Welcome to the Hooniverse News! This is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or the bull. I also throw in a little opinion of mine, just because I can. This week:

• The all-new 2014 Mazda3 is here

• Ford offering a sport truck again with the F-150 Tremor

• BMW prices the 2014 X5

• Event Alert: The HAWK at Road America

2014 Mazda3

Mazda’s best-selling vehicle is getting a complete makeover for the 2014 model year, complete with a new drivetrain,  styling, and a reworked interior. This will also be the first Mazda3 to take full advantage of Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, which means the car will be more efficient yet quicker than before when it goes on sale this Fall.

Mazda’s new “KODO” design language means that the happy face styling is gone from this five-door compact, and in its place is an entirely new front end design for the 3 that features more aggressive styling. The rest of the car is more raked than before and has a cab rearward posture, again, to look more aggressive. The form has a purpose besides just looking good, as it’s also been aerodynamically optimized for efficiency. Behind the five-point grille is a nifty drag-reducing shutter system that also leads to improved fuel efficiency at higher speeds.

North American buyers will get to choose from two engines – a Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Both are gasoline-powered, but other markets will have more alternatives, including a diesel and hybrid for Japan. The 2.0-liter produces 155 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque while the 2.5-liter motor produces 184 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Another new feature is Mazda’s i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system, which uses a capacitor to store energy from deceleration and uses it to maximize efficiency by reducing drag of the alternator whenever possible.

The all-new interior is claimed to be more driver-focused, with intuitive control layouts, improved visibility, and an optional Active Driving Display – a clear popup panel that displays speed, navigation, and other information and folds out of sight when the car is off. Mazda’s infotainment system also receives an overhaul, designed to be more intuitive and less distracting and designed to connect to a wide variety of smartphone devices via Bluetooth. Sirius Satellite Radio and web-based apps are just some of the features the system has to offer now. An optional Bose premium audio system is available too. The Mazda3 also comes loaded with safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning System, and Smart City Brake Support among others.

In terms of comfort, three seating materials (cloth, leatherette, and leather) will be offered. The front seats have been redone to provide a better driving position and more knee-room for the guys in the back.  

Pricing is not available yet, but we do know the Mazda3 will be offered as both a five-door and a sedan.

[Source: Mazda]

2014 Ford F-150 Tremor

For now, it seems that this is the closest thing to a new F-150 Lightning that we’ll get. The 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor is a new offering in the F-150 lineup powered by EcoBoost and optimized for sportiness.

The short-wheelbase, regular-cab Tremor benefits from Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 which produces 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine utilizes twin independent variable camshaft timing and 90% of peak torque is available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm.  A six-speed automatic is the only transmission available. To help with acceleration and quick launches, Ford has given the Tremor a 4.10 rear axle (the shortest final drive ratio in any EcoBoost truck) and an electronic locking rear differential available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions. Fuel efficiency is estimated to be sixteen mpg city and twenty-two mpg highway, which helps with their claim of V8 performance with V6 efficiency.

The Tremor comes with a “custom-inspired” FX Appearance package, because nothing says “custom” like a factory-offered package similar to what you can get on other F-150s. Nevertheless, the package includes flat-black accents, twenty-inch flat-black wheels, bodyside graphics, and special badging. The interior also features a more sporting look, with black leather bucket seats, red piping, brushed metal accents, Alcantara inserts, and a red stitched steering wheel. It’s also the only regular cab F-150 to feature a flow-through center console and a floor shifter. Other standard features include HID headlamps and MyFord Touch, which they say has been optimized for users who happen to be wearing work gloves in a sport truck.

The Ford F-150 Tremor will go on sale later this year. Pricing is not available yet.

[Source: Ford | Images: Autoweek]

2014 BMW X5 priced

About a month ago now, BMW revealed the third generation of the X5. It sports a variety of new styling features inside and out as well as new mechanical goodness. The price for all this starts at $53,725.

That cash will get you a newly available rear-wheel drive X5 sDrive35i, while the xDrive35i (all-wheel drive) is available for $56,025, both of which feature a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six producing 300 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. Diesel power is available in the X5 xDrive35d which starts at $57,525 and gets to play with 255 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft. of torque. For buyers who want more than what any of those other engines have to offer, $69,125 puts you in a X5 xDrive50i featuring a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 445 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. 0-60 mph takes just 4.9 seconds with that one.

BMW is also offering three distinct Lines with the new X5 for people who want more than the standard specification has to offer. The xLine features underbody protection elements in stainless steel, matte silver air intake bars, glossy black B and C-pillars, satin aluminum window trim, and nineteen-inch or twenty inch wheels. The Luxury Line features more body color trim pieces, high gloss black and chrome kidney grilles, and more high gloss black trim for a more premium look. Finally, the M Sport Line offers a bespoke M aerodynamic kit, Shadowline trim, nineteen or twenty-inch M Sport wheels, paddle shifters on an M Sport steering wheel, anthracite headliner, aluminum hexagonal trim, and sport seats.

In addition to the three Lines offered, the BMW X5 can also be equipped with the Ivory White or Mocha Interior Design Package for two unique cabin environments. The pricing of the three Lines and the interior design packages were not disclosed.

The petrol-driven 2014 BMW X5s will hit North American showrooms late this year with the diesel X5 arriving early 2014.

[Source: BMW] 

Event Alert: The HAWK at Road America

I’m sure we’ve got a few readers near Elkhart Lake, WI, so it only seemed right to bring this to your attention. On July 18-21, Road America will host The HAWK, a vintage race event sponsored by Carlisle Performance.

Event organizers are expecting everything from original 1940 Ford NASCAR stock car to a variety of Mustangs, Corvettes, Lolas, and Bugattis to hit the track for some good old-fashioned fun. After the track session, each car will be driven into downtown Elkhart Lake for a street festival and to let the public check out the cars up close. It’s sure to be a really neat event that brings owners and enthusiasts together at one of America’s greatest road courses. And there will be bars. On the 19th there will also be a concourse so owners can show off their beauties once more.

So if you’re anywhere near Road America on July 18-21, consider yourself lucky.

[Source: Road America]