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Mazda Kai concept hints at a more muscular, refined Mazda3

Mazda is packing some serious punch for the Tokyo Motor Show, unveiling a stylish hatchback it's calling the Kai Concept to go along with the earlier reveal of the show-stopping Vision Coupe. The compact five-door concept heralds a new generation of cars for the Japanese automaker, which is best known for making sporty, smallish and well-designed vehicles — such as the Mazda3, from which this concept derives its design direction. This version smooths over most of the Mazda3's sharp body creases in favor of smooth, undulating body panels that dramatically reflect light and reflect Mazda's KODO design language. It also gets more narrow, aggressive-looking headlights and a unique overhead profile, with two panes of glass that continue from the windshield and are intersected by a solid-color center, like a U-shaped moonroof. The Kai is powered by a next-generation Skyactiv-X combustion engine, which uses Mazda's proprietary compression ignition system to give the gas-powered engine the fuel efficiency, torque and initial acceleration response of a diesel powertrain. Which is encouraging, considering the Mazda3 already delivers impressive fuel economy. Inside, the concept hints at more refinement, with streamlined chrome accents popping from the black dash and interior panels. It all rests on Mazda's Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture that reflects human-centered design philosophy in everything from redesigned seats to maintain the spine's natural "S" curvature, to NVH tweaks to encourage a quieter, more comfortable ride. Mazda has said it plans to put this concept into production, but there's no word yet on when exactly that will be.Related Video:

Mazda teases a new compact SUV for Geneva

Mazda waited until the lights were out to tease the tidy rear end of a brand new crossover. The Japanese automaker didn't say much about the model that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, only calling it "a brand-new addition to the Mazda lineup," and "the second model in new-generation lineup." We're going to put our chips down on this being the next CX-3 crossover, which has been predicted to arrive by 2020. If that's so, we can expect a larger model than the one currently on sale. The present, first-gen CX-3 rides on the Mazda2 platform. The coming CX-3 will use the Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture supporting the new Mazda3, growing out of the subcompact class into the compact segment. According to one report last year, the extra girth is a play for better sales in the U.S. market. In 2017, Mazda sold more CX-3s in Australia than in the U.S. The stronger, stiffer platform will introduce Mazda3's delights such as the human-centric interior ergonomics, and hopefully the same driving dynamics that we called "the life of the compact sedan party" in our Mazda3 First Drive. Yes, that's all but certain to mean a torsion beam rear suspension, which was said to have been done for NVH reasons after Mazda said it "got a lot of complaints from the media" over the multi-link rear. The engine lineup should mirror the Mazda3 in the U.S., being the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder at launch, followed by the Skyactiv-X. We can probably expect more teasers before Geneva press days kick off on March 5. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

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: