2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

What you're looking up here is a Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, the Nissan equivalent of the third-generation Mazda Premacy that was launched in 2011. But now, for the 2014 Model Year, it comes with the same PE-VPS engine and the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that you get in the 2014 Mazda Premacy SKYACTIV. This means that it will still have the same JC08 Mode-rated fuel economy of 16.2kmpl as well!

PE-VPS engine

Mazda's SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission

There's also the top-of-the-line model for the Lafesta Highway Star called the SUPREMO and exclusive features for the Supermo model includes shift switch on the steering wheel, ASCD, automatic anti-glare rear view mirror, Jacquard leather, piano black paneling, 205/50R17 89V tire and 17-inch rims, side turn lamp, chrome door panels, and tailpipe finisher.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1309737/

When a car's gone skydiving for ad purposes....

We've seen car ads from all over the world doing exciting ways to please the crowd but nothing got us better than ads of cars skydiving.

This here is the debut commercial for the Mazda Premacy back in 1999 in Japan. Of course, the Premacy debuted in Japan in 1999 and the slogan was "Premacy Capsule". What you can see here is the Premacy gone skydiving but that's just special effects you can see. Yep, just special effects.

Anyway, when we say the advert for the new Toyota Spade, which is just a Porte with a different styling, this is what we saw...

This one's real, right. No special effects involved. The Toyota Spade just got dropped for some skydiving. PROFFESIONAL STUNT. DO NOT ATTEMPT, FOLKS. That gave us thinking, this Toyota Spade commercial we just saw kinda reminds us of Chevy Sonic's first skydiving...

Yep, that's that. Toyota took the idea from General Motors to drop the Spade from the sky just like what happened to the Chevy Sonic.

Now, if I were going to steal the idea from Clarkson's Duel DVD, where he dropped the Ford Scorpio and a coin to the surface, I would rather drop the first-generation Mazda Premacy, Toyota Spade, and the Chevy Sonic, to see who can fall but in order to do that, I have to be in Japan. For the first-generation Premacy, which was built from 1999 to 2005, I have to find one at the used car dealer, which sounds reasonable. For the Toyota Spade, as I said, it's available at Corolla and Netz dealerships for 1,450,000 Japanese Yen. For the Chevrolet Sonic, I have to find one at a Chevy dealer for 1,890,000 Japanese Yen.

Now, all I need now is some cranes to hang those three, no wait, have them bolted with a giant parachute and place it to the cargo plane. If all according to plan, I would want to see if these three did exactly as they did on these ads and find out which is the best skydiving car from the ads. This is a duel but it's not because it's three cars. See about that and I hope someone got my memo...He he he he....SPOILERS!

Barrage of modified Mazdas at SEMA 2011

2011 Mazda2 Turbo Concept

2011 Mazda 2 3D Carbon Concept

2011 Mazda MX-5 Super20

2011 Mazda MX-5 Spyder Concept

Mazda 5 Laguna Seca Raceway Support Vehicle

A barrage of modified versions of the Mazda Demio (Mazda 2), Mazda Roadster (Mazda MX-5), and the Mazda Premacy (Mazda 5) were showcased at the 2011 SEMA Show and we're impressed about the tuners behind these masterpieces showcased at the biggest convention of modified cars at Las Vegas!

Press Release:

Low-Emissions, Lightweight MX-5 Spyder and MAZDASPEED-Infused Turbo2 

Headline Mazda’s Lineup at Annual Automotive Aftermarket Trade Show -

LAS VEGAS (November 1, 2011) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is known for its Zoom-Zoom dynamism, which is evident in the brand’s lineup of distinct design and divine drivability, and brings to this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show a fleet of vehicles highlighting Mazda’s motorsports heritage, efficiency aspirations and daily-driver potential.

“There is no limit to one’s imagination and when applying that to the already dynamic design and punchy performance of Mazda vehicles, the end result is nothing short of a well-crafted vision,” said Derek Jenkins, director, MNAO Design. “And because the stock models are extraordinarily versatile, who’s to say some elements of these SEMA concepts can’t be ready for public consumption?”

MX-5 Spyder

Beloved worldwide as the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world, with a secure spot in Guinness World Records to boot, the MX-5 Miata is the vehicle motorsports enthusiasts love to drive on the weekday streets of suburbia and the weekend roads of race tracks nationwide. 

Well-known is the MX-5’s single-hand-operation soft-top and segment-best 12-second Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) that the MX-5 Spyder is a re-imagination of the roadster and features a sweeping, single-panel grenadine-red soft-top made by Haartz Corporation. Its design, a collaborative effort between MNAO Design and Magna Car Top Systems, offers an even lower slung stance of the MX-5 without sacrificing headroom. Fitted onto the roadster’s already sleek and sexy “look at me” body style, the MX-5 Spyder has been painted Stratosphere White and features a Yokohama rubber-and-rims set of AO48 225/45R17 performance tires matched with 17-inch, 10-spoke ADVAN RS wheels in Gun Metal Metallic. But as the adage goes, there is more than meets the eye.

Under the hood is where the vehicle’s exterior treat matches wits with an interior trick. Powered by Mazda’s ever-dependable MZR 2.0-liter engine, the MX-5 Spyder is fueled by BP’s isobutanol. The significance? The biofuel supports Mazda’s mantra of “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom,” which means crafting exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles that create minimal environmental impact. A testament to this philosophy is the Mazda/Dyson Racing entry in the American Le Mans Series. The #16 LMP1Lola vehicle features a turbocharged MZR-R 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, runs on isobutanol and beat competing larger-block V-12s to win the manufacturer, team and drivers championships for the 2011 racing season. Mazda also was given the Michelin® Green X® Challenge at the Baltimore Grand Prix, a distinction awarded to category cars that prove to be the “cleanest, fastest, most efficient” in the race.

Although similar to how ethanol is produced from agricultural feedstock, isobutanol does not compromise vehicle performance for the sake of fuel economy and can be added to the current fuel distribution infrastructure without requiring modifications in blending facilities, storage tanks and retail station pumps. Isobutanol’s compatibility with existing technology and infrastructures is a significant step toward meeting the demand in renewable fuels for transportation. 

Another fuel-saving, engine-efficient feature of the MX-5 Spyder is a lightweight lithium-ion racing battery made by Braille Battery. The lead-free advanced battery system is RoHS compliant and constructed of non-hazardous materials, has a high charge retention and offers a longer life cycle than comparable standard batteries. A Racing Beat header, intake and exhaust muffler as well as a MAZDASPEED coil over kit and Brembo brakes complete the vehicle’s mechanics.

The cabin area is accentuated by tanned Saddle black-leather seats with Aqua leather accents and Coal Ash suede inserts. Subtle Spider Silk Gray Metallic-colored trim pieces on the doors and dash panels tastefully adorn the mostly black interior, which is finished off with customized floor mats by Star West. A MAZDASPEED short-throw shifter adds a tasty reminder to the MX-5’s motorsports pedigree.

Turbo2

When introduced to the North American market in 2010, the Mazda2 was referred to as Zoom-Zoom Concentrated. The Turbo2 can almost be defined as Zoom-Zoom Concentrated, Extra Strength. Outfitted with a MAZDASPEED3 MZR 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine, the Turbo2 is as potent as it is practical. 

Start the engine and the subcompact cat doesn’t purr – it growls. Its sinister snarl pulsates through the cockpit and injects itself into your rev-happy feet. A five-passenger subcompact with flexible storage and seating capacity, the Turbo2 leaves a small footprint but lives big.

Always known as the spunky little sport of the Mazda lineup, the Turbo2 adds to the Mazda2’s toss-me-around-and-you’ll-still-be-grinning attitude with an HR coil over suspension kit, Corksport sway bars and customized Brembo front brakes with 13-inch ventilated and slotted rotors. The rear brakes remain Mazda stock parts. Yokohama ADVAN Neova 215/40R17 performance tires are mounted onto shiny black 17-inch OZ Racing wheels.

The vibrant Sonic White tri-coat exterior features Brilliant Black on the lower panels, wheel arches, side skirts and lower front fascia. Unique bright green and neon yellow graphics and trim pieces further highlight the Turbo2’s compact and svelte physique. The exterior’s sunshine happy theme follows through into an interior commanded by Katzin black leather seats featuring Baracuda Yellow perforated leather inserts and Sunrise Yellow seat piping. Customized floor mats are by Star West and the dash is outfitted with an AiM Pista MXL digital racing performance and data acquisition display.

MX-5 Super20

Introduced during last year’s SEMA Show, the MX-5 Super20 is back and with a new ‘do, so to speak. Now blazing in a Hyper Orange Mica exterior treatment, the MX-5 Super20 retains its darker, edgier Mr. Hyde attitude in comparison to its more sociable Dr. Jekyll MX-5 Miata persona. 

With its soft-top replaced with a stationary glossy black hardtop, and matching orange stripes, the MX-5 Super20’s interior also was modified and fitted with a color-matched roll bar, lending to a Grand Touring-inspired feel and function. The black leather seats feature suede seat inserts and channel stitching, which provide improved grip for drivers. Orange contrast stitching adds the finishing touch to the sporty seat profile.

Additional modifications include a DPTune reflashed ECU, Racing Beat 304-stainless steel header and exhaust, Racing Beat hollow front and rear anti-roll bars, ACT organic street clutch, MAZDASPEED coil overs and a shock tower brace, Power Slot slotted brake rotors, StopTech stainless steel brake lines and street performance brake pads, SpeedSource front brake ducts, black 16-inch Enkei RPF1 twin-spoke racing wheels, Toyo Proxes RA-1 245/45ZR16 high-performance tires and 20mm H&R Track+ bolt-on wheel spacers in the rear with 15mm Sparco wheel spacers in the front.

3dCarbon Mazda2

Sharing only the colorful spirit of green with its Turbo2 SEMA Show sibling, the 3dCarbon Mazda2 has an identity all its own. Its 3dCarbon/Air Design body kit is manufactured in high-pressure polyurethane injection molding and either pre-primer or pre-painted in all-factory colors. The customized body kit includes a front air dam, side skirts, a rear lower diffuser and Mazda2 Touring-spec upper rear spoiler. 

The Spirited Green Metallic paint is further styled with a vinyl graphic design courtesy of Sticky Fingers Design. With darkly tinted windows, the small statured vehicle simply pops. 3M Color Stable Metal-Free Window Film is used on the side and rear windows while the front windshield features 3M Crystalline Nanofilm. 

An Eibach® Springs Pro-Kit improves handling as well as visual appeal. Eighteen-inch FIVE:AD S6:F Gunmetal wheels wrapped with Yokohama S.drive 215/35R18 tires add the finishing touch.

Mazda5 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (MRLS) Support Vehicle

Infamous as a practically perfect people-hauler and un-famous as a race track icon, the Mazda5 MRLS Support Vehicle proves that mini-minivans can go racing, too. Developed by Mazda Design, this particular Mazda5 features lowering springs with height-adjustable perches – ideal for custom tuning to any performance situation. Menacing flat-black-painted 19-inch Mazda 

RX-8 R3-spec forged aluminum wheels add to the street-turned-track look, complete with MRLS logo orange dots. Custom graphics highlighting the world-famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca racing circuit emblazon the Mazda5’s landscape as a nod to the orange theme continues – from the MRLS logo on the front doors, icons on the MRLS track map and a striking line along the side skirts – complete the racy package.

Scoop: http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/mazda-showcases-grand-ideas-small-cars-2011-sema-show-%E2%80%9Cgreen%E2%80%9D-roadster-and-tiny-turbo

No Nagare, no problem

2011 Mazda Premacy

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

Indeed the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, launched yesterday, was essentially Nissan version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5. When I observed what's the difference on the exterior view, it's kinda appreciated that the new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star ditched Mazda's Nagare design placed on the third-generation Mazda Premacy. Why did Nissan do with that kind of approach?

First off, the Highway Star range on most Nissan minivans such as the Roox, Elgrand, and Serena, are hughly successful when it comes to styling and for the latest Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, this model focuses on style. First off, take a third-generation Mazda Premacy as a donor car, modify the front, remove the waves from the side view, and style is a necessity. Without Mazda's Nagare design, the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star looks good. No Nagare, no problem.

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is now here and feel free to schedule test drives at your nearest Nissan Red Stage dealers or Nissan Blue Stage dealers throughout Japan. If you have to choose between the third-generation Mazda Premacy (CWEFW) and the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (CWEFWN/CWEAWN), what would you prefer?

All New Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (CWEFWN/CWEAWN)

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

The arc Nissan fans been waiting for has arrived! The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star provides a perfect blend of style, performance, comfort, and ecology, fused into one unique package. The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is sourced from the Mazda's Hiroshima Plant and in fact, the new Lafesta Highway Star is essentially an OEM version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5 (CWEFW).

When Nissan asked Mazda for their own version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy, there is only one condition before this Nissan version of the third-generation Premacy became a reality; discard the Nagare design.

It's good to say that the all new 2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star looks good without Mazda's Nagare design flowed from the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5 because the Nagare design will ruined its Highway Star status. How did the Highway Star trim became a sub-name for the new Lafesta? It's simple, the Highway Star variants in most Nissan minivans such as the Elgrand E52, Serena C26, and the Nissan version of the Suzuki Palette/Palette SW known as the Roox are highly successful and the reason to create a spin-off model is to provide a blend of style, performance, comfort, and ecology for the customers. What we're worrying now is Nissan halted production of the old Lafesta and the remaining will be sold under a new name "LAFESTA JOY" to differentiate it to the Mazda Premacy-sourced spin-off.

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star interior

Open those two sliding doors with the use of the remote and you are ready to explore its 6+1 seater capacity. The middle seat at the 2nd row can be adjusted to make it as an armrest of as an access to the 3rd row seats. The new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is born to be a multipurpose passenger vehicle and we salivated over it if we want to find one as a converted grey market import. Hey, does this Nissan version of the Mazda Premacy would come to Hong Kong soon? Not sure but be patient.

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is available in three engine types. First is the LF-VE (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT) engine, second is the LF-VD (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT DISI) engine, and third is the LF-VDS (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT DISI) engine with the Idle Stop & Go feature. The LF-VE engine has 139PS/6,500rpm of power output, 17.9kg-m/4,000rpm of torque output, and fuel economy of 11.2km/L (10-15 mode). This LF-VE engine is exclusive to the 4WD variants. Meanwhile, the LF-VD Gasoline Direct Injection engine contributes a power output of 150PS/6,200rpm, 19.0kg-m/4,500rpm of torque output and 15.0km/L (10-15 mode) of fuel economy. Available at the Lafesta Highway Star J Package. The LF-VDS engine has the same specs as the LF-VD engine but it is equipped with the idling stop function, making it the sixth member of the Nissan Pure Drive range. This function can shut off this engine when stationery like for instance, stopping at the red light. With this feature, fuel economy is 16.0km/L (10-15 Mode) so this makes it a class-topping minivan because of its superb ecology.

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star comes with five exterior colors such as Crystal White Pearl, Aluminum Silver Metallic, Metropolitan Grey Pearl, Sparkling Black Pearl, and Copper Red Pearl.

My Comment:

Perhaps this is a spin-off, I can't call it a new generation but with the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, you can experience a new blend of family carrier on the go. Without Mazda's Nagare design, this is something we can fall in love at. It's odd that the front view has the grille of the Nissan Serena C26 while the whole body was derived from the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5. This minivan felt like it was taking a face off against its rivals face-to-face. I'm sure we can pray to have one as a converted gray market import from Subic, Manila, Port Irene, or wherever the heck Japan surplus cars are sold. The all new Lafesta Highway Star looks good without the plain-looking Nagare lines. Sounds cheesy but flattering.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

CONFIRMED: Nissan's version of Mazda's third generation Premacy is... the 2012 Lafesta Highway Star!

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

Those JDM fans wondering what would the Nissan version of Mazda Premacy (Mazda 5) CWEFW will look like finally met their answer. The Nissan version of the latest Mazda Premacy/5 is the 2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star.

Scoop (Japanese): http://www.carview.co.jp/news/0/145527/

Details remain slim for now but what I'm guessing is that the second-generation Nissan Premacy, I mean, Lafesta Highway Star would be equipped with the idling stop function and the 2.0L LF-VDS engine found on the Premacy. We'll have to wait more for details on the Nissan version of the Mazda Premacy such is the new Lafesta Highway Star.

Also, the previous Lafesta will have to keep it under the new name, Lafesta Joy, which means that there will be two kinds of Lafestas to choose. Sales of the new Lafesta Highway Star commencing this summer 2011.

Nissan mulls to rebadge the 3rd-generation Premacy?!

2011 Mazda Premacy

Check out the sccop from Carview:

http://carview.co.jp/news/0/140715/

In translation; Nissan plans for an OEM version of the 3rd-generation Mazda Premacy (known worldwide as the Mazda 5) and it will be on effect this late spring 2011.

I have a probability that the Nissan version of this latest-generation Mazda Premacy will replace the Lafesta but will this work?

Entry-level meets style

2011 Mazda Premacy 20CS Aero Style Touring Selection

2011 Mazda Premacy 20CS Aero Style

Seen here is a not-so-special, special edition Mazda Premacy 20CS, called the Mazda Premacy 20CS Aero Style.

There are mild upgrades on this special edition, entry-level, Mazda Premacy variant; this comes with a discharge headlamp, side skirts, rear spoiler, and 15-inch rims. On the interior, silver panels on the steering wheel and the shift lever.

Nothing's too special about this special edition model, but it's a good start since this special edition's fleshed out since December 15, 2010, and it will cost about 1,899,000 to 1,999,000 Japanese yen or about 1,350,000 to 1,400,000 Philippine Pesos as predicted.

New Premacy (CWEFW) vs. New Serena C26

The new third-generation Mazda Premacy (known as the Mazda 5):

and the all-new, fourth-generation, Nissan Serena C26

Both of these Japanese minivans are fuel-efficient, family-friendly, idling-stop powered, eco-minivans, but which eco-friendly minivan takes the center stage among Japanese families?

CASE ONE:

Launched in Japan since July 1, 2010, the new Mazda Premacy (Mazda 5) is powered with the fuel-efficient 2.0-litre LF-VDS engine packed with Mazda's innovative i-stop idling stop system. This engine packs a power output of 150PS and the outstanding fuel economy of 16.0km/L. Although I admit it that the Premacy is more fuel efficient than any other JDM minivans. I just really hope that Mazda Philippines gets one of these eco-friendly minivan. The design was borrowed from the Mazda Axela (Mazda 3), making it a nice minivan we wish to have.

CASE TWO:

Available this late November 2010, the new Nissan Serena C26 is the fourth of the Nissan Pure Drive range, a range consisting of eco-cars such as the new Nissan March K13, X-Trail Clean Diesel, and Fuga (Infiniti M) Hybrid. Under the hood, the new Serena C26 is powered with the new direct-injection MR20DD engine complete with Idling Stop system and Nissan's XTRONIC CVT. The fuel economy of the new Nissan Serena C26 is about 15.4km/L. Sadly, its fuel economy was not good enough to outperform the fuel economy of the new Premacy.

Rest assured. The Mazda Premacy stacks up against the Nissan Serena, but if style was an issue, the new Nissan Serena wins. Think of it minivan fanatics, no matter which of these are fuel efficient, you still want to decide by yourself. Both of these are a winner to me.

Mazda New Premacy/New Mazda 5 (CWEFW)

After its preview in Geneva, in March, and now on sale in Japan, the new generation Mazda Premacy (known as the Mazda 5) indulges the flavor of becoming the most fuel-efficient minivan today, and it is also one of the main reasons we want to have, aside from the new Mazda Axela (Mazda 3) to arrive in the Philippines soon.







Using the same "Nagare" design flow from the Mazda Axela, the true beauty of the new Premacy is distinctively Japanese, and the side view adds a nice touch, indulging every family to gander at every astonishing detail and using its new look as an excuse from its rivals.







Despite the beautiful exterior design, the interior quality is not nearly as perfect as the outside view since it copied most from the Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6), meaning there is nothing too perfect about the interior quality of the new Premacy. However, the new Premacy is a 6+1 seater thanks to the middle seat found on the second row that can be used as an armrest. If you have one more passenger to seat, flip the armrest from the second-row seat to turn from a 2nd row 2-seater to a 2nd-row 3-seater. See? It does not seem to be redundant using its feature. Aside from that, you can use the middle seat as access to the third row, if you have any passengers to seat with, especially the kids.







Good to know that the fuel-efficient i-stop technology from the second-generation Mazda Axela and the Mazda Biante is also included in the new Premacy, providing the 2.0L DOHC 16-Valve engine with the outstanding fuel economy of 16.0km/L of fuel economy. This fuel economy is sure enough to outperform the fuel efficiency of the Honda RK StepWGN/StepWGN Spada.

My thoughts about the Premacy:
We are sure that this latest model is more like a minivan version of the Mazda Axela (Mazda 3) thanks to its familiar design. With i-stop equipped, the Mazda Premacy can be the most fuel-efficient minivan today, giving the new meaning of the FTW acronym "for the world,” if I do say so myself. For its interior, the middle seat from the second row is a valuable tool not just as an armrest but also as easy access for the third row. It is perfect for mothers who are busy with themselves, especially fetching the kids from school. Since it is summertime in Japan, the new Mazda Premacy is the perfect getaway vehicle for the entire Japanese family, guaranteed to make the entire Japanese summer getaway memorable.



Photo: Mazda/Carview