We wouldn’t go so far as to say that the folks at AutoExpress are just making stuff up, but the prospect of a smaller MX-5 Miata (the MX-2) does sound unlikely.

Still, the British auto pub is reporting that such a vehicle is in the works and could be here as early as 2012. This would put ensure it arrived well ahead of possible competitors like the MINI Speedster or Nissan Urge. For the record, however, the Speedster is still just a rumor and the Urge, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show back in 2006, has reportedly been scrapped.

Motivation could come from an engine as a 1.6-liter four-cylinder or as small as 700ccs. The 1.6 option would be the high-performance model with as much as 160hp.

AutoExpress cites a company insider who says we should expect to see an MX-2 concept soon.

More: Mazda Prepping Sub-Miata MX-2? on AutoGuide.com

It appears as though Mazda will offer its RX-8 sports car with a rotary engine in the future and as the all-new second generation model is just around the corner, the Japanese automaker has been busy making improvements to the pistonless wonder.

Last October Mazda filed for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a new twin-spark, direct-injection rotary engine, which was approved last month.

According to the patent it’s possible the new motor will be of a slightly larger displacement and we expect a little extra power. The new twin-spark direct-injection system should also help in the power department, although its main benefit will be in terms of fuel-economy.

More: Next Gen Mazda RX-8 May Get Twin-Spark Direct-Injection Rotary Engine on AutoGuide.com

Jason Saini raced to the top of the podium in his Mazda6 this weekend, during the SCCA’s SPEED World Challenge Touring Car series event at New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Thunderbolt Raceway. Saini placed third in qualifying but quickly made it to second place off the standing start, and spent much of the rest of the race fender to fender with defending series champion Peter Cunningham in his RealTime Racing TSX.

Saini passed Cunningham on the third lap but only secured some distance when Cunningham got tied up defending his position from Andrew Aquilante in the Phoenix Performance Inc. Subaru WRX.

When the checkered flag flew, however, Saini had secured an almost three second advantage after Cunningham, giving him not only the race victory but also the lead in the points race.

“I raced with Peter a couple of times last year. We had some side-by-side battles. He came out on top last year. This time, I came out on top. It is a dream come true to race with a guy like Peter,” said Saini. “I looked at where his strengths and weaknesses were and tried to push him. I tried to stick the nose in every once and a while to see. I just had a bit of a stronger car at that point and I was able to get down on the inside. I tried one time. I didn’t make it stick. I tried again and it did.”

As for the third-place Aquilante, he managed the last podium spot in just his third World Challenge race. Initially much of the credit can be handed to Subaru’s all-wheel drive system, which allowed Aquilante to race from a standing-start grid position of 8th to 3rd overall in just one lap.

“The start was good,” Aquilante said. “It was kind of wild the first couple of laps, with Jason and P.D. going back and forth. Jason got around him and things settled in single file. Then, about halfway through the race, I started to try to pick it up and the tires started to go away.”

“I finally caught up to them. I had a few runs at Peter down the front straightaway. We went side-by-side. He knew what I was going to do, so he protected the inside well. There were a couple of times he let me on the inside, but I couldn’t quite make it stick. I tried not to run him off the road. It was a good race.”

Finishing out the top five were Cunningham’s teammates Kuno Wittmer in 4th and Pierre Kleinubing in 5th.

More: Mazda Tops Podium in New Jersey on AutoGuide.com

When I first saw the 2010 Mazda3 all I could think was that the gaping front mouth had been lifted directly from a Peugeot. After having spent a week in the car I can now see the redesign has significant elements of Mazda’s Nagar design philosophy – specifically in regards to the RX-8.

At first, and from a distance, the rest of the car looks mostly unchanged, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The new design is more aggressive all around with sharper edges and a strong line that runs the length of the car. The new bodywork actually gives the Mazda3 a more European look and also makes it appear like something more than just a compact car. Mazda, we should note, has done many things with the 3 to push the boundaries of the compact car class; but we’ll get to those later.

The new front-end design grew on me over the week (and has continued to do so after I returned my tester). The redesigned Mazda3 certainly has character, which is more than you can say of a Focus or Corolla.

One reason for the pronounced face is that Mazda is using the 3 to shape the brand’s identity. Often companies create highly stylized flagship cars and then water down those design elements for lesser vehicles. The 3 is the reverse of that philosophy, as Mazda hopes to better brand the company using a bottom-up approach, which is a good plan considering the popularity of the vehicle.

In fact, one-third of all Mazda vehicles sold are Mazda3s and in North America it’s almost one-half.

More: 2010 Mazda Mazda3 on AutoGuide.com

It’s now official, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 has made it to U.S. shores. On display at the New York Auto Show the new model isn’t drastically different than the old one, it even keeps the same 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine. Power is rated at 263 and 280 ft-lbs of torque.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

As for the rest of the car, we’re happy to report that it has not been toned down from the Euro-spec version and that it seems every new innovation on the Euro-spec car has been kept for enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic.

In terms of technological advancements, the MazdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

More: U.S.-Spec MazdaSpeed3 Makes Official U.S Debut on AutoGuide.com

Mazda’s head of research and development has announced that the automaker will tread a different path than its Japanese counterparts, looking to a future in diesel cars rather than hybrid ones.

Engineers at the company are currently working on a 2.0-liter diesel engine that would be as fuel-efficient as a 660cc gasoline engine or a similarly powerful hybrid car. The added bonus is that it would be significantly cheaper to produce and that cost savings would be passed on to consumers – who currently pay a premium for hybrid models.

One major reason for the cost savings is a new single-nanotechnology catalyst Mazda is working on, which requires significantly less precious metals in its construction. Another cost-savings measure is a new diesel particulate filter that would eliminate the need for costly exhaust treatment systems.

“We believe that improving today’s conventional engines at a low cost is the most effective way to get fuel-efficient cars to proliferate,” R&D boss Seita Kanai told reporters.

Mazda intends to bring such a diesel engine to market by 2011, although it is not clear if the engine would be in a new model and if that model would be available worldwide.

In addition, Mazda plans to increase the fuel-economy of its fleet by 30 by 2015.

At the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month Mazda took the wraps off a turbo-diesel CX-7. Using a 2.2-liter powerplant, this new engine produces 171hp at 3500 rpm and 295 ft-lbs of torque at 2000 rpm. It also gets a combined fuel economy rating of 31.4 mpg.

Future Mazda plans to increase fuel-economy also include advancements in automatic transmission technology (like the company’s new Start/Stop system) and an overall reduction in vehicle weight.

Kanai said that models released in 2011 or after will weigh roughly 220 lbs less than current models, with a further similar reduction in weight happening in 2016.

More: Future Mazda Models To Get Diesel Engines and Weigh 10% Less on AutoGuide.com

The fourth generation Mazda Miata, due out in 2012 is going to be more in line with the original Miata, with a smaller engine and lower curb weight. There is also a strong possibility that Mazda will bring back the soft-top (as well as offer a hard-top) – a move that would easily save a bundle of weight.

This most recent news come from Australian publication GoAuto, which cites an inside (but unnamed) source.

The article claims that the new model will not only get lighter thanks to a traditional soft top, but do to the use of electric power steering (over hydraulic) and by using a new lighter suspension. Apparently the adapted RX-8 suspension parts used in the current Miata were forced upon Mazda engineers by the accountants at Ford (Mazda’s parent company) who wanted to keep costs down.

The target curb weight of the fourth-gen model is set at less than 2,200 lbs – significantly lower than the current 2,485 to 2,595 curb weight of the third-generation model.

The report also states that the Miata will be powered by a smaller and more efficient engine; possibly a 1.4-liter or 1.6-liter engine with forced induction. A dual-clutch transmission is, however, unlikely.

More: Mazda Miata to Return to its Roots on AutoGuide.com

Mazda will unveil a mid-cycle refresh to it’s award-winning CX-9 crossover SUV at the New York Auto Show. Mazda says the new 2010 model will be “heavily revised” from the 2009 model.

Included in the updates are a facelifted exterior as well as a revamped interior. Mazda also plans to add several new options and increase the overall safety of the vehicle with even more safety features.

Mazda’s press release says they also plan to further improve the “Zoom-Zoom” driving characteristics of the SUV. This might mean a revised suspension but it also might mean an optional V8 engine – we certainly hope so.

In addition to the new CX-9, Mazda will also have the 2010 CX-7 crossover on display – making it’s U.S.-debut after officially launching at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February.

The 2010 CX-7 also gets an exterior and interior refresh, as well as added safety and convenience features. One of the most notable new options is the new base engine. Previous models were only available with a 244hp turbocharged direct-injection 2.3-liter four-cylinder, whereas this new base engine is a non-turbo 2.5-liter four. Pricing has yet to be released but this new engine option should help make the 2010 significantly more affordable than the ‘09 model.

We’ll bring you full details on both models with our New York Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.

More: Mazda to Reveal “Heavily Revised” CX-9 at New York Auto Show on AutoGuide.com

Officially unveiled as the Mazda MPS at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month, the U.S.-spec MazdaSpeed3 will make it’s North American debut at the New York Auto Show on April 9th.

We don’t expect much to change from the Euro version, so don’t plan on any more power from the direct-injection 2.3-liter turbo-four. Power is rated at 260ps (256hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque. Thankfully, the MazdaSpeed3 doesn’t need more power.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

The engine does get some advancements though. For starters, emissions are reduced thanks to a new single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. As well, the 2.3-liter engine gets 0.5 liters/100km (0.1 mpg) better fuel economy.

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

We’ll bring you full details in our New York Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.

More: 2010 MazdaSpeed3 to Make U.S.-Debut in New York on AutoGuide.com

Mazda finished the day at Sebring yesterday with the fastest car during the first practice session ahead of the 2009 World Challenge Touring Car season.

Jason Saini, piloting the Tri-Point No. 74 Mazdaspeed/Stoptech/Racinghart Mazda, posted the best lap time at the end of the day with a 2:25.294 on the 17-turn, 3.7-mile circuit.

“Conditions were a bit variable,” Saini said. “It was damp this morning, but it got better throughout the session. It was hard to learn what the car was really doing in the changing conditions. I was lucky to have a late lap when the conditions were getting better every lap.

“The team has done such a great job pulling things together in short order. So many people pulled together to make this happen at the last minute. All credit to the team for staying up late all last week and getting these cars together.”

The Tri-Point team of Mazda6’s also claimed 4th and 6th for the day with Charles Espenlaub piloting the No. 73 car and rookie Eric Foss in the No. 75 car taking the respective positions.

Much of the rest of the top 10 was filled with the RealTime Racing Acura TSXs with Kuno Wittmer taking 2nd, Pierre Kleinubing taking 3rd and Toby Grahovec taking 7th. Defending World Challenge Touring Car Champion Peter Cunningham, the only driver piloting a new TSX vehicle, placed 5th.

Finishing out the top ten were Andrew Aquilante and his Subaru WRX in 8th, Nick Esayian in his BMW 328i in 9th and James Clay in his BMW 328i in 10th.

The World Challenge Touring Car Series kicks-off with the opening race this Friday, March 20th.

More: Mazda Fastest at First 2009 World Challenge Touring Car Practice at Sebring on AutoGuide.com