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One Lap of the Web: Mock the Week Edition

-- Mazda Europe designer Peter Birthwhistle talks about the future of Mazda: potential hybrid and electric powertrains for the Skyactiv-obsessed company, and how we'll all be driving Mazda-branded pods in the 22nd century. But he also mentions, rather interestingly, how certain Mazdas capture a quintessentially long-hood, RWD look -- and not just the Miata, either, which is RWD. No, it's the exhaust systems on those Skyactiv engines that force a longer, larger hood compartment, and the "long, flowing looks" not usually found on FWD engines.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid: First photos of the production hybrid

Toyota Yaris Hybrid in production guise Toyota has revealed the first photos of the production version of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid ahead of a public reveal at Geneva 2012. We’re still not really sure we understand Toyota’s policy when it comes to hybrid cars. It’s clear they still see hybrid as the future, but they no longer seem to believe that Prius is a brand to promote hybrid goodness, at least not in Europe.

Nissan IDx concepts tour Cali

Having traveled from the Tokyo motor show to the Detroit auto show, Nissan's Datsun-inspired IDx concepts are on to much warmer weather. The upcoming three-day tour, starting Jan. 31, will begin in Venice, Calif., on Abbot Kinney Boulevard.