Mazda is hoping to boost sales in the United States by 74 percent, and a key component of their strategy will be delivering sporty vehicles that can turn out “real world” fuel economy numbers.

“It’s not acceptable to us have 40 mpg and sacrifice performance,” said Robert Davis, Mazda’s senior VP of U.S. operations. Rivals such as the Hyundai Elantra have had their spare tires removed and special low rolling resistance tires to help trim weight and increase fuel economy. But Mazda says that the low rolling resistance tires are noisy and reduce the vehicle’s handling characteristics.  The upcoming Mazda3 will hit 40 mpg thanks to a new engine dubbed “SKYACTIV”, while keeping the spare tire and regular rubber.

Mazda will also sell a diesel version of their upcoming CX-5 crossover, while other competitors do not offer a diesel option. Mazda hopes to boost sales to 400,000 units per year by the middle of the decade, up from 229,556 in 2010.

[Source: Automotive News]

A new continuously-variable transmission, a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine and an front-drive hybrid system should all arrive on the new Nissan Altima for 2013, helping Nissan stay competitive in an increasingly tough segment.

The hybrid drivetrain will be similar to that used on the Infiniti M Hybrid, but adapted for front-wheel drive vehicles. The new hybrid system will work in concert with the new CVT gearbox, which is expected to bring a 10 percent fuel economy boost to any vehicle, regardless of whether it’s equipped with a hybrid system or not.

Finally, Nissan’s venerable 2.5L 4-cylinder engine will get a supercharger, though power figures were not released.

[Source: Automotive News]

Subaru is looking to increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles by 30 percent and will introduce new technologies like turbocharging, different transmissions and hybrid systems to help meet those goals.

First up will be a blitz of new product built on an all-new lightweight architecture that will replace the current platform used by all Subaru products. Subaru’s insistence on all-wheel drive means that its vehicles are handicapped in the fuel efficiency stakes, due to AWD’s extra weight and complexity, and the company must take extra steps to stay competitive in this arena.

Subaru will introduce a third-generation boxer engine, a turbocharged boxer with direct-injection and a hybrid powertrain by 2013. Subaru will also launch its new BRZ sports car and XV crossover (pictured) within the same time period.

[Source: Automotive News]

Get more Subaru BRZ news and info at subarubrzforum.com

Outlandish engine swaps are usually a fool’s errand that cost far more time and money than most people ever expect. Of course, if you’re a major automaker with endless financial and mechanical resources behind you, you can do whatever you want.

When Nissan set out to create the Juke-R, considerations like “budget”, “space” and “access to materials” didn’t matter. Since they had a Juke, a spare Nissan GT-R and a full workship at their disposal, they were able to go buck wild. Fitting the GT-R drivetrain into the Juke required serious work far beyond the pale of even an experienced hobby mechanic, but we’ll let the video explain how it all went down.

Hit the jump to see the official video

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The Mazda RX-8′s production run has already ended for much of the world, but Japan is sending off the last rotary engine equipped sports car (for the time being) with a special run of 1,000 cars dubbed the “Spirit R”.

Special badging, red brake calipers, Recaro seats and 18″ wheels are the main highlights of the package, while a choice of Aluminum Metallic, Sparkling Black Mica or Crystal White Pearl Mica paint will be offered for the exterior.

While the Spirit R will be offered only with a 6-speed manual, an automatic-equipped Type E will also be sold for those who only want two pedals.

Gallery: Mazda RX-8 Spirit R

Hit the jump to see the official press release

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the 2009 Honda Odyssey for a possible liftgate malfunction.

The Odyssey’s power liftgate is said to close unexpectedly, and NHTSA has received seven complaints so far, with two of the complaints resulting in injury after the owners were unexpectedly struck with the liftgate. An estimated 20,000 vehicles are affected. A recall may be initiated if NHTSA deems it necessary.

[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the Japanese government’s effort to keep the yen’s value under control had failed and that Nissan was strongly considering moving production out of Japan and into foreign countries.

A weakened United States dollar has meant that the value of the greenback has shifted from 91 yen per dollar to 76 yen per dollar over the past two years. This unfavorable exchange range has led Nissan to examine other countries for vehicle production. ”We have to make investment decisions all the time,” Ghosn told Reuters. “This is one of the factors that we have to consider when we look at a project and say are we going to do it in Japan or are we going to do it in another country?”

Despite this, Ghosn said that he felt vehicle sales would rise in 2012 even in the face of another possible economic downturn. Ghosn also announced a new electric vehicle to be built in China for the Chinese market.

[Source: CNBC]

Most people’s conception of tuner cars are brightly colored Honda Civics or other econoboxes with underbody neon lights, not to mention the requisite loud muffler.

But this heavily modified Toyota Camry has enough horsepower on hand to beat down nearly anything on four wheels, without giving away anything visually.

This mid-1990s Toyota Camry has a specially designed turbocharger setup mated to its 3.0L V6, with a giant T51 turbocharger helping to crank out the astronomical power figures. Check out the video below to see the Camry doing its thing on a dyno.

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Toyota has finally released pricing for the all-new Prius Plug-in Hybrid, setting the retail rate at $32,760 – a roughly $8,000 premium over the conventional model.

At $32,760, Prius Plug-in provides more standard features like heated front seats, Entune, LED daytime running lights, an enhance keyless entry system as well as a remote start air conditioner, letting the car’s interior cool off even when the car is off. For $40,285, customers can opt for the Prius Plug-in advanced trim, featuring GPS navigation, a better speaker system, radar-guided cruise control, and much more.

With a 15 mile electric range, the Prius PHEV gets an impressive 87 MPGe rating, with a 49-mpg rating once operating as a conventional hybrid. A recharge cycle is said to take fro 2.5 to 3.0 hours using a conventional household outlet or 1.5 hours with a special charger.

At nearly $10,000 less than the Chevrolet Volt, the Prius PHEV is also expected to receive federal tax credits to make it an even more enticing buy.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius PHEV

Infiniti will adopt Mercedes-Benz’s small car architecture, used to underpin the front-drive B-Class, as part of the technology sharing agreement signed between the two companies.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told Autocar that ”you’d be very surprised if in five or six years that Mercedes and Renault/Nissan had only cooperated on small cars,” signalling a much wider cross-pollination for the two companies. Mercedes engines are expected to be used in the new Infiniti M, while the B-Class platform will underpin a new, small minivan-esque vehicle for Infiniti.

[Source: Autocar]

We’re sure there are legions of fans excited to hear that the 2013 Lexus GS450h will bow at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show – maybe not.

Either way, the GS450h should be an important product for Lexus, as both the originator of the luxury hybrid segment, and a critical new introduction in a market that is fast becoming saturated with hybrids.

No technical details have been announced, but we can expect a 3.5L V6 with an electric motor system, similar to the current GS450h. Stay tuned to AutoGuide for live coverage of the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 13th.

An old newspaper maxim posits that “dog bites man” won’t make for an eye-catching headline, but “man bites dog” will get people’s attention. Perhaps the automotive equivalent is “Toyota RAV4 Driver Shoots Boy With Crossbow”.

Although information is scant, this is undoubtedly one of the most bizarre stories of the year. According to reports, a boy in San Diego was throwing rocks off of a freeway overpass when he was shot in the stomach with a crossbow. The shooter was said to be driving a black Toyota RAV4, and no arrests have been made.

We would automatically question the motives of anyone riding around with a crossbow in their car, but the RAV4 strikes us as a strange idiosyncracy. There are a thousand other vehicles that one would picture an anti-social maniac drving, and Toyota’s crossover isn’t one of them.

[Source: Toronto Star]

Ford and Toyota shocked the automotive world with the announcement that the two companies will join forces to create a new hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding, and will do further research and studies regarding the project. The new system is said to be rear-drive based, and uses different technology than both Ford and Toyota’s current hybrid systems.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s head of global product development, stated that the two companies would not be sharing platforms, but rather sharing costs developing hybrid and telematics systems, which would be implemented into brand-specific vehicles. Takeshi Uchiyamada, Executive Vice President of Toyota, also stressed the importance of developing new telematics technology, though Ford’s own SYNC system, developed with Microsoft, has been criticized for being too complex and unreliable.

Today is a miraculous day – not only has Infiniti revealed the final teaser of their upcoming JX crossover, but the newest addition to the Infiniti lineup will get its official reveal today, August 18th.

The seven seat crossover will likely get Infiniti’s 3.7L V6 or 5.6L V8, and a whole suite of fancy gadgets. Stay tuned to AutoGuide for the Infiniti JX’s live reveal and official specs. In the mean time, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Infiniti JX

A series of leaked photos and a UK market press release are the first look we have at the 2013 Lexus GS luxury sedan. Also confirmed are F-Spot, and hybrid versions (with a GS450h mentioned) as well as a GS250 packing a 2.5L V6 – for Europe only we presume.

With styling borrowing heavily from previous Lexus concepts (and a rear styling treatment strongly reminiscent of the Lexus IS), the 2013 Lexus GS is just the right side of conservative for the Lexus brand. North American will likely see the GS350 and the GS450h, but with the introduction of the 4-cylinder BMW 528i, we may end up with the GS250 as well.

Lexus claims that trunk capacity is up by 25 percent, while front and rear tracks have been widened by almost two inches. New safety features include a Night Vision System, Lane Departure Warning System, radar-guided cruise control and a new system called Lane Keep Assist, that will actively steer the car back into the proper lane should it drift outwards. The 2013 GS will also feature a new 12.3 inch LCD screen that can be configured for a split-screen configuration (allowing for both navigation and entertainment interfaces on the same screen) as well as an optional 17-speaker, 835 watt Mark Levinson audio system.

Unfortunately, firm details regarding powertrains (such as horsepower and torque figures), fuel economy, curb weights or dimensions haven’t been revealed. AutoGuide will be on hand at the official unveiling at Pebble Beach on August 18th, where Lexus will hopefully reveal more.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus GS

[Source: CarFanatics]

UPDATE: With the all-new GS now revealed, check out video of the reveal after the jump:

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Infiniti released its newest teaser photo of the upcoming JX crossover, which boasts 7-seats and one of the brand’s powerful V6 or V8 engines.

Photos will be posted on the brand’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Infiniti) and Infiniti is running a contest to win a trip for two to the reveal at the Pebble Beach Concours. The production model will debut at the LA Auto Show in November, with sales starting in the Spring of 2012.

Gallery: Infiniti JX

Just days ahead of our first drive in the 2012 Toyota Camry and we have the first clear images of the most important new car that Toyota will launch in the next 12 months.

No specs were announced, and these images are supposedly the Australian-market car (which will look slightly different) but it looks about as predictable and Toyota-like as possible. Look for these to appear on dealer and rental car lots sometime in 2012.

Gallery: 2012 Toyota Camry Leaked

[Source: Vince Burlapp]

The Saab 9-6X concept was unveiled six years after being axed. The first pictures of the concept have hit the web and was unveiled at the company’s museum in Trollhättan.

The 9-6X was based on the Subaru Tribeca and was slated for production but the vehicle was shelved when GM sold their 20 percent minority stake in Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru’s parent company) in 2005. Interestingly, Saab also built a three-door prototype of the 9-6X, which would have been a unique vehicle if launched.

It looks as if Vilner had a light bulb go off recently, discovering that there’s a market for custom luxury interiors for various vehicles. Recently they decked out a MINI Cooper with a Bentley-styled interior package, and now they’ve added their fine touch to Infiniti’s EX and FX models. For the EX, Vilner went with a yachting theme, while the FX features your standard interior upgrades to add more luxury to the SUV.

We’re not quite sure why Vilner chose the route of outfitting the EX to address yacht owners, but a theme is better than no theme. The steering wheel has received chromium plated elements while the majority of the interior has been outfitted with Amaretta material.

For the FX37, Vilner chose to give the vehicle a more complete appearance, redoing the ceiling, front panels and upper panels in Nappa leather while the plastic decorations on the seats have been replaced with Alcantara. To Vilner, they simply wanted to add more luxury to the FX37 while the EX37 clearly got much more changes.

GALLERY: Vilner Infiniti EX 37 and FX 37

A short clip ostensibly taken during a meeting for American Toyota dealers appears to show the 2012 Toyota Camry in all its glory, as Toyota’s best seller makes its debut amid a soundtrack by Katy Perry.

Little is known about the 2012 Camry, aside from Toyota’s plans for an ambitious marketing blitz in advance of the vehicle’s on-sale date. But with Toyota’s Las Vegas dealer meeting having occurred this past weekend, we have every reason to believe that this is our first look at the most important product from Toyota. Of course, we can expect that a gasoline and a hybrid variant will be offered (the video mentions the Camry SE, Camry XLE and Camry Hybrid), but whether Toyota follows the lead of Hyundai and Chevrolet in offering only 4-cylinder engines remains to be seen.

We’ll be sure to bring you official details once they’re available.

Check out the video after the jump

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

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Don Swanson’s racing school is up for grabs on eBay Motors, complete with a full semi, four EJ Honda Civic race cars and a Dodge Grand Caravan.

All four of the EJ Civics are DX models with five-speed manual transmissions and non-VTEC D15 single-overhead cam engines. Each of the race cars come equipped with ample safety equipment, several performance bolt on mods and a tach the size of a school clock. The auction includes all the suits, helmets and gloves and the buy it now price is set at a very reasonable $79,000 or best offer.

Interested? Buy it now or put in a bid here.

GALLERY: Don Swanson Race School

Ford‘s meteoric rise may have hit a speedbump with the latest J.D. Power Initial Quality results showing the Blue Oval at its worst ranking in a decade, coming in at 23rd. Meanwhile, perrenial quality champion Toyota rebounded from 21st last year to 7th this year, after an annus horriblus of recalls, lawsuits and quality defects that saw millions of vehicles recalled.

Toyota’s Lexus brand captured the top spot, up from 4th, followed by Honda, Acura, Mercedes-Benz and Mazda. Porsche, last year’s leader, finished 6th. Ford was said to be dinged due to transmission issues, as well as consumer dissatisfaction with both the SYNC and MyFordTouch/MyLincolnTouch infotainment systems, which were said to be glitch-prone and unintuitive.

While the J.D. Power survey is regarded as a gold standard among consumers, the survey only measures problems within the first 90 days of ownership, and does not take long-term reliability into account.

Whether intentional or not, Subaru seems to be labeled as a “progressive” brand, and while their website contains the usual corporate gibberish about supporting and embracing “…the communities in which we live and work,” the company tends to put its money where its mouth is, openly supporting the LGBT community as well as motorsports and outdoors enthusiasts.

Now a group of women’s rights activists is challenging Subaru to stay consistent, by petitioning them to withdrawn from the Saudi Arabian market. The Middle Eastern nation is currently facing protests regarding their ban on female drivers, and the activists are admonishing Subaru for selling cars in the Saudi market, especially when a significant portion of Subaru drivers are female and their vehicles tend to be marketed towards women.

To its credit, Subaru has a history of making morally courageous but unpopular choices. One long forgotten instance was in the 1960s, when Arab nations threatened Japanese companies with a boycott if they chose to do business with Israel. Subaru ignored the ban, and the company has built up immense goodwill among Israeli motorists, with vehicles like the Impreza and Legacy have been wildly popular in Israel for decades. We wouldn’t hold our breath for Subaru to pull out of Saudia Arabia, but given the company’s history, we could be wrong.

Check out the petition here

Mazda is very excited to show off its Freestyle Cab version of its BT-50 pickup at the upcoming Australian International Motor Show that will be held in Melbourne on July 1st-10th. The BT-50 receives Mazda’s now infamous Freestyle door configuration that was first revealed on the RX-8. By utilizing the unique door configuration, the BT-50 Freestyle gives a way to comfortably seat four while retaining a large carrying capacity.

Improvements have also been made from the current BT-50 offering by utilizing the Freestyle door configuration. In the rear, seat cushions have been lengthened by just over twp inches, giving way to better thigh support and better fitment for child seats. The seatback height has also been increased by slightly over five inches.

Most importantly, the BT-50 Freestyle benefits from a larger carrying capacity. Mazda has been able to increase the overall cargo volume by 51.3-cubic feet, a 9.4-cubic feet increase from the currently existing model.

Unfortunately for the North American market, Mazda still has no plans of bringing the BT-50 Freestyle to North America.

GALLERY: Mazda BT-50 Freestyle