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By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup.
- Through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms, aim to reduce the weight of new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more, from 2011.
- Unique Smart Idle Stop System to be introduced in 2009 with fast, quiet restart.
- Mazda to introduce a more advanced version of the unique Three Layer Wet Paint System in 2009.
- Mazda aims to have carbon neutral bioplastics ready for use in vehicles by 2013.

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it is setting its sights on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average 30 percent by 2015. This determined commitment will entail a holistic approach which includes using lightweight technologies, the upgrade of almost all of Mazda’s gasoline engines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide. By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup and, from 2011, through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more.

Mazda is driven by its long-term vision to provide all its customers with first-rate environmental and safety features as well as driving pleasure. This means that Mazda owners are assured of driving cars that continue to provide the fun-to-drive feeling that will keep them coming back for more, while still having the peace of mind that their Mazda is environmentally-friendly and safe to drive.

But, this focus on the environment is not a new concept for Mazda. In the seven years from 2001 to 2008, the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold in the Japanese market increased by approximately 30 percent. In 1991, the company embarked on a long-term project to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen technology, thereby participating in the search for sustainable transportation solutions, which still continues today.

Mazda saw its hydrogen powertrain efforts progress positively forward in June 2008 when the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid received the green light from the Japanese government to begin testing on public roads. The Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid (known as the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in Japan) offers 40 percent more power and an extended hydrogen driving range of 200 kilometers. It will be available for commercial lease in Japan during the 2008 fiscal year. And, Mazda is already progressing well with the development of an all-new Hydrogen RE vehicle with dynamic performance equivalent to a 3.0-liter gasoline engine and a hydrogen range of 400 kilometers.

The next technological milestone for Mazda will be the introduction of the mass production version of its proprietary Smart Idle Stop System into one of its cars in 2009.

Mazda’s is the only idle stop system in the world that restarts the engine from idle by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to force the piston down, enabling a fast and quiet restart as well as an improvement in fuel economy by up to seven-to-eight percent. Demonstrating the extent of Mazda’s flexible R&D capability in developing alternative environmentally-friendly technologies, the system will initially appear in Japan and Europe; however, it will be rolled out worldwide.

Mazda’s future powertrain line-up has much to excite current and future Mazda customers. In 2009, an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine will be introduced into the Northern European and North American markets. From 2011 onwards, with new gasoline engines will incorporate next generation Direct Injection Spark Ignition and other systems to boost power by 15 to 20 percent and improve fuel economy by approximately 20 percent.

Beginning in 2011, Mazda plans to introduce new diesel engines worldwide that meet the strictest future exhaust gas regulations in each market. These engines will feature next generation direct injection technology, turbocharging systems and NOx reduction technology, which will enhance fuel economy by 20 percent and produce cleaner exhaust gases, while still providing a true Zoom-Zoom experience.

A fundamental part of Mazda’s heritage, the gasoline rotary engine, will be substantially upgraded in the early 2010s. Currently referred to as the 16X, the next rotary engine will offer substantially improved performance and economy through use of Direct Injection Spark Ignition and high-speed combustion technology, enfolded in new rotary dimensions.

Mazda’s environmental efforts are not only focused on its cars. The plants in which they are built have also received a lot of attention to ensure that they contribute to a sustainable future.

In FY2007, the volume of CO2 emissions from production activities in Japan was reduced by 15.4 percent compared to FY1990 levels. Expressed as CO2 emissions volume per unit of revenue, the reduction was 24 percent.

In 2005, Mazda was the first auto manufacturer to introduce a Three Layer Wet Paint System which reduces VOC emissions by 45 percent and CO2 emissions by 15 percent. Mazda now plans to introduce a more advanced version of this unique Paint System in 2009 as it finalizes the development of an innovative water-based paint technology that reduces VOC emissions by a further 57 percent without increasing CO2 emissions. Producing around 25 percent fewer CO2 emissions than common water-based paint, this new technology is intended to make Mazda’s paint shops the cleanest in the world.

Mazda is also making itself known in the area of carbon neutral bioplastics. Developed in collaboration with government, industry and academia, Mazda intends to expand the applications of this new source of eco-friendly material. Already, bioplastics are used in the new Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and, in June 2008, Mazda commenced the Mazda Bioplastic Project to develop a bioplastic made from non-food-based cellulosic biomass. The project aims to have the bioplastic ready for use in vehicles by 2013.

M’s been the word for supreme performance in the BMW lexicon for 30 years and 300,000 unique and exclusive vehicles.

In motoring terms, BMW M GmbH defines the concept of a halo brand. M cars account for around one percent of all BMW Group products sold, yet the image of BMW M is so much greater. Even now, after three decades, driving a car boasting the M logo remains an exclusive experience.

The 300,000th M car, an Alpine White BMW M3 Coupé was handed over to a customer in Regensburg recently. This East Bavarian town is also the location of the BMW plant in which the high-performance sportscar is produced.

What began as an experimental division dedicated to Motorsport has become one of the most admired and imitated in the premium automotive segment. In 1978, BMW was alone in forging the M brand (in the guise of BMW Motorsport GmbH), when the M1 supercar was born.

The tremendous success of the BMW M GmbH began with this limited run production car, a mid-engine racer, featuring a straight six-cylinder power unit used in the newly founded ProCar series.

To comply with homologation requirements, a road-going version powered by a 204 kW engine was also built. This now famous supercar was honoured with a one-off Homage car to celebrate its 30th anniversary, introduced to the world at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008 at Lake Como.

At its launch, the BMW M1 was Germany’s fastest series production sports car. In all, 445 BMW M1 cars were produced between 1978 and 1981, one of them immortalised as a BMW Art Car by Andy Warhol.

In the years following, BMW firmed its M philosophy into becoming the home of high-performance cars suitable for everyday driving, delivering punchy performance in a discretely enhanced body, but with power train and suspension technology directly inspired by motor racing.

The first BMW M5 came with a 210 kW straight six-cylinder engine. Thanks to its performance and understated silhouette, this sedan was extremely popular amongst business travellers.

Two years later, a further M model laid the foundation stone for a new vehicle category.

The BMW M3, ancestor of the current fourth model generation, caused a stir both on the road and on the racetrack. It is the most successful touring car ever utilised in motor sports, also becoming a huge commercial success within a very short time, with sales of 17,000 examples.

To date, the M3 is still the biggest single model in the M family, accounting for 180,000 sales.

In the first 10 years of life BMW M sold around 35,000 cars. In 1994, BMW M sold 10,000 cars in one year for the first time.
Since then, record sales figures have been achieved consistently, with sales of all BMW M GmbH models continuing to rise further with each new generation. Worldwide purchases of the new BMW M3 alone exceeded 4,000 in the first four months of the 2008 – even before the market launch of the BMW M3 Convertible and the new M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic.

The USA is the most important market for BMW M cars, and on the European continent the high-performance sports cars are much coveted in the UK, Germany and Italy.

Currently BMW M offers nine individual models, all featuring high-revving engines.

The BMW Z4 M Roadster and the BMW Z4 M Coupé boast a straight six-cylinder with 252 kW, the BMW M5, and the BMW M5 Touring, the BMW M6 Coupé and the BMW M6 Convertible all feature a 373 kW V10 engine. Both power units are series winners of the “International Engine of the Year Awards” (the Engine Oscars), which the new 309 kW V8 engine utilised in the BMW M3 was also able to seize in its category this year.

• First M3 Convertible to feature a Retractable Hard-Top roof.
• Powered by International Engine of the Year category winner.
• New V8 engine is lighter than the outgoing six-cylinder unit.
• First BMW to offer new M double-clutch transmission.
• M3 Convertible the fastest yet with 0-100 km/h in 5.1 s.

The New BMW M3 Convertible blasts its way into Australia optionally equipped with the very first double clutch transmission designed for a high revving V8 engine.

Compared with the two previous generations of the M3 Convertibles offered in Australia the new E93 generation boasts a Retractable Hard-Top, 4.0-litre V8 engine and manual six-speed gearbox as standard.

Mechanically identical to the hugely popular M3 Coupé, which was introduced last October, and voted Car of the Year by drive.com.au in December 2007, the new BMW M3 Convertible also introduces the new seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic. This advanced, electronically controlled transmission is available in the M3 Coupé from next month.

The new generation BMW M V8 engine was awarded Best Engine in the 3.0 - 4.0-litre class by the global judging panel of the International Engine of the Year Awards 2008.

The New BMW M3 Convertible has been designed from the ground up as an open-top four-seater equipped with supercar performance and everyday driveability.

The 309 kW V8 engine produces 400 Nm of torque and sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds in the six-speed manual transmission guise, while the double-clutch gearbox with its seven speeds and seamless gear shifting allows this sprint time to be reduced to an amazing 5.1 seconds.

The Formula One inspired V8 engine comfortably exceeds the BMW M division’s internal 100 bhp per litre target, and has a 10 percent better power to weight ratio than its E46 generation predecessor, the previous benchmark open-top sports convertible.

The new M3 Convertible produces more than twice the power of the original 1988 E30 model (not sold in Australia), yet the spirit and design philosophy remains the same.

While the original E30 M3 Convertible was the epitome of exclusivity, greater numbers of successive generations have been sold as the word spread about how much fun the M3 Convertible was to drive. Thus around 13,000 examples of the E36 generation M3 Convertible were built, increasing to 30,000 copies in the E46 generation.

EfficientDynamics at the performance end of the market.
The new M3 Convertible is both more fuel efficient and produces less C02 than its predecessor, despite this breathtaking V8 performance. In typical BMW style, running costs and emissions are kept to a minimum. The New BMW M3 Convertible returns 12.9 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle (12.3 litres per 100 km for the double-clutch gearbox).

Transmission champ.
A new option for all M3 buyers is BMW’s new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (M-DCT). Offering drivers the chance to enjoy seamless gearshifts with no interruption in power delivery, this state-of-the-art transmission is so efficient that it outperforms the manual gearbox car in terms of acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.

Lifting the lid.
The new BMW M3 Convertible is the first M car to feature a Retractable Hard-Top as standard. The electro-hydraulic roof is fully automatic and can be lowered in just 22 seconds. The M3 Convertible is also fitted with SunReflective leather, allowing owners to leave the top down for extended periods without the risk of the seat leather overheating. SunReflective leather was initially developed by BMW Motorrad to keep motorbike riders cool in hot climes. The surface temperature of the upholstery can remain up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler than conventional leather.

Chassis.
Underneath the M3 Convertible’s muscular torso lies a chassis and suspension system tailor-made for the demanding requirements of an open-top car. Torsional rigidity has been significantly improved over the previous model, while the suspension has been fine-tuned to take into account the specific weight distribution of a convertible.

Safety.
The combination of a strong structure and advanced occupant restraint systems means the BMW M3 Convertible offers the highest possible standards of passive and active safety for occupants. Like the 3-Series Convertible, the M3 version is equipped with a rollover sensor system that constantly monitors the vertical and horizontal movement of the car. If the sensors (which are located in the centre of the car, on the B pillars and in the doors) detect that a rollover is imminent, roll bars located behind the rear headrests pop up. At the same time, the front seatbelt pre-tensioners are activated and the head/thorax airbags are deployed.

Marketing.
“At BMW we understand the strong lure of the M badge for our most passionate customers,” said Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing, BMW Group Australia.

“This latest car underscores our competitive advantage in the marketplace. It is the only performance car of its type to feature innovations such as a high-revving engine, a Retractable Hard-Top and the benefits of SunReflective leather.

“The M3 Convertible is a sublime product and one of the best from BMW M. It will be hugely satisfying for both our existing M3 Convertible owners as well as newcomers to the BMW M brand.

“Undoubtedly, one of the biggest thrills will be hearing that V8 M engine on full song. Given Australians’ love affair with V8 engines, we know the new BMW M3 Convertible has been eagerly awaited. Now the fun starts,” he said.

“The M3 Convertible will appeal to buyers who want to combine the performance and peerless engineering of a traditional M car with the unique driving experience of an open-top car. With its vast array of new technology and Formula One-inspired engineering – including the option of the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission – the M3 Convertible’s appeal is wider than ever. It’s as close as a BMW owner can get to a Formula One experience.

“We are sure the introduction of the Retractable Hard-Top will broaden the
M3 Convertible’s potential customer base. With its coupé-matching refinement, excellent visibility and improved practicality, the Convertible will be on the shopping lists of many who may have eschewed a canvas-roof car previously,” Tom said.

The M3 Convertible arrives in BMW dealers next month for demonstration purposes, with the first customer deliveries in the final quarter of the year, perfectly timed for summer.

Hoping to spur the auto industry to adopt a greater competitive spirit in addressing the issue of global climate change, Honda (http://www.honda.com) has adopted “Racing to Green Mobility” as the theme for the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress. Honda is the host company for the 2009 World Congress, to be held April 20-23, 2009 at Cobo Center in Detroit.
Honda is also pleased to welcome Bosch Group to the important role as the Tier 1 Strategic partner for the 2009 SAE World Congress. Bosch will provide support and resources to Honda and SAE throughout the planning and execution process, as well as engaging actively on-site during the Congress.
“Racing to Green Mobility is a challenge to the industry and to each of us as individual engineers to act and take responsibility for a goal we all share - ensuring the survival of our planet,” said Masaaki Kato, president of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. and the chairman of the 2009 World Congress. “Through SAE the entire industry can work together even as we compete against one another to address our common goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.”
“Racing to Green Mobility” is a theme intended to make the 2009 SAE World Congress an important platform for the world’s automotive engineers to share their best thinking and to encourage one another to create new technologies and products to help realize a greener and more sustainable future for our industry and society.
“We are pleased to welcome Bosch, a company dedicated to innovation, as our Tier 1 Strategic Partner in the race to green mobility,” said Kato.
Honda is hoping to help boost the 2009 World Congress by encouraging the presentation of more technical papers and booths at the event. Honda revealed that it plans to present more than 50 technical papers at next year’s World Congress, many related to the advancement of Honda environmental technologies.
Honda is globally committed to minimizing air emissions from its products and factories. Honda is working to achieve its goals by reducing CO2 emissions by improving the energy efficiency of Honda manufacturing plants and by improving the fuel efficiency of its automobile, powersports and power equipment products. Honda’s legacy of environmental leadership includes a long list of industry firsts, including the world’s first low-emission vehicles, America’s first gasoline-electric hybrid car, and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In 2007,