Every once in a while we stumble upon a design project that we’d really like to see making it into production. Such is the case of the Mazda Yuuga Coupe that was penned by Swansea Metropolitan University automotive design graduate, Imran Ali, and exhibited at the 2009 Degree Show in July at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, UK. The Yuuga is a sleek looking four-seater coupe inspired by Mazda’s conceptual and production-model design language but does away with the firm’s ‘smiley face’ grille.

We don’t know if Imran Ali designed the Yuuga as a front-wheel drive coupe based on the Mazda6 or as a more premium and sportier rear-wheel drive model that could enhance the Japanese automaker’s RX sports car range, but either way we’re intrigued by the result.

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In: Carscoop

The Japanese market version of the Mazda5 MPV, which continues to be named Premacy, has received a small number of upgrades for the 2010 model year. In particular, the range topping 20Z model grade comes with newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels and fresh seat and door trims while Mazda also introduced the Dark Plum Mica exterior finish pictured on the Premacy above.

Changes for the rest of the range include the addition of two new exterior colors, newly designed fabric seat and door trims, an upgraded trip computer that includes a fuel economy gauge as standard equipment and a glossy piano black trim for the center stack.

The subtly updated Premacy goes on sale in Japan today with prices for the front wheel drive models ranging from 1,820,000 to 2,195,000 yen.

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Mazda has announced the domestic market launch of its all-new Axela which is known elsewhere as the Mazda3. In Japan, the newest version of the ’3′ is offered with two body styles, a four door sedan and a five-door hatchback powered by 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four cylinder gasoline engines that can be hooked up to a CVT or 4/5-speed automatic transmissions (depending on the version). Nothing exciting here, but unlike Western markets where the Mazda3 is offered exclusively with front-wheel drive, Japanese buyers can opt for an all-wheel drive system.

At the top of the range is the Japanese equivalent of the MazdaSpeed3 (Mazda3 MPS for Europeans), called the MazdaSpeed Axela. It comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four with power being transferred to the front-wheels (no AWD option here) through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Japanese automaker said that suggested retail prices including sales tax for the new Axela range from 1,660,000 to 2,678,000 yen or about $17k to $27.5k at today’s exchange rates. Mazda’s target sales volume for the Japanese market is around 2,000 units per month.

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With the Geneva Motor Show just hours away, Mazda has released additional details about their new 2010 Mazda3 MPS. The front-wheel drive model adopts the Mazda3′s latest design language and is motivated by an upgraded version of the company’s MZR 2.3-liter DISI turbo petrol engine.

Among the major styling changes is the addition of a new hood mounted air intake for the intercooler, MPS exclusive front fender and bumper designs, bi-xenon headlamps and sporty black exterior trim accents. Other styling elements include a large rear spoiler, clear LED taillights, and exclusive 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels which feature a design similar to that used on the Mazda RX-8.

Inside, the new model adopts a far more premium appearance compared to the previous generation. Changes to the cabin include a new LED turbo boost gauge, exclusive black and red upholstery, and red stitching applied to the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and center armrest.

Power comes from Mazda’s four-cylinder MZR 2.3-liter DISI turbocharged petrol engine which produces 191 kW (260 PS) and 380 Nm of torque. Performance figures for the new model include a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Despite the added power, fuel economy improves as the new Mazda3 MPS is rated to consume 9.7L/100 km, a 0.5L/100 km improvement over the previous generation.

As expected the new model comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, additional chassis reinforcements for improved body rigidity, a unique sports tuned suspension, electro-hydraulic power assisted steering, and high-performance brakes.

Source: Mazda via netcarshow