Finally featuring some exciting, fun vehicles in the lineup, South Korean car maker Kia Motors is now considering another effort to refurbish their image by reversing to alphanumeric identifications rather than names for the North American market. With several of their vehicles sold in the Asian market already recognized for alphanumeric codes (the Forte is [...]
Many a teenage boy has asked just this question — and you might not think it’s relevant or even worth talking about. But it plays such an important role in car-buying situations that it must be discussed. There’s no denying it; the curb appeal of a car is part of the buying process. And if [...]
Our friends at Motor Trend report that Mazda will likely discontinue sales of the RX-8 after the 2011 model year. The recently refreshed Mazda RX-8 is currently the only wankel powered production vehicle on sale in the U.S. Fear not, wankel fans (wankers?), the Trend also reports that a new rotary powered RX-7 is in [...]
As the current trend of small cars grows (figuratively,) we’re seeing car makers shrinking models down as small as they can go. Most of the smallest cars are focusing on one thing – efficiency – in the form of fuel economy and price. Fortunately, we have at least one brand who values the driving experience, [...]
OK, sure this is just a rumor, but it’s worth looking at, because it does (like a lot of rumors) make a certain amount of sense. Mini USA VP Jim McDowell recently said at the Geneva Motor Show that some of Mini’s competitors, such as the Audi A1 are going with even smaller powerplants than [...]
Since it was released in 2007, the Mazdaspeed 3 has dominated the small, high-performance hatchback segment in terms of being an inexpensive, fun-to-drive powerhouse. For 2010, the ‘speed3 received the same overhaul of the standard Mazda3, getting a completely revised body style, a new (and very improved) interior, and upgraded suspension. Unlike the standard model, [...]
Ah, the bug-eyed Sprite. They are fun little cars, and I’ve spent more than my fair share around them. Tiny, great handling weighing next to nothing, they sort of set the bench mark for just how small you could make a sports car. Shoot, the first series didn’t even have trunk lids. You had to [...]
Photo from MazdaUSA If you’re familiar with the Mazda RX-8 (or RX-7,) you know it’s one of the only cars on the road using a rotary (Wankel) engine. But have you ever wondered exactly how a rotary engine works? Why is Mazda the only manufacturer to still use this design? What are its advantages and [...]