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Mazda3 sedan revealed by Top Gear Russia [w/poll]

Thanks to our comrades at Top Gear Russia, the trickling reveal of the Mazda3 sedan has begun. We saw the hatch in person in New York (and loved it), and we wanted to see if the trunked version could hold onto the same mojo. If you like the Mazda6, then you should like the Mazda3 because it takes just about everything from its toothsome big brother and shrinks it into a compact package.
Top Gear Russia was allowed to share photographs of the Mazda sedan they call "Treshka" (or they leaked them, depending on whom you talk to), but not their drive impressions. The site page says it will come in four trims for the Russian market - Drive, Active, Active+ and Supreme - and offer three engines. Our specifications will certainly differ. Other than that, all we have to go on are the looks, which some may argue are even better than the hatch thanks to a trunk line that provides more balance to that long hood up front.
The Mazda3 will go on sale later this year and US prices should be announced in September. For the time being, content yourself with the gallery of high-res images above.

Opel Insignia Country Tourer goes the Outback route

The last piece in the Opel Insignia family puzzle is this: the Insignia Country Tourer. Whereas the Insignia Sports Tourer is honed for urbanites, the Country Tourer beefs up the wagon for gravel-minded folk with larger tires and higher ground clearance, underbody protection panels and body cladding. A Haldex all-wheel drive and electronically-controlled limited-slip differential can shift torque between the front and rear axles, and between the rear wheels.
Three engines will feature on the options sheet, the top choice being a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine with 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Next on the list is a 2.0-liter, twin-turbo diesel with 195 hp and 295 lb-ft, then comes another 2.0-liter diesel with 163 hp and 258 lb-ft. The twin-turbo diesel can only be had with a six-speed automatic, the other two can be fitted with either that or a six-speed manual.
The new Opel will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, pricing will be announced closer to the date. Have a read of the press release below to find out more.

Nissan Qashqai caught looking sleek

The next-generation of the not-for-US-consumption Nissan Qashqai has been out doing some testing in southern Europe this week. And, if the dressed-in-trash-bags look is any indication, it's been doing a lot of roadwork so it can make weight for the big meet the weekend.
Nissan designers haven't been scared to take big design chances with recent new models, so expectations are that the Qashqai crossover will get a bold new visage for its generational changeover. What we see in these photos indicates a sleeker, slightly trimmer CUV however, with no trace of the bug-eyed look we captured recently on a testing Titan.
In the rest of the world, it's a good bet that the Qashqai will be powered by engines ranging from a 1.2-liter turbo up to a 1.6-liter forced-induction unit; that larger one good for something like 215 horsepower. Diesel powerplants will be in the mix, too, for the compact CUV, and word is that Nismo might get its hands on this Rogue cousin for the first time ever.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG

Call it a guilty pleasure; I love ridiculously fast SUVs. I sort of went head-over-heels for the new 2014 Range Rover Sport that I recently tested, and prior to that experience, I put some serious miles on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG pictured here. You probably don't realize this, but the GL63 is the quickest three-row SUV you can buy in the States - thanks to its 550-horsepower, 5.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the biggest and baddest GL will hit 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds.
Now, take a second to realize what that means. This is a seven-passenger SUV with all-wheel drive. It weighs 5,812 pounds - nearly three tons. And it's quicker to 60 miles per hour than a Porsche Cayman. That's insane. And I love it.
But there's far more to the whole GL63 AMG package other than pure straight-line acceleration. I picked up this GL in Chicago, drove it home to Detroit, and spent a week bombing around southeast Michigan with this massive brute. And while it's not perfect, it's a truly amazing feat of engineering.

Cadillac to vie for Secret Service armored car contract, new Beast?

President Obama has used the same armored limo since his inauguration in 2008. Known by many as The Beast, the Presidential Limo was provided by Cadillac and earned its nickname in large part because of its massive size, which isn't surprising considering that its Caddy-shaped bodywork is said to sit atop a heavy-duty truck chassis.
It seems the Secret Service may be in the market for a Beast replacement, having issued a request for proposals for a new armored limo. According to Motor Trend, Obama's backup limo is a leftover from the Bush Administration, so it will be interesting to see if this new machine will serve as a replacement for The Beast or for its backup. The contract is to be awarded by September 29, 2013.
The boys from MT contacted Cadillac, Lincoln and Chrysler, and Chrysler is the only one that would confirm that it is not pursuing the contract. Cadillac may have the inside track, as it has provided Presidential limos since 1993, but Lincoln also has a long and storied history of chauffeuring the President.

NHTSA closes investigations into Ford Taurus, Hyundai Santa Fe

Ford and Hyundai are out from under the scrutinizing eyes of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after the government agency said it was closing investigations against both automakers over vehicle safety concerns.
Ford was being investigated for reported damaged speed control cables on Ford Taurus (shown above) and Mercury Sable models, both built between 2000 and 2003. Vehicles with the company's Duratec engines allegedly failed to allow owners to brake as expected. Owners lodged 100 complaints and were involved in five accidents, according to NHTSA records. The American automaker responded to the reports, and on June 21 of this year, said that it would inspect and repair all affected vehicles, regardless of the mileage.
Hyundai was under investigation for a reported loose fastener on the steering shaft of its 2011 Santa Fe (shown in the gallery below). After NHTSA launched its inquiry, the Korean automaker responded with its own investigation that yielded four affected vehicles. Following the inspection of 680 vehicles at its assembly plant, Hyundai said the issue was due to employee error and that no further defects have been found.

Watching IIHS test semi trailers for safety is frightening

"Underride." That's a word you'll want to add to your glossary of horrifying fates. It describes the action of a car sliding under a semi trailer at speed, with results that sometimes aren't pretty to look at - the kind this Corvette driver only managed to escape by ducking.
As part of its Inside the IIHS video series, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety takes a look at what its discovered in its underride testing. It bought trailers from the eight largest trailer makers by volume in the US, loaded them with 19 tons of concrete, then crashed a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu into them at 35 miles an hour three different ways: full frontal, 50-percent offset and 30-percent offset.
Even though some of the trailer guards meant to stop a car from submarining were good for the purpose, others weren't, but even the ones that didn't perform their duty met federal regulations. The IIHS video doesn't fault trailer makers, but does suggest - graphically - that the regulations could stand to be strengthened. You can watch the video below.

2014 Camaro Concept is new Bumblebee, Transformers 4 onslaught continues

Considering that A) we've already seen quite a number of Transformers 4 cars debuted on Michael Bay's website, and B) we were all really just waiting for the next Bumblebee, it seems fair to say that our gallery of T4 vehicles may now be complete.
Finishing strong, this latest addition is a car Bay is called Bumblebee 2014 Camaro Concept, and it shows a modern counterpoint for the throwback Bumblebee we've already gotten a look at.
The 2014 Camaro has been seriously reimagined for its upcoming film role, but we wouldn't put too much stock in this showing the way forward for a production car at this point. The renderings you see here have some pretty imaginative details, like a fuel filler just in front of the B-pillar (like a mid-engined car), but we sense more fantasy than premonition. Still, the black and yellow Chevrolet should look great wrought large on the silver screen.

VW confirms Golf GTD diesel coming to US for 2016

Part of the Volkswagen Golf recipe that has helped the car sell more than 30 million units in just under 40 years is the number of variants in which the hatchback is offered. Building on that range here in the US, Automotive News is reporting that we will finally be getting the sporty Golf GTD, likely as a 2016 model. It's the GTD, you'll recall, that crosses the performance abilities of the venerable GTI with a powerful and fuel-efficient diesel engine.
After speaking with Andreas Valbuena, Volkswagen product manager for the Golf, AN not only says that the GTD will for sale in the US in a couple years, it also estimates a baseline price of around $27,000, which would place it between the current pricing for the GTI and the Golf R. The GTD is launching in Europe this summer, but we won't be getting the seventh-generation Golf in the US for another year. The news about the performance diesel model isn't entirely unexpected - VW officials have been hinting at it for at least a year now, going so far as to import a sixth-generation model for media test drives on US soil, a task we happily took them up on last year.
The Mk VII GTD uses VW's 2.0-liter TDI engine with output increased to 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, allowing the car to sprint to 60 miles per hour in about seven seconds while returning more than 40 mpg in highway driving. We can't wait.

2012-2013 Hyundai Azera recalled for passenger airbag fault

Hyundai is recalling 5,200 units of its Azera sedan over a possible airbag sensor malfunction. The occupant detection system in models built between May 22, 2012 and November 23, 2012 might not be able to tell what kind of passenger (adult, child, or child seat) is in the front seat, which could cause improper deployment of the airbag.
Azeras from the 2012 and 2013 model year are affected. Hyundai hasn't yet said when owners will be notified, but once that happens, they'll be able to take their sedans to dealers to have the system recalibrated free of charge. There's a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration below with more information.

Fiesta-sized Jeep coming in 2014

We've heard rumors before about a new, baby Jeep to slot below the new-for-2014 Cherokee (pictured) in the automaker's lineup. Now, Edmunds is reporting that the new crossover will arrive sometime in 2014, and will be about the same size as the Ford Fiesta. This currently unnamed vehicle will effectively replace both the Compass and Patriot in the Jeep lineup.
Speaking to Edmunds, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said that the new, small Jeep will be assembled in Italy and marketed globally beginning sometime next year. Manley did not provide many details on the new model, but did say that it will be 4.2-meters (165 inches) long. The Cherokee, by comparison, is 4.6-meters long (181 inches). Furthermore, Edmunds reports that while the new small Jeep will offer diesel power in other markets, there are no plans for an oil-burning version here in the US.
Many other automakers are exploring this smaller crossover segment here in the US. General Motors recently launched the Buick Encore, which is loosely based on the Chevrolet Sonic subcompact's platform. Ford has already launched its Fiesta-based EcoSport in other markets, and has reportedly been pondering the idea of offering it in the US, as well.

Watch the Pikes Peak record fall from Sebastien Loeb's point of view

It's easy to gloss over the new Pikes Peak hill climb record as just another number. After all, we can say Sebastien Loeb did the deed a full minute and a half quicker than anyone else in the history of the race, but the words fail to convey the lunacy and sheer speed of the feat, even bearing in mind that the mountain is now fully paved. To fully grasp the weight of the new record, you have experience the ride from Loeb's point of view. Fortunately for us, Red Bull has been kind enough to release a new video of the record-setting 8:13.878 run shot entirely in-car.
The clip switches between a spoiler-level shot and the view from inside the cockpit, and while the sheer speed is surprising, it's the complete lack of drama on Loeb's part that's the real shocker. The guy looks like he's fetching milk from the market, not destroying reconstructing the definition of what "fast" means when applied to Pikes Peak. Watch the clip below for yourself. If you'll excuse us, we're going to hit the replay button, crank the volume and do our best not to get our faces melted off. We've also thrown in a second behind-the scenes video for your enjoyment as well.

Autoblog Podcast #339

Farewell, Zach Bowman; Pikes Peak 2013; Datsun; 2014 Ram lineup
Episode #339 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and it's the last rodeo for Zach Bowman before he departs for other pastures. The crew this week consists of Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross, who talk about the astounding records set at this year's Pike's Peak hill climb, the return of the Datsun brand name and the recently-announced 2014 Ram truck lineup. Of course, we start with the garage and end with your questions and comments. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #339:

Subaru unveils catchily named WRX STI tS Type RA in Japan

We feel safe in saying it's time for Subaru to step away from the keyboard for a spell. The company just unveiled this new WRX STI tS Type RA in Japan, and while the car features all sorts of tricks to help it stand out from the rest of the WRX rabble, it also boasts a name that looks like the product of a good old fashioned QWERTY Hulk smash. Nomenclature aside, this WRX STI features a revised suspension with tweaked springs and dampers as well as a faster steering ratio, Brembo brakes and a front strut tower brace.
JDM buyers can pick between the ever-sexy (if loud) Tangerine Orange Pearl paint seen here, Satin White Pearl or Blue Mica. There's also available NBR Challenge Package, complete with a set of Recaro front seats, a few carbon fiber aero bits and 18-inch BBS forged wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE070 rubber. How's that for delicious?
Subaru is only planning to crank out 300 WRX STI tS Type RA units, two-thirds of which will carry the NBR goodies.

Silverado campaign kicks off with 'Strong' original song

The marketing of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado has begun, and The Bowtie has gone all 'Hearlandia' with a new campaign called "Strong." The effort is anchored by a song called Strong, written and performed by country singer Will Hoge as the anthem for the truck and the campaign. Keeping things (kinda) real, Chevrolet says most of the people appearing in the first ad are real Chevy owners, not paid actors.
The initial spot airs July 4 in Texas, then will make its way to other parts of the country later this month. If you're smitten with the tune, it will eventually be available for download. For now, you can check out the broadcast spot, the extended commercial and the music video in the videos below, as well as a press release announcing the beginning of the campaign.

Toyota hits 10 million Camry models sold in US

This year marks 30 years of sales for the Toyota Camry in the US, and in that time, it has amassed more than 10 million sales. In its first year on the market, the Camry sold 52,651 units, but it has gone on to become the best-selling car in the US for the last 11 years.
Toyota says that "virtually all" current Camry models sold in the US are made here, and three-quarters of all Camry contents are domestically sourced. Scroll down for the official press release from Toyota, and be sure to check out our gallery of images showing every model year and bodystyle of the Camry since it first went on sale in 1983.

Ford builds USAF Thunderbirds Edition Mustang for charity

Each year since 2008, Ford has created a one-off Mustang to celebrate military aviation, and the cars have been auctioned off at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Gathering of Eagles charity event to raise money to inspire the next generation of aviators. This year's charity car is the 2014 Ford Mustang GT US Air Force Thunderbirds Edition, which also helps celebrate 60 years of Thunderbirds air show excellence.
Of all the EAA charity cars, this Thunderbirds Edition is the most in depth. Painted to match the F-16 Tomcat fighter jets used by Thunderbirds, this Mustang also gets a widebody kit and 22-inch Forgiato wheels to go with the cockpit's Recaro bucket seats, rear-seat delete and modified navigation screen and gauge cluster. Even the Mustang's projector puddle lights have been changed to show an aircraft silhouette - rather than the Mustang's galloping horse logo - when the doors are open.
Themes for previous EAA charity cars include the Blue Angels, SR-71 Blackbird and the Red Tails as well as the F-22 Raptor-inspired AV8R and AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" models. Scroll down for the press release for the 2014 Ford Mustang GT US Air Force Thunderbirds Edition, and be sure to check out our galleries for all six aviation-themed Mustangs.

Transformers 4 spied filming at GM Proving Grounds, new Bumblebee Camaro caught [w/video]

Spy photographers usually try to focus their lenses on test mules and prototypes, but this week, a camera-toting sleuth stumbled upon some filming for Transformers 4 on location at a General Motors proving grounds facility in Michigan. While Michael Bay's personal website has already shown us a handful of confirmed and potential characters for the movie, these images are our first live look at the Autobots including what appears to be the new Bumblebee.
Based on a highly stylized version of the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, this Bumblebee has more of a conceptual look similar to the leading car used in the 2007 film. This includes a revised front end with LED-trimmed headlights and a more aggressive fascia as well as a widebody kit, but it still features the signature black-and-yellow Bumblebee paint job. The unique-looking Camaro is so fully realized that we can't help but wonder if it was an alternate design proposal for the 2014 facelift, repurposed here for Hollywood duty, or if it hints at the next-generation pony car. Either way, we have no idea how this car and the first-gen Camaro - previously confirmed as being Bumblebee - will fit into the movie.
Also present in these shots are the new Optimus Prime and Hound as well as the yet-to-be-named Bugatti Veyron and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray characters. Also worth noting is that recently revealed cars like the Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Huayra and the mystery Freightliner are all unaccounted for during this film session. For more, check out our gallery above and a video by scrolling below.

The Mountain, the Manx, the BRZ and how I learned to love racing

Subaru Takes Us Along To Drive On The Isle of Man, And We Try Not To Ball It Up
While the mild dehydration wasn't helping me, it was probably the least of my worries.
I am not a timid driver, nor an inexperienced one. But waiting to take a lap of the stunningly dangerous, 37.7-mile Snaefell Mountain Course at the Isle of Man TT had me on tilt, no fooling. I concentrated on the task in front of me, left hand working the gear pattern on the right-hand-drive Subaru BRZ I was to pilot, while kids on bikes, fat old beer-drinking men and other members of a fast-growing throng of onlookers pointed at our group of five Subarus and nine Americans. We were moments from our 'demonstration' for the motorcycle racing-hungry crowd and I was awfully glad, at that exact moment, that I'd emptied my bladder before buckling in.

VW Up Buggy may be headed to showrooms

Volkswagen showed six conceptual takes on its Up at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, one of those being the Up Buggy. Although few will probably remember it, VW has not forgotten it, applying for a patent for the Meyers Manx revival roadster way back in March 2012 and being approved in June of this year, according to a report in Autocar. That will give the automaker a 14-year lock on the design while it decides whether to move forward with a reboot of its past.
A patent doesn't mean the Up Buggy will ever move beyond the sheet-of-paper stage, but Autocar says VW is studying the market to see if a production version is feasible. We can't see North America ever getting it, but even so, we wouldn't complain if they made it - especially if they put an exposed engine in back that was set off by 18-inch-long twin tailpipes jutting straight up into the air. However, for a company that aims to be the world's number-one automaker by 2018, a niche vehicle for its mass-market brand would be a surprising use of resources.

Ford Explorer Jackson Pollock Edition results in trip to hospital

Among the many useful pieces of driving advice we've taken to heart over the years, "Safely secure all cargo" is etched pretty high on our personal stone tablets. We've had a couple of frustrating moments over the years (numerous wonky cupholders and too-tall lidded cups; a radar detector that released its suction cups and dashed itself below the dashboard, etc.), but never anything like the scene above.
These photos above come courtesy of the Washington State Patrol, and they show the unfortunate aftermath of a driver, his dog, and his Ford Explorer after it crashed near the town of Belfair last week. According to reports, the man was schlepping five-gallon containers of paint inside his vehicle when he was involved in an unexplained accident. It's not clear what triggered the crash, but the impromptu abstract painting covered the whole of the interior, including the driver and his faithful companion.
The man was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, and his dog was cleaned and later taken to a humane society.

NHTSA may test recalled Jeep to see if trailer hitch fix works

Despite the fact that Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have compromised on last month's heated recall situation involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, it looks like the matter is still far from over. The Detroit News is reporting that NHTSA could end up crash testing the repaired vehicles, some of which are receiving Mopar trailer hitches to better protect the rear-mounted gas tank from being damaged during an accident.
You won't be surprised to know that the notion stems from a group of safety advocates that recently met with NHTSA boss David Strickland. The group feels that Chrysler hasn't done all it can to make the vehicles safe, and has gone so far as to request that these vehicles be crash tested using the guidelines in place for the 2007 model year, despite the fact that every Jeep vehicle under investigation met safety requirements for the year in which it was sold.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, on the other hand, seems satisfied with the situation, saying the proposed fix "will keep people safe." That being said, the article points out that the NHTSA investigation has not yet been closed.

Corvette marks 60th production anniversary

On June 30, Chevrolet celebrated 60 years of Corvette production after the very first of its iconic sports car model rolled off the Flint, Michigan, assembly line in 1953. The future classic was initially shown as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on January 17, 1953, but it was such a hit with the crowds in attendance that the automaker decided to go ahead with a limited run of 300 vehicles. Each of the 1953 models shared the same color scheme - Polo White over red convertible - and were priced at $3,498 each (in 2006, the third 1953 Corvette produced sold for a record $1,060,000 at auction).
"Over the past six decades, the Corvette has been woven into the fabric of American culture, as the sports car of choice for movie stars, musicians, and astronauts," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. "The very best Corvettes represent the state-of-the-art for their eras in terms of design, technology and performance."
Few realize that the Chevrolet Corvette is the world's longest-running, continuously produced passenger car (the Porsche 911 didn't start production until 1963). And, with the all-new C7 in showrooms later this year, America's sports car doesn't show any signs of wanting to give up the coveted title. Be sure to check out the press release below for more interesting Corvette facts.

Mitsubishi recalling 2011 Outlander Sport over panoramic roofs that may fly off

The panoramic roof offered on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a great way to make the cabin feel more open, but some owners of the compact CUV could get a little more openness than they bargained for. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall for Outlander Sport models built between August 2010 and March 2011 due to the possibility that the panoramic roof could fly off.
On about 3,200 Outlander Sport models in the US and Puerto Rico, a potentially improper installation process could have resulted in a lack of adhesive primer between the glass and the roof, which could allow the glass to detach from the vehicle and become dangerous debris on the road. Fortunately, it sounds like there have only been two instances of detached roofs, and neither was in the US. As a fix, Mitsubishi dealers will check to make sure the primer was used, and if not, the glass will be reinstalled following the proper procedure. Scroll down for the official NHTSA recall notice.

Watch this 1,000-mile Lamborghini Espada road trip

The Lamborghini Espada was four-passenger GT built by the Italian automaker from 1968-1978. While some may consider its appearance ungainly, a 60-degree, 4.0-liter V12 fed by Weber carburetors generated 350 horsepower, enough to give the 3,600-pound two-door spirited performance when compared to its peers. Making the driving experience even more engaging was its standard rear-wheel drive, a slick five-speed manual gearbox and a lack of power steering (the automaker offered an automatic and power steering on later models).
Whether or not you are a fan of this unique four-seater or its era, this Evo magazine video of editor Harry Metcalfe touring France as he makes his way along the epic Route Napoléon (today, part of a 200-mile section of Route Nationale 85) is worthy of its 19-minute run time - if not for just the sound of the wailing twelve-cylinder engine.
The mountain portions are simply spectacular, and Metcalfe does his usual excellent job narrating as he joyfully coaxes the GT's narrow tires (205/70-15) around each corner, calling the Lamborghini a "four-wheel drift machine," but actually preferring its high-speed capabilities. We particularly enjoyed his fuel stop, explaining the odd top-off procedure, as well as his early morning pre-flight when he realized that the Lamborghini had been running on only 11 cylinders during the previous day's segment. Watch the joy in the journey below.

Jay Leno sees how the other half lives with CHP cop cars new and old

Comedian Jay Leno is changing gears from driving fast cars to checking out some of the police cruisers that regularly chase down and dish out punishment to those fast cars. In this episode of Jay Leno's Garage, we get the lowdown on the modifications made to the Ford Explorer for the Interceptor package (which looks pretty tough in its California Highway Patrol livery).
The new Ford is cool, but cooler still are the pack of classic CHP cars that Jay has along for the episode. A 1982 Mustang, 1966 Dodge Polara, 1970 Mercury Monterey and 2000 Crown Victoria are all in the shop. Better still, Jay lays out an argument for ones of the classic cruisers as the best cop car of all time. Get your guesses in now, and then scroll down to watch and learn.

First new Datsun in decade sketched, set for Indian reveal

Nissan's Datsun nameplate revival will begin with two models bound for the Indian market. Nissan has released sketches of a five-door hatchback based on the Micra (codenamed K2) and a top-down view of a hood that could potentially be from a sedan.
The company's press release says all will be revealed on July 15 in New Delhi, India. The Datsun lineup will be first offered in 2014 to that country's ride-deprived residents as well as Indonesia and Russia. Later in 2014, South Africa will join the list.
We've heard Nissan plans for Datsuns to share platforms with company-owned Lada. In January, we heard the projected price tag could be around $3,000 USD to compete with Chinese imports. The official press release (which can be read in full below) says nothing about either of these reports, however.

2014 Mazda3 sedan teaser surfaces, authenticity questioned

Thanks to our ever-industrious readers, we've received a number of tips today about the as-yet-unseen sedan variant of the 2014 Mazda3. All center on the image above, which is claimed to be a leaked first look at the new compact. It certainly looks convincing enough, with its short rear deck, graceful almond-shaped taillamps, nicely sculpted bumper fascia and somewhat tacked-on rear spoiler, suggesting the pictured car is an uplevel model. We think it looks great, but if it's the real deal, we have to wonder how large the trunk opening will be.
We decided to reach out to our sources at Mazda, who expressed some doubt as to its authenticity, with one official commenting that based on this individual image, "[It's] hard to tell if it's real, or someone guessed what it'll look like by grafting a Mazda3 badge onto a Mazda6 tail." We won't have to wait long to figure out for sure, however - the sedan reveal is promised in a few weeks' time.

Ford supports bid for Detroit Rallycross race with Motown-minded Fiesta ST vid

As Ford continues its cheerleading effort to help bring the 2014 Summer X Games to its hometown of Detroit, MI, it has released footage of its 2014 Fiesta ST Rallycross car on location at some of the city's well-known landmarks. This video appears to have been shot around the same time as the previous X Games Detroit video was made, but it focuses 100-percent on rally car action.
With Ford Racing driver Andreas Eriksson behind the wheel, this Fiesta ST lays down some serious rubber atop Detroit's Cobo Hall parking structure, at Belle Isle and around the Michigan Central Depot. Detroit isn't alone in the bid for a three-year X Games contract as Chicago, Austin and Charlotte are also hoping to play host. The winning host city is expected to be announced this summer. Scroll down for Ford's two-minute video showing the Fiesta ST Rallycrossing through the Motor City.

Toyota Camry incentives and fleet sales cranked to keep sales crown, insiders worried

We've been watching for some time now as Toyota has piled more incentives on the hood of its Camry sedan, and Automotive News reports that the we're not the only ones with raised eyebrows. The current Camry hasn't even been on the market for two years, but the family sedan segment is more hotly contested than it has been in years. It's that high level of competition that has led the automaker to uncharacteristically add more money on the hood in order to assure it maintains its long-held title of America's Best-Selling Car, a mantle it has owned for a dozen years. It's ramping up fleet sales, too.
According to the analysts at TrueCar, Toyota has bumped incentives per unit every month this year, now totaling some $2,750 as of May, a 38-percent hike over this time last year. That's more spiff money than the segment's other best sellers, the Nissan Altima ($2,400), Ford Fusion ($2,300) and Honda Accord ($1,400), all of whom have actually decreased their incentive spend by 20- to 40-percent over the same period.
The ramp up in incentive spending and fleet sales has analysts concerned that Toyota will tarnish the Camry's historically sterling resale value. ALG pegs the 2013 Camry's current 36-month residual value at 54.4 percent, well ahead of the segment average's 50.9 percent (but shy of the Accord's 55.6 percent). However, analysts are concerned that as the current generation ages, their resale values will eventually plummet if incentives continue to increase as Toyota looks to keep the Camry's best-selling car crown going forward.