Achievement unlocked: Mazda to reveal new car over Xbox Live

By Nick Jaynes Published June 19, 2013

Mazda concept — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mazda and Microsoft are teaming up to bring a digital event of massive proportions to Xbox Live.

On June 26, Xbox users can log into their Live account and witness not only the unveiling of a new Mazda vehicle, but a live performance from the band Metric as well as the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes for the chance at winning a $2,500 for a trip to a music event. Mazda and Xbox have also created the hashtag #GAMECHANGER so that fans can join in on the conversation during the show.

Recommended Videos

“It’s a digitally connected world, so what better way to reach our customers than through a connected platform like Xbox,” said Russell Wager, vice president of marketing for Mazda, in a press release. “We were looking for a way to launch a global product and tie together our five separate reveals. Xbox not only gave us the platform, but allowed us to leverage our digital assets to drive a global audience to view the event.”

Festivities begin at 9:00 PM EDT and will stream globally. For those of you across the planet, reveals will also be held in St. Petersburg, Istanbul, and London.

If that weren’t enough, just for participating in the event, Xbox Live subscribers will receive a #GAMECHANGER t-shirt for their avatar.

So what car will Mazda be unveiling? The Japanese automaker hasn’t revealed that tidbit just yet. But if you’re hoping for the new MX-5, keep dreaming. The Alfa Romeo co-designed bad boy won’t be out until 2015.

Maybe an RX-9, you say? Again, doubtful. No, our money is on a new Mazda6 Speed. It’s more exciting than you think, though. The last Mazda6 Speed was uproarious good fun and with the new platform underpinning the new Mazda6, a next-gen could be a real screamer.

Interested parties can obtain more information at MazdaUSA.com and xbox.com/gamechangerregistration. Even if you’re not that keen on a new Mazda, you owe it to your avatar to attend for the shirt alone.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work

Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Cars

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?

Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Cars

EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says

ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.