Fleets are in for a residual value bonus if they choose the new Mazda6 ‘Business Line’ model, according to latest data from used car experts at CAP. The 2.2-litre diesel five-door hatchback, which is available to order now, will retain 34 percent of its £18,130 P11D value - on-the-road list price is £18,300 - at the benchmark three-year/60,000-mile threshold, according to CAP.  This is 4.5 percentage points above the average for its direct competitor set. The ‘Business Line’ model has been specifically launched for fleets and is available in one highly specified model with Sanyo TomTom® satellite navigation, Bluetooth® technology and 17-inch alloy wheels in addition to the standard model specification it shares. Commenting on the arrival of the new derivative of Mazda’s best-selling range into the UK fleet sector, Jeff Knight, editor of Monitor-Cars, CAP’s residual value guide, said: “Not only has Mazda launched a desirable model for company car drivers, it has succeeded in adding equipment which also has kerb appeal in the future used car market.

Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of its all-new Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday, 13 September.  The CX-5 is the first of a new generation of Mazda products that will adopt the full range of Mazda’s breakthrough SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and the new design theme, ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’. The Mazda CX-5, which evolves Mazda’s hallmark fun-to-drive character, will be progressively introduced to global markets from early 2012.  Developed around the full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY – including all-new Mazda gasoline and diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions, body and chassis – the CX-5 delivers precise handling responses and a high-quality ride, matched with outstanding environmental credentials and an advanced safety performance.

Inspired by the highly successful 275bhp Mazda MX-5 GT race car competing in the 2011 Britcar Production GTN Championship, Mazda has introduced two new ‘Black Limited Edition’ models – a Mazda MX-5 Sport Black and a Mazda2 Black – bringing a darker edge to Mazda’s model range. The success of the 850kg MX-5 GT race car is that is retains the same characteristics that make the road-going Mazda MX-5 a great handling, nimble and fun-to-drive roadster.  In its first year of racing the MX-5 GT has achieved two podiums and is currently third in class. The MX-5 GT race car continues to challenge convention, taking on the more powerful established race cars from Lotus, BMW and Ferrari.

Mazda released a facelift edition of its Demio in Japan. Besides the styling tweaks, Demio receives a new SkyActiv-G 1.3 L engine which generates 84 HP and 112 Nm of torque with a average fuel consumption of just 3.3 L / 100 km. The engine is also equipped with Start/Stop system.