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Mazda's Tokyo concepts have us wishing for more Mazdaspeed

It's been a while since we've seen any new Mazdaspeed machinery, and we're sorry to report that today isn't the day the wait ends. But if you want to see what they might look like based on Mazda's latest models, the Tokyo Auto Salon will be the place to be in a couple of weeks. Turns out the Zoom-Zoom brand has a whole raft of performance models in store for the aftermarket expo. Most intriguing to our eyes is the trio of Racing concepts – one based on the MX-5 Miata roadster, one on the CX-3 crossover, and one on the Mazda6 sedan. Each is done up in black with full aero kit, new rolling stock, and Alcantara interior. An adjustable suspension is the big change to the MX-5 – known simply as the Mazda Roadster in Japan – which also features red trim. As does the CX-3, while the Atenza (which we know as the Mazda6) goes for a more monochromatic, murdered-out appearance. The rally-prepped Mazda2 (known domestically as the Demio) focuses on a stripped-out interior with bucket seats, racing harnesses and a roll cage. There's a spec racing MX-5 in white livery with roll cage and tow hooks as well to join the Global Cup roadster we've already seen. That also goes for the RX-Vision and LM55 Vision Grand Turismo concepts which have already made the rounds but will be on display at the Tokyo salon as well. But it's those three Racing concepts that leave us salivating for production performance models to come – and hopefully come to North America in the process. Related Video:

Autoblog Podcast #523 | BMWs, Trackhawk and Mazda's new engine technology

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale. We discuss a couple of BMWs, the upcoming BMW X7 three-row SUV and our short-term BMW M760i with a turbocharged, 600-horsepower V12. We also cover the week's news, including Mazda's nifty engine technology it will roll out in the next few years, as well as pricing on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast@autoblog.com. (If you record audio of a question with your phone and get it to us, you could hear your very own voice on the podcast. Neat, right?) And if you have other questions or comments, please send those too. Autoblog Podcast #523The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Topics and stories we mention Rundown BMW X7 Spy Shots Volkswagen Passat GT Mazda's future engine technology Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Pricing BMW M760i driving Ram 2500 driving Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes

Half of Chinese car buyers won't shop Japanese over hard feelings

The hard feelings between China and Japan is no real secret. Besides modern-day disputes, the two countries have had a long-running enmity that dates back to well before the atrocities of World War II. All things considered, then, it shouldn't be a shock that half of Chinese car buyers wouldn't consider a Japanese car. This survey, conducted by Bernstein Research, found that 51 percent of 40,000 Chinese consumers wouldn't even consider a Japanese car – which, again, isn't really surprising, when you consider stories like this. According to Bernstein, the most troubling thing is the location of these sentiments – smaller, growing cities where the population is going to need sets of wheels. We imagine it wouldn't be as big of an issue in traffic-clogged Shanghai or Beijing, but these small cities are going to become a major focus for automakers. "Nationalistic feelings are an impediment. [Japanese] premium brands will struggle," analyst Max Warburton wrote in a research note, according to The Wall Street Journal. Things will improve for Japanese makes, although China will remain a challenge, with Warburton writing, "the one thing that comes out most clearly is that most Chinese really want a German car. While we expect Japanese brands to continue to recover market share this year, ultimately the market will belong to the Germans." There are a few other insights from the study. According to WSJ, Japanese brands are viewed better than Korean brands, and they're seen as more comfortable than the offerings from Germany or the US, despite the fact that everyone in China apparently wants a German car. This is a tough position for the Japanese makes to be in, as there's really not a lot they can do to win favor with Chinese buyers. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, particularly as the importance of the PRC continues to increase year after year. News Source: The Wall Street Journal - sub. req.Image Credit: Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP / Getty Images Honda Mazda Nissan Toyota Car Buying