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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

2014 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year finalists announced [w/poll]

The 2014 North American International Auto Show is right around the corner, which means it's high time we found out which cars and trucks would be finalists for the prestigious North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year awards.
The finalists - three in cars and three in three trucks/utilities - are dominated by American brands, with two-thirds of the finalists hailing from either General Motors or Chrysler (don't worry Ford, there's always next year), while outliers from Mazda and Acura can be found in each contest. Here now is the list of finalists for the big prizes:
2014 North American Car of the Year:

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.