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The Pearl Automotive Family, Lexus of Peoria, Peoria Toyota and Heritage Buick Mazda GMC, is proud to announce that for every new and certified preowned vehicle sold during The Peoria Auto Show and the rest of 2009 a $25 donation will be made.

30 Cars Under $10,000

Come in and visit our Sales Department during our featured event – 30 Vehicles Under $10,000

30 cars under 10k

Mazda has Big Hybrid Plans

The Mazda Tribute SUV Hybrid has already made a good impression with consumers

After years of considering whether or not hybrids would ever be a part of the “zoom zoom” lineup, Mazda has decided to go green in a big way. The company hopes to have a few of these hybrids out within the next five years, if not sooner.

With companies like Toyota and Lexus creating so many hybrid vehicles, and giving themselves such a green image, it was hard for Mazda to resist. In a competitive market, like today’s, Mazda knew they had to step up and produce models to compete with the likes of the Prius and HS 250h, and they are up for the challenge. According to Mazda dealers in Peoria IL, Mazda will create gasoline-electric drivetrains to add into their models.

However, according to a Mazda dealer in Peoria Illinois, these hybrids will not exactly be new. Rather, the new models will be hybrid variations of Mazda’s popular production cars, with more fuel-efficiency. Mazda hopes to stay true to their ways, while also being able to compete with their hybrid-loving competition. So by being able to combine their already successful models with more fuel-efficiency, they will be able to do so.

Mazda has already released a hybrid version of its Tribute SUV. This hybrid gets 31 mpg highway and 34 mpg in the city. So if this is any indication of what is to come for Mazdas future lineup, I’d say it looks pretty promising.

Mazda Nagare Concept Design

The Mazda Nagare drew a lot of attention at the Los Angeles Auto Show

If someone were to ask me where I picture myself in 2020, I don’t know if I could give them a straightforward answer.  Hopefully walking on the moon, or running the world or something like that.  But if you ask Mazda where they will be in 2020, they will be able to tell you that they have a much more solid game plan.

Mazda is calling this solid game plan “Nagare”.  And though a Mazda dealer in Peoria has said these are where Mazdas are believed to be heading in 2020, the Nagare design concept model was introduced this year at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Mazda has a very new vision of what will be driving on our highways in the future. And even though the Nagare isn’t expected to be in any Peoria Illinois Mazda dealerships anytime soon, it is built with alook of outright speed, so maybe it will be ahead of schedule. Although it hasn’t been out on the road, it looks like it would tear up the pavement if it were. Built with the idea of “flow” in mind (Nagare means flow in Japanese), the Nagare was made with curves and details that create the idea of movement and speed even when the car is stationary. The sleek appearance gives the illusion of flow and motion and the proportions of the car really focus on the idea of moving, even when it’s parked.

The interior of the Nagare is a 180 from anything we’ve seen before. The driver sits in the center of the car, like a race car driver. And in the Nagare, where movement and speed are the center points of everything, I’m sure that race car driver would be a not-too-far-off feeling. However, the back of the car offers room for three passengers, and lots of extra leg room.

In order to gauge where Mazda would be by 2020 Mazda dealers in Peoria IL explained that Mazda is trying to keep the same key elements that Mazda lovers have already have grown accustomed to. Instead of radically changing the car into some futuristic gadget, they changed proportions, lines and shapes in order to make the car drive better and look sleeker. Mazda owners will be happy to know that, come 2020, their favorite cars haven’t been radically changed, just tweaked.

So even if you don’t know where you plan to be in 2020 (join the club…) at least you can rely on Mazda for a few things. They have a plan, and that’s nice. It’s a good plan, which is even better. So keep your eyes out for sleeker, faster-looking Mazdas, and I’m sure the rest of 2020 will end up working itself out eventually.

Mazda RX-8 Peoria Illinois test drive

The Mazda RX-8 is still a part of Mazdas lineup, and I’m glad they are keeping it.  It might have been tempting to jettison a car that appeals to a smaller segment, but it’s a segment I’m in, so I appreciate the gesture.

It’s been a few years since I got behind the wheel of an RX-8, so it was on my short list for test drives.  Last week, I finally got around to repositioning myself in the driver’s seat of one of these bad boys.

I went to a Peoria Mazda car dealer to meet the car I would be taking for a spin the sales rep who would be accompanying me.  It was love at first sight with the 2009 Mazda RX-8’s updated design.

The front bumper is a big change, with its more aggressive grille and brake vent designs that give the RX-8 more attitude.  But a car looking like it has more attitude doesn’t mean anything if it can’t deliver that new-found menace on the road.  The RX-8 delivers.  With an updated chassis, the shakes that accompanied the past RX-8s during track-like turns are gone, not that I would ever put an RX-8 from a Peoria Mazda dealer through that sort of driving.  No, I would never want those benevolent, fine people to think that.

A major addition for 2009 is the R3, which is priced a little above the RX-8 GT trim level and is designed for those serious about devouring pavement.  The R3 boasts light, 19-inch wheels, Bilstein shocks, and Recaro-trimmed buckets.  The R3 also comes with an even brassier version of the standard model’s front bumper and plugs in a 300-watt Bose audio system.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to take a look at an R3 model, but the GT I was driving suited me just fine.  Just as I remembered, the RX-8 provides unparalleled handling.  The GT has a lot of the luxury the R3 misses out out in its attempt to go as light as possible and use resources for shocks and other sporty add-ons like foam front crossmembers.  That worked out well, because luxury options are right up my alley.  The GT comes with power seats, heated mirrors, and other typical top-line options you would expect.

If you liked the RX-8 before, you’ll love it now.  And if you’ve never really checked out the RX-8, get over to you Peoria Mazda car dealer and give it a try, especially if you’re a tuner looking for the best affordable sports car out there.

Mazda 5 Peoria, Illinois

As it stands, I have liked every Mazda I have test driven.  This week I put Mazda’s 100% Curtis satisfaction rating on the line as I headed to the Heritage Mazda dealers in Peoria to get behind the wheel of a Mazda 5.  Some people would call it a minivan (maybe even me).  If it’s a minivan, it is in many ways the anti-minivan minivan.  From its size to its looks to its handling, it in no way reminded me of my time spent lumbering along roads in vehicles the likes of the oh-so-unexciting Dodge Caravan.

The Mazda5 became a great solution for families hoping for an affordable people mover when gas prices skyrocketed about three years ago.  Smaller than other minivans on the road, the Mazda 5 is capable of hauling six passengers while still retaining the sporty looks of a Mazda.  Of course, fuel costs still keep people searching for the best value on mileage, and the environmental need to reduce emissions have people shunning some of the low fuel economy ratings of minivans and SUVs.  The Mazda 5 slips into a nice niche, delivering space and a comfortable drive while consuming less gas than comparable vehicles.

And that’s what makes the Mazda 5 really attractive to people looking to get the space they need in a vehicle but unwilling to sacrifice the sporty style and feel of a smaller car.

The Mazda 5 shows up at Mazda dealers in Peoria in three trim levels:  base sport, mid-level Touring and high-line Grand Touring.  Never one to skimp when I test out new cars, I opted to test drive the Grand Touring edition, which featured voice-controlled navigation.  Every trim level is a solid package, though.  All trims are outfitted with automatic climate control, tilt-scoping steering wheel, and full-length side curtain airbags.  The Touring takes on a sunroof, some leather, and a CD changer.  The Grand Touring tops off the options with automatic xenon headlamps, leather seating, Bluetooth, automatic wipers, and heated seats.

I’m impressed by the vehicle’s acceleration.  The Mazda 5 has a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, and it provided more zip than I expected–much sportier than any comparable six-passenger vehicle.  The Mazda 5 is well-equipped to handle curves.  With a relatively low center of gravity and a wheelbase closer to that of a passenger sedan, the Mazda 5 corners like no other minivan can.

In the end, I can’t imagine any minivan shoppers passing over the Mazda 5.  It runs circles around the driving ability of bulky, style-lacking minivans.  It isn’t the Mazda 3, but that’s sort of the point.  It’s the Mazda 5, meant to act as a vehicle for families.  And it won’t perform like the rest of Mazda’s sporty lineup, but I’m thinking most moms and dads won’t be trying any drifting as they take the kids to grandma’s house.  I think to a Mazda 5, Peoria, Illinois curves will pose no challenge.

An important improvement in the past two years’ models is the five-speed automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy significantly over the four-speed that used to move the Mazda 5 down the road.  The current Mazda 5 can achieve 28 mpg, which is something to brag about.

The Mazda 5 moves a family of passengers, but if you only need room for four, it also acts as a tremendous cargo mover.  With the third-row seats folded down, the Mazda 5 has more than 44 cubic feet of cargo space.  When you look at the vehicle from the outside, you would not believe any of this is possible.  It’s like Willy Wonka leading you up to the tiny door only to open it and reveal a giant, expansive space.  And once inside you’ll find very attractive styling and controls that are set up to be very easy to reach.  It’s a comfy cabin, complete with leather, heated seats on the GT I was driving.

Sporty looks, sporty driving, surprisingly large interior space, and a price starting around $19,000 combine to make the Mazda 5 Peoria, Illinois‘ most reasonably priced, fun-to-drive six passenger vehicle.  Visit your Mazda dealers in Peoria to get a closer look and take a test drive.  I’m sure you’ll be impressed.

2010 Mazda CX-9

The 2010 Mazda CX-9 debuted at the New York Auto Show this month with updates to its front end and interior.  When the time comes, I’ll head off to a Peoria Mazda car dealer to test drive one, but for now we’ll have to rely on photos and the written word for a preview of this vehicle.

There are significant but not drastic changes in this model, but the updated styling on the front end really makes a design impact that brings the CX-9 up to date with other models in the Mazda family.

The front fascia gets a new five-point grille.  The side mirrors are larger and more aerodynamically shaped, adding a sleek touch, and the front also sees new headlights and fog lights.  Basically, the CX-9’s rhinoplasty follows the flowing artistry found on the Mazda 3,  RX-8, and MX-5 models.

The wheels also get a new design, becoming a split-five-spoke, and new rear fascia garnish brings the design tweaking full circle.  The 2010 model will also come in a newly offered color, Dolphin Gray, a CX-9 which any buyer will be legally obligated to nickname “Flipper”.

Inside, drivers will find new seats and a new double-lid center console that allows easy opening and has storage space for up to four DVDs and nine CDs. The interior also sees design updates by way of chrome accents on the center instrument panel and piano-black insets on the steering wheel and around the audio display.  The optional Bose audio system now comes with a 4.3-inch LCD display.

I’ve driven the 2009 CX-9 at the new and used Mazda dealer in Peoria, and performance-wise, the 2010 model will act about the same, as the same 3.7-liter V-6 will show up in the new model.  But acting like the 2009 model is a very good thing.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is what people with poor language skills always say.  And the CX-9 model has been a very enjoyable, efficient, and reliable vehicle since it emerged in 2007.  And with its already-hip design, the few minor upgrades are all it needs to continue its success in 2010.

We should see the the 2010 CX-9 at Mazda dealers in Peoria sometime this summer.  As soon as I hear the phrase “CX-9 Peoria, Illinois” I’ll be off to the Mazda dealer to hop in one.  Until then I’ll keep looking at the photos and maybe taking the Mazda 3 out for another spin.

2010 Mazda3

The Mazda3 has a completely new design for the 2010 model year, and it’s a fresh look that should impress car buyers and steer future Mazda designs.  I can’t wait to see one of these at a Peoria Mazda car dealer.  I am really impressed with the updates Mazda came through with.  It sounds like this Mazda3 will be even more fun to drive than the previous generation.

The 2010 Mazda3 is a design triumph, which should only make the already-popular sporty ride even more alluring.  The beauty of the new Mazda3 is that it is totally redesigned but its body still has an attitude like the Mazda3 I’ve always appreciated.

Starting with the front, the grill design is much different.  It’s more in line with the rest of Mazda’s family of models and serves the greater purpose reducing the car’s drag coefficient, just one of the factors that helps the 2010 Mazda3 achieve 33 mpg highway.  That’s up 10 percent from last year’s model.  The 2010 3’s more-pronounced front fenders leave no doubt the Mazda3 has evolved, as does the character line running along the base of the doors.

The interior has been redesigned around a concept Mazda calls Human Machine Interface.  That’s a fancy name that means “easy to see and reach stuff,” but I won’t poke too much fun at their fancy words since this interior certainly looks like an improvement.  This design places all controls strategically in relation to the driver to create easy use.  A feature I find handy is that the navigation controls are on the steering wheel, which means the driver won’t have to keep looking away and reaching for controls.  Additionally, the information display and navigation are positioned higher on the console to keep the driver’s eyes at road level.  The navigation system is an option, but one that can be added at a good value, expected to be close to the price of aftermarket GPS units, around $500.  Mazda loaded the 2010 3 with luxury, feeling that car buyers would rather opt for a more fuel-efficient vehicle if it could deliver the options available on some of the gas guzzlers.  Hence, first-in-class features like driver’s seat memory, steering-linked Xenon headlamps and dual-zone automatic climate control are all optional on the new 3.

Don’t worry about the Mazda3 zoom-zooming out of its former price range, though.  The 4-door starts at $15,700, which is a really smart deal.

The 2010 Mazda3 also qualifies for SmartWay designation from the Environmental Protection Agency.  For those who may not be familiar with the rating, the EPA assigns scores of 1-10 for all new cars based on pollutant emissions and greenhouse gas emissions.  In order for a car to qualify, it must achieve a combined score of at least 13.  The Mazda3’s eco-friendliness is one of the things I like most.  Sure, it’s just an internal combustion engine, but it makes the best of it, getting high mpg and reducing pollutants.  And it still offers just about everything you would want in a sedan.  In fact, I’ve noticed while spending time at Mazda dealers in Peoria that most Mazdas are recognized with the SmartWay designation.

Here is a quick review of the 2010 Mazda3 from Car and Driver at the L.A. Auto Show:

At Peoria Mazda car dealer Heritage Mazda, they are already answering questions about the 2010 Mazda3.  After all, there is a television ad running now.  I’m told the 2010 should arrive Mazda dealers in Peoria very soon.

Mazda improves bumper recycling

Mazda has developed a new technology that will greatly improve the efficiency and scope of vehicle bumper recycling.

Mazda is calling it bumper-to-bumper, and it seems pretty simple:  Feed a bumper from any manufacturer into a crusher that removes metal and paint.  A machine then sorts out the remaining pieces, and then raw plastic resin pellets are available for the manufacture of new bumpers.  The crusher’s pellet-kneading process is similar to the technology used for processing food and rubber, and the sorting machine is like those used to separate contaminants from cereal grains.  That’s the gist.  The diagram above shows a very nice representation of the whole process.

Until now, bumper recycling was a labor-intensive process.  Metal attachments had to be removed manually, and bumpers from different manufacturers had to be recycled separately because of differences in paint and plastic composition.  By automating processes to remove metal attachments, recycling efficiency improves greatly.

As someone concerned about creating a sustainable future, I was pleased to hear about Mazda’s initiative and happy to hear that employees at the Peoria Mazda car dealer, Heritage Mazda, feel passionately about the issue as well.  The folks at Heritage Mazda have known about Mazda’s commitment to recycling for years, as the company has had a bumper recycling program in place since 1992.

Mazda’s bumper-to-bumper program makes a lot of sense.  Bumper repair is the most common vehicle repair, with a rear-end collision reported every 17 seconds and 80 percent of bumper damage occurring during parking.  Why wouldn’t a car company seek to recycle the most discarded portion of an automobile?

Some might say Mazda is jumping on the green bandwagon here, but as you can see below, Mazda is not new to recycling initiatives.  This automated bumper recycling system is a significant technology process that hopefully will make more companies take a look at the profit capabilities of green technologies in other areas.

In the end, this new technology won’t win a Nobel Peace Prize, but it’s a fine example of strategic recycling.  It’s simple but it’s important.  I think Mazda has set an example for any companies unwilling to engage in recycling efforts because they seem too laborious or costly.

Peoria Auto Show

The Pearl Automotive Family: Heritage Buick GMC, Heritage Mazda, Peoria Toyota, and Lexus of Peoria, is proud to announce that for every new and certified pre-owned vehicle sold during the Peoria Auto Show and the month of April, a $25 donation will be made to the following charities:

Children’s Hospital of Illinois
Thomas E. Whitten Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

For more information, contact us right now or call: 800-309-5138!