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Watch this perfect parody of Ken Block's Gymkhana videos

Every one of Ken Block's Gymkhana videos is bigger and more ridiculous than the last. The goal at this point seems to top the previous production, be it with a custom AWD Mustang ripping through the streets of Los Angeles or a rally-prepped Ford Fiesta drifting around Dubai. Well, the YouTube channel Car Bros decided that the format was ripe for parody and have produced their own short video. It's called "Gympkhana: A #Viral Car #Action Video" and it captures everything that is overwrought and fun about the Gymkhana series. While the scale of Block's videos has increased and the productions are still entertaining, every new Gymkhana seems to rehash the same sights and sounds without really trying anything new. Rev the engine here, drift around there, spin 10 times inside this box, and then circle around that object. Rinse and repeat and repeat and repeat. Car Bros have produced a number of parody videos and the group seems to really get the finer details of the subjects they're spoofing. Everything you would expect from a Block video is here. Gympkhana features shaky title cards, gratuitous slow-motion camera work, and multiple drone shots with helicopter sounds dubbed in. It's obvious that the group took their time to plan out and capture the perfect low-budget Gymkhana. These guys prove that you don't need big, expensive productions with exotic vehicles in exotic locations to have some fun with a few cameras and a car.Related video: Auto News Humor Honda Wagon gymkhana

Toyota raises Japanese base wages for first time since 2008

Toyota is on track for record profits, and in return, its Japanese workers are receiving their first increase in base wages since 2008, plus higher pay based on seniority and a larger bonus for 2014. The Japanese automaker predicts the average laborer will net a 2.9 percent income gain.
The average Toyota employee will earn 2,700 yen ($26.28) more each month, a 0.8 percent increase from last year. Workers will also receive about 7,300 yen ($71.09) more monthly based on seniority and promotions. Finally, the company's union pushed through a median bonus of 2.44 million yen ($23,768) for 2014, the highest in 6 years.
The pay boost comes as Toyota forecasts a record 1.9-trillion yen ($18.5 billion) profit for the fiscal year ending on March 31, according to Bloomberg. It has been helped by the Japanese government's efforts to weaken the yen on international markets and expand inflation. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been asking businesses to increase compensation to end years of deflation and offset upcoming higher sales taxes. Honda and Nissan have also raised their wages there in recent months.

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: