Who's teaching the teens?

“Here's how you prove you're qualified to teach driving in Colorado: Fill a glass container with ice. Breathe on the glass. If condensation forms, you're in.” So said Ronn Langford, founder and CEO of MasterDrive (online at www.masterdrive.com), a driving school based in Colorado Springs, Colo., that also operates in California's Orange County.

Mitsubishi set to unveil three concepts in Tokyo

Mitsubishi is planning the world debut of three concept cars at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013. The Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV is the first of three concepts and will be a full-size SUV powered by a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) system. The GC-PHEV will offer preventative safety technology and driver support technology in addition to wireless connectivity.

Mazda's rotary engine stalled, not forgotten

Development of the next-generation rotary engine from Mazda Motor Corp., first unveiled three years ago, is making slow progress despite missing emissions targets. A top Mazda powertrain executive said today that the 1.6-liter rotary engine, called the 16X, is about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than the current rotary engine used in the RX-8 sporty car. In fact, the 16X so far performs slightly better than Mazda's standard two-liter gasoline engine, said Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of the Japanese carmaker's powertrain division.