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Mazda3, CX-5 earn IIHS Top Safety Picks

Mazda technologies like SkyActiv-Body and SkyActiv-Chassis, plus ultra-high-tensile steel, six airbags, "crusable" brake and accelerator pedal assembly and collapsible steering column have helped the 2013 Mazda3 and 2014 Mazda CX-5 win Top Safety Pick laurels from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It's the second year in a row for the Mazda3.
The accolade is earned by receiving "Good" marks for frontal moderate overlap crashes, side and rear impact crashes, and tests of roof strength. Remember, the small overlap test that the IIHS commenced in August 2012 has lately tripped up some makers who have excellent safety reputations.
The Mazda3 and CX-5 join offerings like the Dodge Dart, Hyundai Elantra, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Subaru Forester among the 117 vehicles so far declared Top Safety Picks - which is different than the 13 named Top Safety Picks+, mind you - for this year. Have a read of the press release below for more information.

Ever wonder how to really pronounce Japanese automaker names?

People tend to get very set in their ways when it comes to the pronunciation of words. Just look at the endless debates over whether or not to say the final 'e' in Porsche (which you should in terms of correct German enunciation). Or the argument about whether to follow the British convention and give the 'u' in Jaguar a special delivery or to say the 'ua' diphthong as more of a 'w' sound, as usually happens in the US.
This short video doesn't answer either of those automotive questions, but it does allow a native Japanese speaker to demonstrate the accepted pronunciations for several, major automakers from the country. One benefit is that it clears up the occasional debate over whether Nissan should be said with a long or short 'i' sound. Also, listen closely to how the female host says Mazda as Matsuda, the way it's actually said in the language. Even if this doesn't change the way you enunciate these brands, at least now you know the accurate way in Japanese.

Mazda RX-Vision Concept revives the rotary

Mazda continues fighting to keep the rotary alive, and with the RX-Vision concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the company unveils its dream for the engine's revival in a curvaceous sports coupe. Before any fans burst with excitement at the prospect, Mazda only "hopes" to have this gorgeous shape available in showrooms someday, for now. The RX-Vision starts with the classic elements of a front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports coupe by combining a long, low hood, short rear deck, and a passenger compartment way at the back. From there, Mazda's stylists add the swooping touches of the brand's Kodo design language. The result looks thoroughly modern and still subtly evokes generations of the RX-7 in the sculpted fenders and flowing roofline. Under that shapely hood hides Mazda's next-generation rotary, which the company has dubbed the Skyactiv-R. Unfortunately, details about it are quite scarce at the moment, including the displacement or even the number of rotors the engine uses. Still, Mazda is abundantly clear that development of the mill is very much moving forward. Mazda's designers opt for a retro flair inside with the deeply dished steering wheel and gauges in three pods. The rest is simple and elegant with a minimalist, metal gearshift rising from the center console and leather straps for door pulls. Finishing things off is a clean mix of red and black upholstery with a little carbon fiber for contrast. Expect live shots from Tokyo soon to show how the RX-Vision looks under the lights. Related Video: Mazda Reveals Mazda RX-VISION Concept -- Powered by next-generation rotary engine SKYACTIV-R, represents Mazda's vision of the future -- HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled the rotary-powered Mazda RX-VISION sports car concept at the Tokyo Motor Show*1 today. The rotary engine is a symbol of the company's "never-stop-challenging" spirit. RX-VISION represents a vision of the future that Mazda hopes to one day make into reality; a front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car with exquisite, KODO design-based proportions only Mazda could envision, and powered by the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine. Rotary engines feature a unique construction, generating power through the rotational motion of a triangular rotor. Overcoming numerous technical difficulties, Mazda succeeded in commercializing the rotary engine, fitting it in the Cosmo Sport (known as Mazda 110S overseas) in 1967.