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World Car Awards finalists snub American-branded vehicles — except for Bronco

The list of World Car Awards has been whittled down to 10 finalists, but only one American brand — Ford — appears among the remaining nine carmakers for this yearÂ’s top award. The Bronco is there, and it also is balloted as a finalist in the design category. The other categories are performance car, urban car, electric vehicle and luxury model. Each category has five finalists except World Car, which has 10. One brand conspicuous by its absence in any category: Tesla. The winner in each is scheduled to be crowned March 27 at the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan. This year marks the 20th year of the World Car Awards and the partnership with the New York show. The selection process involves 100-plus automotive journalists from 29 countries who vote, as they review and test-drive the eligible vehicles for the 2024 awards. Their journey is captured virtually on World Car TV. If youÂ’re counting, the brands that appear most on the six finals lists are Mercedes-Benz (four times), BMW (also four), Hyundai (three), and Volvo (three). HereÂ’s the full listing. A video clip showing all of them is here: World Car -BYD Seal / Atto 4 -Ford Bronco -Hyundai Kona / Kona Electric -Hyundai Santa Fe -Kia EV9 -Mazda CX-90 -Subaru Crosstrek -Toyota Prius -Volkswagen ID.7 -Volvo EX30 World Car Design of the Year Ford Bronco Ferrari Purosangue Toyota Prius Volvo EX30 Zeekr X 2024 World Electric Vehicle BMW i5 Kia EV9 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Volkswagen ID.7 Volvo EX30 2024 World Luxury Car - BMW 5 Series / i5 - Lexus LM - Mercedes-Benz CLE - Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 2024 World Urban Car  - Abarth 500e - BYD Dolphin - Lexus LBX - Suzuki Fronx - Volvo EX30 2024 World Performance Car - BMW M2 - BMW XM - Ferrari Purosangue - Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid

2019 Mazda CX-5 Review and Buying Guide | The driver's choice

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 stands out in an ever-expanding field of similarly sized compact crossovers. There are several good options for shoppers looking to replace the traditional family sedan with something that sits up a little higher and offers some added utility via a reasonably sized open cargo area instead of a closed-off trunk. But if you really enjoy spending time behind the wheel, there isn’t a small crossover that can match the Mazda CX-5Â’s blend of excellent driving dynamics, practicality and affordability. For that reason, weÂ’d suggest that everyone shopping in this segment should take the CX-5 for a test drive. WhatÂ’s new for 2019? The CX-5 gets its first significant update since being completely redesigned for 2017. There are two new engine choices. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the more powerful option the CX-5 has always needed, while the new 2.2-liter diesel engine is the answer for those who want better fuel economy. Every CX-5 benefits from a retuned suspension setup and MazdaÂ’s G-vectoring Control Plus system, which are intended to improve the 2019 CX-5Â’s handling. A revised infotainment system loses its touchscreen capability but now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (it is not, however, the all-new and greatly improved system found in the Mazda3). Also new for 2019 is a top-spec Signature trim level that adds a layer of wood and chrome trim to the interior to go along with attractive brown leather upholstery and a 360-degree camera monitor. A set of 19-inch Dark Silver aluminum wheels and unique badging round out the noteworthy Signature upgrades. WhatÂ’s the CX-5's interior and technology like? The CX-5 boasts a handsome, upscale design with materials to match. The cabin conveys the more premium vibe that Mazda is increasingly shooting for – it also makes a more emotional connection than the typical cardboard box on wheels. Its top two trim levels, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, boast seats that are heated all around and ventilated up front, covered in high-quality leather with contrast French stitching. There's stitching on the dash too, though it goes through rubbery stuff. The padded and stitched pleather on the doors and center console are a nicer touch, as is the subtle dark wood and alloy trim – especially the air vents that seem to jut out from within the dash.

Mazda patents show rotary engine for range-extended EV

Two years ago, Mazda introduced a fascinating range-extended electric car called the Mazda2 RE Range-Extender. It took an electric Mazda2, and dropped in an itty-bitty 330cc rotary engine. It wasn't the rotary-powered sports car we had hoped for, but it seemed like a unique way to keep the quirky engine alive and kicking. But not long after the car's reveal, it seemed to disappear. Now the basic idea has resurfaced with a few modern updates in a couple of US patents. The first patent is pretty straightforward and describes a range-extended EV similar to the BMW i3. At the front is an electric motor driving the front wheels. At the back is an internal combustion engine that powers an electric generator. In the middle is a lithium-ion battery for storing and delivering electricity. It's the same set-up as that Mazda2. The second patent is for an engine start-and-stop system, but specifically for rotary engines. The system is designed to shut off a rotary engine when not needed, much as modern piston engines do. It also stops the rotor in a position that closes the intake port to ensure no fuel or exhaust emissions slip out through the intake tract. This is necessary since there are no valves in a rotary, and air and exhaust come through ports that are "opened" and "closed" by the rotor itself. The patent also describes the possibility of firing a spark plug after the fuel has been cut to eliminate any leftover fuel emissions. This system would theoretically improve a rotary engine's fuel economy and emissions significantly, which would be a boon as those are two of the rotary's major weaknesses. The rotary-engine patent also includes the same range-extended powertrain drawing as the first patent. It's there as a description of a possible application. And in such an application, where the rotary wouldn't have to run all the time, the system could take advantage of the rotary's inherent strengths. Weight can be kept low thanks to the engine's small dimensions, which should help in keeping the car sprightly and efficient. Rotaries are renowned for smoothness, too, so it shouldn't need too much refining and sound deadening, the latter of which adds more weight. The small size would also help with packaging, leaving more space for people, cargo, or possibly batteries. And since it has been patented, the company may be looking to bring the system to market.