These days Mazda doesn’t have a lot going for it and it’s not often that the automaker makes the headlines. But this story just proves what thinking outside the box can do.

More than five years ago Mazda axed its low-selling minivan and debuted the Mazda5 – a smaller van based on the compact Mazda3 platform. It hasn’t quite caught on here (despite its incredible packaging), but our neighbors to the North love the thing an it’s a popular vehicle in other markets.

Classified as an ‘MPV’ it has started to gather a following and other automakers are taking notice, with Ford recently debuting its own rival, the C-Max.

Now Nissan is getting in on the action, and is set to debut a rival to the mini-minivan some time this year. But rather than reinvent the wheel, the yet-unnamed Nissan will be based off the Mazda5.

According to Mazda the vehicle is planned for the Japanese market and there is no info on if it is planned for North America.

With the race season about to get into gear, anticipation for 2011′s finest race cars continues to grow. Last year, Extreme Speed Motorsports entered the American Le Mans Series with a pair of Ferrari F430 GT race cars. This season the Scott Sharp-owned race team will be campaigning Ferrari’s new 458 GT.

Scott Sharp, who will be one of the team’s drivers, has teased the world with new photos of their Ferrari 458 GT, and we have to say, it’s quite the eye candy. Despite missing its full graphics, we are already in love with how sleek the 458 looks in American Le Mans race car form.

For those that know little about Extreme Speed Motorsports, their hard work throughout the 2010 season paid off with a runner-up finish at the Petit Le Mans to close out the season. Now the team looks forward to working on their 2011 race program and the 458 GT to grow off its success.

The ALMS season starts March 18th at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

GALLERY: Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari 458 GT

[Source: Jon Sibal Blog]

G-Power has gotten their hands dirty with BMW‘s ultra-rare, limited edition M3 GTS, teasing the world with an upcoming tuning package that is sure to make the Ultimate Driving Machine even more… ultimate. The focus of G-Power’s build with the GTS is to give BMW enthusiasts a rightful competitor to Porsche’s GT3 RS.

Mods included in the tuning package start with a SK II CS supercharger system with plans of taking the stock horsepower rating of 450-hp to a figure above 600-hp. While G-Power still doesn’t have the complete specs yet, they do mention that a titanium exhaust system, racing suspension, roll cage and racing seats with six-point harnesses will be available.

Looking for the ultimate driving machine on the track? G-Power may be able to fulfill your needs soon.

[Source: ZerCustoms]

There are very few, if any, vehicles in this world that can fall in the same category as Rolls-Royce‘s Phantom. Then you take an Extended Wheelbase version for extra luxury and comfort, team up with luxury-specialist Wald International, and you have yourself a luxury sedan that is simply peerless.

Continuing on their trend of releasing luxury-themed customs, Wald International has named this package as part of the company’s Sports Line ‘Black Bison’ Edition. Simply stated, it takes what Rolls-Royce has built with the Extended Wheelbase Phantom and adds another level of sportiness and luxury to the exterior package.

The front bumper, side skirts and extended rear bumper noticeably give the Phantom a whole new profile, while front fender vents, LED daytime lights and a trunk-spoiler give the entire body a little more panache. For this particular project, Wald International opted to bolt on a set of 24-inch Renovatio wheels to each corner of the Phantom.

Tacky by some accounts, if you’re looking for added exclusivity, Wald delivers.

GALLERY: Wald International Rolls-Royce Phantom EW

[Source: Worldcarfans]

Over the last decade, the most popular rental convertible in America has been the Chrysler Sebring. Chrysler is hoping their new 200 Convertible will be just as popular, and has just announced pricing for this new model.

The base Touring trim, which comes with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine that produces 173-hp starts at $27,195. That price includes the $750 destination charge. Interested buyers should note that at this price, you only get the folding canvas roof, and not the retractable hard-top.

The Limited model, which does come with the option of the folding hard-top, comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces a healthy 286-hp. Pricing for this model starts at $31,990 (destination charge included).The Limited model also gets heated leather front seats, remote start, a touch screen media center, USB and iPod connectivity, fog lamps and 18-inch alloy wheels, among other stuff.

The new top of the line model will be called the “S” and will feature a special grille, dark headlamp surrounds, unique “tuner inspired” 18-inch alloys wheels, black leather and suede seats and a Boston Acoustics sound system.

All 200 Convertible models come equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels and will be in showrooms just in time for summer.

Initially built as a one-off to celebrate Gulf’s 10th anniversary in Luxembourg, Fiat has made the decision to go ahead with a limited production of this custom 500. More than just a 500, it’s an Abarth 500 EsseEsse model, making 160-hp; far more than the standard car’s 101-hp.

Because Luxembourg is such a tiny country, the limited edition release is extremely small, with just 10 of the cars being built. Along with the orange and blue livery, inside the car gets Sabelt racing with seatbacks painted in the infamous blue/orange scheme. Pricing is set at around $35,000.

[Source: Carscoop]

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 Fiat 500 Review Here

And get more Fiat 500 news and info at Fiat500Owners.com

Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled a special edition G55 AMG SUV at this year’s Qatar Motor Show. Dubbed the Mercedes G-Class Arabia 100 Limited Edition, the G55 has a (you guessed it) limited edition run of just 100 units and will be available in either Cashmere White or Nightblack.

To go along with its rugged exterior, Mercedes has outfitted the limited edition G-Class with a set of 19-inch AMG wheels in a special matte-finish. In the interior, a two-tone treatment was given with a contrasting black and porcelain leather theme while carbon fiber and champagne white Designo piano lacquer wood trim acts as decor. The G also gets a special rear entertainment system.

Under the hood, there are no changes, but who really needs them with 507-hp from a supercharged V8.

The Middle East is currently Mercedes-Benz’s fourth largest market for G-Class sales, so it’s no surprise that they would get their own special edition to enjoy.

[Source: Otoloso]

While there was much anticipation for the debut of Toyota’s Avensis BTCC Touring Car last October, the project was delayed. Now we’ve received word that it will be making its debut on April 3rd at the Dunlop MSA BTCC event in Brands Hatch in the UK.

The Avensis is still being built by GPR Motorsport and they have announced that two teams have committed to running the Avensis in the BTCC series: Dynojet and Speedworks.

Currently the Avensis is at the MIRA aerodynamic facility in the UK going thorough wind tunnel testing. In order to get a credible baseline to compare to their race car, a factory Avensis was used, giving the team plenty of data in order to fine-tune the aerodynamics of the race car.

A few more renderings can be found below, but we’d really like to see more of this machine in the sheet metal.

GALLERY: Toyota Avensis BTCC Touring Car

[Source: Worldcarfans]

Audi has been busy courting Canadian media outlets with some of their hottest product. Sympatico Autos, a popular portal in the Great White North, was given exclusive drives of the A1 Quattro, RS3 and (earlier in the year) TT-RS.

Given the penchant for smaller (and premium) cars north of the 49th parallel, we understand the movie, and Audi seems to be putting its money where its mouth is by unveiling the 340 horsepower TT-RS at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The CIAS usually falls on the same dates as the Chicago show, and we know that there will be simultaneous unveiling of the 2012 Acura TL at both shows. On the other hand, we have no word on when the TT-RS will make its official debut in the United States, so this could potentially be an interesting story. Audi Canada would only confirm that this was the Canadian unveiling of the car, but we’re pretty sure that an American launch is imminent.

AutoGuide will have live photos of the Audi TT-RS launch in Toronto on February 17th, so stay tuned for the first images of Audi’s newest sports car.

Although the current MKVI Volkswagen Golf has only been on the market since 2009, the car will have an extremely short product cycle, as Volkswagen confirmed that the next generation car will debut “end of 2012 or early 2013″.

Although German media reports said that the car will hit showrooms in November of 2012, VW declined to divulge specifics. The new Golf will be built on the all-new cost saving MQB platform, but will follow the new Audi A3, the first vehicle to go on sale using the MQB chassis. The MQB platform will be shared across a substantial number of brands, and is expected to underpin 3 million vehicles per year.

[Source: Reuters]