2002 Honda Odyssey Ex Mini Passenger Van 5-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Watch this LSR Honda Insight crash at 190 mph in the desert

Like any form of motorsports, attempts at breaking land speed records are inherently dangerous. To wit: During a recent speed competition at El Mirage dry lake beds in southern California, racer Brian Gillespie and his first-gen Honda Insight crashed at nearly 190 miles per hour, and it was all caught on video.
According to the Southern California Timing Association website, which hosts the event, the weather was good and there was no wind on November 10, so it isn't clear what may have caused the crash. Despite the car being destroyed (including the entire front end being sheared off), Gillespie suffered only "minor injuries" and is recovering. The SCTA site does state that Gillespie managed to crack the 200-mile-per-hour mark in a previous run with a top speed of 200.9 mph, so congratulations to him on that! Scroll down to watch the horrifying crash.

A tough choice: 2017 Honda CR-V vs. 2017 Mazda CX-5

One has to feel for the typical new-car buyer. The one not reading Autoblog and the one who recognizes a V8 as vegetable juice. For them, picking between compact crossovers must seem like choosing between various identically sized cardboard boxes. Which one do you want? "Ah, I'll take the one with the best deal." Except, with the 2017 Honda CR-V and now the 2017 Mazda CX-5, Joe P. Everyman has a chance to choose between two vehicles that are quite clearly different, yet also clearly leaders in what they do. Everything else seems like alternatives based on price or perhaps off-road readiness (Jeeps Compass and Cherokee, perhaps a Subaru Forester). As scheduling would have it, a 2017 CR-V Touring just happened to be sitting in my garage the week I was set to drive the new CX-5 Grand Touring in San Diego. This isn't a complete, scientifically enacted comparison test, but there was enough drive time in close succession on the same roads and with similar price tags to draw conclusions. At its simplest, the CX-5 is the best choice for the driver while the CR-V is the best choice for everyone else aboard. That's not to say they are myopic in those classifications – the CX-5 could still ably handle family duty, while the CR-V is impressively well-rounded to drive in a way that shouldn't turn off those seeking some driving involvement. However, each has a clear focus that sets it down a different path toward different target buyers. Let's start with the newer kid on the block from Mazda. It is best suited for the person whose life changes have dictated the switch from an agile car to some sort of family hauler. Its spot-on steering and throttle response evoke Porsche, while the six-speed automatic transmission favors performance over fuel economy (while still getting really good fuel economy). Those dynamic elements, plus a carefully crafted, ideal driving position should make the CX-5 feel "just right" for those used to more sporting, non-family-oriented transport. Inside, the latest CX-5 boasts a handsome, upscale design with materials to match. Aesthetically, to these eyes at least, it's the best of a crowded bunch. Quality-wise, only the also-impressive CR-V would seem to come close. Along with the slick new exterior, the cabin conveys the more premium vibe that Mazda was shooting for with the new CX-5 – it also makes a more emotional connection than the typical cardboard box on wheels.

Renderings have us excited for reinvigorated Honda Civic Si

Realistically, we know there's no way the new Honda Civic Si will look exactly like the stunning, green, two-door coupe that debuted at the 2015 New York Auto Show. But, as these renderings show, there is a future where the production Si will look very nearly as good as that concept car. Now, it's very important to note that these are not official renderings. Instead, they've been assembled by CivicX.com, and are based on everything from the production Civic sedan, to spy shots of the upcoming coupe, to the flashy concept that foreshadowed the new compact earlier this year. Inspiration was also drawn from previous Si models. As always, take these shots with a grain of salt. That warning has never been so hard to follow, though. These renderings show off a coupe that is very nearly as cool as the concept, while still remaining firmly planted in the real world. In our mind, the front end is the most accurate part of these renderings, taking the production Civic Sedan's and applying a suitable layer of aggression. Other aspects look good, but are probably a bit too fanciful, like the huge wheels and ultra-low-profile tires – seriously, those look like 35-series rubber. That's madness. We aren't crazy about the back, either. With that pedestal spoiler, huge taillight element, and busy rear bumper, there's just too much going on at the tail of these Civic Si renderings. We wouldn't mind seeing a smaller spoiler, perhaps one that doesn't so heavily obscure the handsome fastback tail. A wider diffuser would help, too. It seems underdeveloped here, almost like it was tacked on at the last minute. Check out the full range of renderings, which give us a look at a potential version of the new Si in a variety of traditional colors, including what looks like Taffeta White and Rallye Red. Related Video: