Mazda 'Zoom-Zoom City' Offers Free Auto Show Exhibits

NEW YORK, April 10 -- Can you imagine a world where fast, fun and cool rules? A world where Zoom-Zoom is the order of the day? And the emotion of motion is all that matters? Well, across the street from the 2006 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) at the Jacob Javits Center is where you'll find Zoom-Zoom City, a world where every vehicle has the soul of a sportscar.

In addition to its two product display areas inside Jacob Javits Center, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) offers show-goers a third opportunity -- and with no entrance fee needed -- to see its vehicles. Inside a large tented structure, Zoom-Zoom City will offer a Mazda brand-experience in a setting inspired by an urban city, and provides context for each vehicle's development story.

Zoom-Zoom City is an immersive walk-through experience. Broken into three distinctive "zones," each zone brings to life a different dimension of the Mazda story. Once inside, guests will move through the space to a variety of vehicle displays and settings.

"Zoom-Zoom City provides consumers with a no-cost opportunity to experience each Mazda vehicle in its element and in a fun and appealing way," said Don Romano, vice president of marketing for MNAO. "Much like the city of New York, Zoom-Zoom City is exciting and unexpected, with new adventures at every turn."

Upon entering, the Speed Zone is the first area attendees visit, and highlights the thrill of driving. On a large LED panel, motorsports footage will be featured along with visual icons and elements from the racing series in which Mazda participates. Zoom-Zoom City's temporary residents will see a 2006 Mazda RX-8, as well as racing cars from the Mazda MX-5 Cup (2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata), the professional Formula Mazda Series (Star Formula Mazda powered by a RENESIS rotary engine from the RX-8) and SCCA Showroom Stock C (2005 MAZDA3).

Leaving the Speed Zone, the Style Zone will focus on Mazda's forward-thinking design philosophy. Zoom-Zoom City visitors will see the all-new Mazda CX-7 crossover SUV, the MAZDA3 5-Door and the MAZDA6 5-Door. Mazda's design DNA can clearly be seen on three very different vehicles, yet all share a common design theme: fast, fun and fashion-forward.

The Fun Zone is the last area tourists to Zoom-Zoom City will visit before returning to the "real" world. The Fun Zone celebrates the versatility and performance capabilities of Mazda vehicles and is set in an amusement park vignette. Vehicles featured here are the MAZDA5, as outfitted by clothing company Quiksilver, the Tribute SUV and MAZDA6 Sport Wagon.

While visiting Zoom-Zoom City, a special treat for visitors is the opportunity to be photographed in an MX-5 Miata seemingly in motion on a fictional thrill ride in front of a "green-screen." When visitors return to their own homes, they can remember their visit to Zoom-Zoom City by downloading an image of their escape from the Internet.

The Greater New York International Auto Show runs April 14-23 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.