1 in two forms, the MX-5 1.8i Kendo soft-top priced at £19,255 and the more powerful MX-5 2.0i Kendo roadster coupe with a £22,320 price tag.

Both variants are based on the local-market SE derivatives and feature a unique Stone Leather interior with matching colored stitching on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels, exterior badging and floor mats, plus front fog lamps, heated seats, brushed aluminium style-bar trim and aluminium pedals.

In addition, the Kendo Roadster Coupe comes with three extra items of equipment, including a premium BOSE audio system, Bluetooth hands-free and cruise control. Both Kendo models offer a choice of Sparkling Black or Dolphin Grey mica paint finish – free of charge.

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New Mazda MX-5 Special Edition Comes to the States, will Debut in Chicago

Earlier today, we told you about the Australian market Mazda MX-5 Special Edition featuring a sports suspension kit and some exclusive styling touches. Well, we now learn that the same model will be offered in the States in a limited run of 750 units, albeit at a much lower price as the U.S. version starts at $30,925 with a manual transmission, and $31,525 when equipped with the six-speed Sport AT automatic. That's compared to US$47,800 for the Aussie market model.

The Special Edition is based off of a fully-equipped Grand Touring model with the retractable hard top, and is available only in two new colors, Sparkling Black Mica or Dolphin Gray Mica. It rides on 17-inch Bright Finish aluminum alloy wheels.

Inside, the limited run version of the MX-5 gets gray door trim and heated leather seats with gray stitching, a black leather-wrapped parking brake and steering wheel with contrasting gray stitching, chrome treatments to the air vents and instrument cluster, plus aluminum pedals when equipped with a manual gearbox.

The most important addition is the Suspension package, which is optional on the Touring and Grand Touring model, and includes Bilstein shocks, a limited slip differential (LSD) and a sport-tuned suspension.

Power for the Limited Edition comes from the standard 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four with 167-horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda has not yet released a launch date for the limited edition MX-5, but we assume that it will be available shortly after its debut at this week's Chicago Auto Show.

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