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Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla road rage video, Mazda tests EVs vs. hybrids

A Tesla Model S driver was caught driving recklessly in a dashcam video. On Toronto's Don Valley Parkway, the driver of a white Model S can bee seen speeding along the left shoulder. Another car moves partway onto the shoulder to block the driver, who moves back into the left lane. As traffic slows, the driver pulls back onto the shoulder and speeds away. The folks at Teslarati suggest that this serves as an example of why vehicle autonomy could make the roadways safer. See the video above, and read more at Teslarati. Formula E will be broadcast live on Italy's Rai network for the next two seasons. The programming will include the live races, as well as practice and qualifying highlights, podium celebrations, interviews and other pre- and post-race coverage. "It's a great opportunity for Formula E and motorsport fans to have Rai broadcasting the live races of our series in Italy," says Trulli Formula E team owner Jarno Trulli. "It's a step forward to make the series grow and get stronger after a successful first season. I'm looking forward to cooperate with Rai and show the Italian fans what we are truly doing with our technology." Read more from Formula E. A new study links a decline in cancer risk to California's air quality regulations. The study from CARB found that cancer risk from toxic air contaminants declined 76 percent from 1990 to 2012, a time period that corresponds with regulations targeting those contaminants. Even as the amount of diesel miles driven has steadily increased, cancer risk from diesel particulate matter has declined significantly. The paper predicts that cancer risk will continue to drop as a result of controls on toxic emissions. Read more at Green Car Congress. Mazda is conducting consumer trials of hybrid and electric vehicles in Japan to gauge reception. Depending on whether hybrids or EVs prove to be more popular, Mazda will adopt one of the two types of powertrain for future production vehicles. The automaker is currently testing an electric Mazda2 against a hybrid Mazda3. While this round of testing is focused on the automaker's home market, Mazda may need to expand trials to the US in response to tightening regulations in California. Read more at Green Car Reports.

4 automakers agree to $553M settlement of Takata airbag claims

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four automakers agreed to a $553 million settlement to address class-action economic loss claims covering owners of nearly 16 million vehicles with potentially defective Takata airbag inflators, according to court documents filed on Thursday. Toyota's share of the settlement costs is $278.5 million, followed by BMW at $131 million, Mazda at $76 million and Subaru at $68 million. According to a press release from Plaintiffs' Committee for Takata Airbag Product Liability Litigation, the funds for the settlement are aimed at getting more cars with faulty airbags fixed. At the time of writing, Toyota had the greatest recall completion percentage of 31.89 percent followed by Subaru with 31.37 percent. Mazda has completed repairs on 18.16 percent of affected cars, and BMW brings up the rear with 16.48 percent completion. Some settlement funds will go to an outreach campaign to increase awareness, while other funds will be used to reimburse people for any costs accrued to get their cars fixed. These costs can include rental cars, child care, lost wages, or any other reasonable costs associated with bringing in a vehicle for repairs. Furthermore, a customer support program will be funded with settlement money to handle any additional repairs or adjustments that could become necessary in the 75,000 miles following the airbag replacement. Lawsuits against Honda, Ford and Nissan have not been settled, lawyers said. Takata inflators, which can explode with excessive force and unleash metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks, are blamed for at least 16 deaths and more than 180 injuries worldwide. The safety defect has prompted recalls worldwide of about 100 million inflators by more than a dozen major automakers. Reporting by David Shepardson, additional details by Autoblog's Joel StocksdaleRelated Video: Government/Legal BMW Mazda Subaru Toyota

Evo pits Toyota GT86 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata

The latest Deadly Rivals episode from Evo gets the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GT86 (our Scion FR-S) on track for a shakedown and a whole lot of drifting with Dan Prosser behind the wheel. The UK-spec coupes have slightly different power ratings than ours, but it's all close enough to be comparable. Their Miata has 158 horsepower (ours has 155), 148 pound-feet of torque, takes 7.3 seconds to run from naught to 60 62, and costs 22,695 pounds. The GT86, on the other hand, lists a 7.6-second dash to 60 62, and a base price of 25,000 pounds. The GT86 also weighs 400 pounds more than the Mazda. That's true in the States, too – curb weight for our MX-5 is 2,332 pounds, whereas the Scion FR-S comes in at 2,758 pounds. Both cars lauded for excellent shifting, but one of them has a better front end, a sweeter engine note, more controllable cornering behavior, and is faster by a tenth of a second around the test track. And Prosser doesn't mention it, but one has a lot more body roll. But it takes more than all that to make a winner, so check out the video above to see which is which. News Source: Evo via YouTube Mazda Scion Toyota Convertible Coupe Performance Videos toyota gt86 evo