The Frankfurt Motor Show, officially the Internationaler Automobil-Ausstellungen (IAA), is known by all car enthusiasts and specialists to be Europe’s biggest car show. It is a much-sought after event for automotive aficionados, as well as a much-prepared exhibit for car brands, as this is the event where top car companies showcase their worth through the latest model cars and concepts for the future. Indeed, its prestige and preparations attributes are so high up, that like a rare astrological event, this Frankfurt show only takes place every two years.

Japanese automaker Mazda, for their part, came well-equipped in the show as it unveils its second generation Mazda 6. Mazda engineers and representatives are accommodating enough to emphasize that substantial enhancements and improvements were imparted to this new Mazda 6, from its aesthetic values to the performance factors.

In terms of structural attributes, this new Mazda 6 is inches taller and wider compared to its classic predecessor. This latest version also boasts of a longer wheelbase, resulting to a more space-friendly cabin and a more stable ride quality.

Reference to its characteristic performance, this new Mazda version converts from a hydraulic power steering unit into a high-grade electric system coupled with a much larger front disc brakes. Whereas the Mazda 6 on exhibit is powered with a new 2.5liter unit equivalent to 170 horsepower, consumers are given the option to acquire one with a 140-hp 2.0liter turbodiesel or improved 1.8liter and 2.0liter gas units.

Security measures are hardly neglected as previous safety devices in the classic Mazda is also integrated in this next generation model. Still present are the antilock brakes with electronic assist and the traction and stability control. These are then partnered with the newly-installed safety gadgets in the forms of adaptive lighting, parking sensors, and active head restraints.

The new Mazda 6 is slated to whiz through European roads again as a sedan, hatchback, and wagon.

Mazda Motor Corporation has just recently informed that it had improved its hip and sporty Mazda Premacy line of models in Japan. These redesigned models for Mazda’s performance compact minivan are now available at all Mazda Anfini, Mazda, and Mazda Autozam dealers. The Premacy is introduced to other countries as the Mazda5 and the Japanese automaker’s target sales volume for this model is 1,800 vehicle units a month.

The improvements and upgrades that were made to the Premacy were for Mazda’s “Communicative and Dynamic” product concept. It has an electronically controlled five-speed automatic gearbox and this is situated in all front-wheel-drive (FWD) grades. Also all models have been provided with the sequential valve timing or S-VT. These changes have resulted into the improvement of power and also fuel efficiency and top class emissions. Mazda has also improved the model’s suspension system in order to have a more stable ride and greater comfort.

There are new body parts installed like the bold front end, and they give the redesigned Premacy range a more sporty and stylish exterior. The interior features sport an improved instrument panel and modified layout to heighten the redefined image. Seven new body colors have also been made available such as the Golden Sand Metallic.

The suggested retail price of Mazda for its redesigned Mazda Premacy is between 1,768,000 to 2,355,000 yen (including consumption tax).

Features of the Redesigned Mazda Premacy include the following:

For its exterior, the front design has been modified to create a smooth, clean line that links the hood to the bumper, and newly-designed headlights highlight the Premacy’s refined expression. The quality of the premium model grades has been heightened through LED indicator lights embedded in the door mirrors, and LED rear combination lights.

The interior features an instrument panel and layout that have been redesigned. It has blacked out dials and highly visible white illumination has been added to raise quality and render a more dynamic interior design. The interior colors and seat fabric have been changed for different model grades, creating a more stylish and individual expression.

In terms of dynamics, the use of sequential valve timing (S-VT) has been expanded to enhance the performance of the well-established 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter MZR engines. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) models have also been equipped with an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. These upgrades provide reassuring torque and linear acceleration to make daily driving more satisfying.

Its environmental efficiency has also been enhanced because its fuel economy has been improved by adopting S-VT in addition to an electronic throttle and electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. All FWD models with the 2.0-liter MZR engine meet Japan’s 2010 fuel economy standards plus 10%, making them eligible for Japan’s Green Tax exemptions. Both the FWD and four-wheel-drive (4WD) model grades now qualify as Super-Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SU-LEV), achieving exhaust emissions that are 75 percent or lower than the levels required by the Japanese government’s 2005 exhaust emissions regulations.

Mazda is one of the leading automakers today. The company has actually been operating since 1920 and is currently based in Hiroshima, Japan. In the year 2006, Mazda expected to produce 1.25 million vehicles per year, with sales evenly divided among Japan, Europe, Australia, and North America, followed by Latin America.

Mazda initially began as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. In 1927, Toyo Cork Kogyo renamed itself to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. The company then moved from manufacturing machine tools to vehicles, with the introduction of the Mazda-Go in 1931. It wasn’t until in 1984 that the company formally adopted the Mazda name, though every automobile sold from the beginning bore that name. The first four-wheel car, the Mazda R360 was introduced in 1960, followed by the Mazda Carol in 1962.

The Ford Motor Company owned 15% of Mazda, and increased its stake to a 33.4% controlling interest on March 31, 1999 after Mazda fell into financial crisis. Ford executive Mark Fields is credited with Mazda’s turnaround. Ford has based many of its models on Mazdas, such as the Probe, late model Escort and Mercury Tracer, and the co-developed Escape/Mazda Tribute.

Mazda also helped Ford develop the 1991 Explorer, which Mazda sold as the 2-door only Mazda Navajo between 1991-1994. Mazda has also used Ford’s Ranger pickup as the basis for its North American-market B-Series trucks, starting in 1994 and continuing today. These trucks are manufactured in the US. They now use a Mazda-sourced 2.3L I4 instead of the old Ford Lima 2.3L I4. Both 3.0L and 4.0L Ford V6s are available, as is 4-wheel drive and a 4-door.

The 1979 deal paved way for Ford selling badge-engineered Mazdas in Asia and Australia, such as the Laser and Telstar. These models replaced the models from Ford Europe which sold throughout the 1970s. Ford also used the Mazda models to establish its own retail presence in Japan.

Presently, Mazda is striving not only to be a great car manufacturer but also as a responsible corporate citizen. The representative director and president, Hisakazu Imaki said they live by the motto, “Developing the people that make the products”. By December of 1999, Mazda have established a new corporate vision comprising of Vision, Mission and Value. Each element geared on producing great service and better automotive products.