There are a select few crossovers or SUVs that can perform on a racetrack. For the most part, they come from German automakers and cost just shy of six figures.

Mazda has been having some financial troubles recently and need something new to help them recover. The company hopes that this savior is a mini sized CX-5 (shown above) SUV offering. A miniature CX-5 is now under development, a Mazda insider told car advice, and is looking to capitalize on the current boom in small SUV sales.

Mazda has a very rich heritage in racing and motorsports, and now they’ll be able to share highlights from their Mazda-centric series of races through the Velocity network.

Mazda claims that the future of driving begins now with their Skyactiv Technology, and they’ll be running some new ads to support just that.

Dubbed “Revolution”, the new television commercial will reinforce that Mazda hasn’t lost sight of its “Zoom-Zoom” position in the marketplace just because they’ve been working on ways to improve fuel efficiency in its new vehicles.

Over the years, the Japanese automaker has been responsible for the creation of the ever-popular Miata and the iconic RX-8, alongside with rotary engines. They are also the only Asian car company to ever win the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans. And while most of us have Mazda embedded in our minds as a performance-oriented manufacturer, their new Skyactiv Technology looks to make vehicles more efficient through advanced engineering solutions.

Simply put, Mazda just wants to reiterate to the world that “If it’s not worth driving, it’s not worth building”.

Watch the extended and standard versions of the new Mazda Revolution ads after the break, and check out Mazda`s new Dr. Seuss themed ad.

Mazda has found a clever way of co-branding with a Hollywood blockbuster this year, teaming up with the children’s themed, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. While Acura has teamed up with the new Avengers movie, the Mazda CX-5’s appearance in The Lorax is not only more believable, but will surely have kids asking their parents why they don’t own a CX-5.

Mazda has launched a “Seuss-ified” advertising campaign to promote its partnership with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming film which is set to hit theaters on March 2nd. The big selling point for Mazda with the partnership is its new Skyactiv Technology, geared towards increasing fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

In the new ad spots, the CX-5 is seen traveling through “Truffula Valley” and is “Truffula Tree Certified” as main characters in the movie talk about the new Skyactiv Technology, including Danny DeVito who voices The Lorax in the film.

“The Lorax character’s view of the environment fits in exactly with Mazda and SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, so the two were a perfect match for a commercial,” said Illumination Entertainment founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. “By staying true to who the Lorax and other Truffula Valley animals are we were able to create a fun and engaging spot.”

This won’t be the only marketing we’ll see with Mazda and the upcoming film, as Garage Team Mazda will be creating a custom graphic icon of the “Truffula Tree Seal of Approval” to be used on stickers, buttons, and other collateral marketing material.

Mazda will also be donating up to $25 per test drive, up to $1-million in total to the National Education Association (NEA) from February 20th to April 2nd, as part of the organization’s Read Across America Program.

Watch the Dr. Seuss digitized version of the Mazda CX-5 after the break.

In an ever continuing effort to provide more active safety technology to more cars, innovations once exclusive to premium and luxury vehicles are trickling down to family vehicles.

The Mazda Takeri concept was first unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and premiered Mazda’s “KODO-soul of motion” design language.

Mazda has had a net loss $1.29 billion this fiscal year, and is now actively seeking any way possible to help out with its uncertain financial future. This is the worst slide Mazda has been in since 2001, when it showed a $2.0 billion net loss.

The original Mazda Miata was debuted at the Chicago Auto Show all the way back in 1989, so it seems fitting that Mazda is showing off a new special edition of the current Miata at the 2012 Chicago Auto show.

Mazda has announced that the all-new 2013 CX-5 Sport compact crossover will start at $20,695. While the CX-5 is priced well below the segment sales leaders, the new compact crossover will still feature the latest in Mazda SkyActiv Technology.

Mazda will debut its 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show, a limited-production model of just 450 units. The special edition MX-5 will feature a black-only power retractable hard top.

Mazda has issued out a recall notice for 2001-2002 model year Tribute SUVs for a faulty brake master cylinder reservoir cap that can leak brake fluid. If the fluid does leak, it can come into contact with the ABS wiring harness connector that could result in corrosion developing in the electrical connector. In a worst case scenario, melting, smoking or possibly fire could result.

Out photographers have snapped several spy photos of the upcoming Mazda 6 undergoing testing in the frozen European north. Underneath this current-generation body there’s plenty of new equipment to evaluate, from an all-new Skyactiv chassis and suspension system, right down to the engine and a start-stop system mated to an innovative regenerative braking system.

Those eagerly awaiting the launch of a diesel Mazda finally have some solid news about the oil-burner’s arrival in the U.S. According to the latest reports, Mazda is planning to have its diesel model on sale in early 2013 – just around 12 months away.

According to reports, the all-new Mazda 6 will be unveiled at the upcoming 2012 Paris Auto Show.

One of numerous Mazdas on display at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, the Demio (sold as the Mazda2 in North America) Smart Stylish, delivers as promised with a classy look that adds some luxury appeal to this sub-compact.

Mazda North America announced official fuel economy numbers today for its new CX-5, with the compact crossover besting all other crossovers and SUVs.

What’s the best car of 2012? Who knows. Is a Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 better than a Ferrari 458 Italia? What about the Scion FR-S? Or a Prius Plug-in Hybrid? The past year has seen the launch of numerous excellent vehicles, including some we really didn’t expect to be any good. That said, we’ve put together our list of the top five surprisingly good cars of 2012, starting with the updated Mazda3.

The highlight on Mazda’s stand will be the MX-5 NR-A ‘Jimba-Ittai’ (translates to: rider and horse as one) track special. Apart from the funky paint schemes, the MX-5 NR-A will feature 16-inch Enkei alloy rims with Bridgestone tires, 20-mm lower height, Endless brake pads and Takata four-point racing harness, among some other changes.

Although it’s providing a fleet of some 100 Demio (Mazda2) all-electric vehicles to select lease customers in Japan (see above), Mazda doesn’t currently offer any other EV passenger vehicles.

With only about three weeks until 2012, the Australian car market could end 2011 with a new best-selling sedan for the first time in 15 years. Although the Holden Commodore has been Australia’s favorite and a sales leader since 1997, Australia’s Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries revealed that the Mazda3 has currently sold 301 more units than the Holden. What’s more, the Commodore faces a threat from another Japanese sedan, the Toyota Corolla, which has managed to gain “top-seller” honors for four months out of 2011.

Ward’s Auto released their 10 Best Engines List for 2012 today, and no surprise here but direct-injection and turbocharging – the two big trends for today’s automotive era – are heavily represented.

Car and Driver’s annual 10Best Cars awards are back and while other publications focus on the best new cars of the year, what makes Car And Driver’s 10Best unique is its consideration of all vehicles that are currently on sale.

To go with the supposed 1.3L turbocharged powerplant the next-generation MX-5 will be getting, Mazda‘s MX-5 development boss Hirotaka Kanazawa also revealed that the 2014 MX-5 will go to a back-to-basics approach towards being a fun sportscar, just like the 1989 original model.

Now a unnamed senior company source has revealed that the new Mazda6 will spawn a coupe model, which will be based on the stunning Takeri concept car, which was a hit at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.

The Tokyo Motor Show has come and gone and won’t be back for another two years. If you missed out on all the excitement (and wacky concept cars) then watch AutoGuide’s video wrapup, with ten short spots highlighting all the most exciting new models. If you’re after more in-depth coverage, then see our Tokyo Motor Show page her e and see all of our videos at the AutoGuide YouTube page here.

Watch more videos from the Tokyo Motor Show below:

A while back, we reported that the next-generation Mazda MX-5 would be going on a major diet and could be powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged powerplant rather than the 1.8L or 2.0L naturally aspirated motor used today. Now reports are coming in that the new MX-5 will likely sport a 1.3L turbocharged four-cylinder, with Mazda’s SkyActive technology.

As Honda and Toyota soldier on with the same old designs, Mazda has taken heed of the attractively styled products coming out of Korea these days and decided to fire back. Using the brand’s new Kodo design language the Takeri Concept is a look at the next-generation Mazda6. Based on an all-new platform and powered by a diesel engine it’s also the first example of a Mazda vehicle using the brand’s new i-ELOOP regenerative braking technology.

During a press conference at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda‘s global chief, Takashi Yamanouchi said that a rotary powered MX-5 is a possibility down the road; he also went onto say that the company might consider merging its two separate sports car lines [MX-5 and RX-8], into one.

Kicking off the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda unveiled a stunning new concept car that will eventually head to production as the next generation Mazda6 family sedan. A shot at the bold styling direction of brands like Hyundai and Kia, Mazda’s new Kodo design language is certain to bring much needed attention to Mazda dealerships with the sort of styling one might normally associate with a premium European brand.

Mazda aims to build a vehicle assembly plant in Russia as the automaker recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Russian firm Sollers for a new joint venture.

There was a time in North America that the letters “TDI” and the word “diesel” was unknown. In fact, most American consumers wouldn’t even understand the idea of a diesel-powered passenger car, save for the dreadful Oldsmobile diesels of the 1970’s. But times have changed, or rather gasoline prices have skyrocketed, and more and more Americans are embracing the idea of a diesel-powered passenger car.

When Mazda unveils its new Takeri concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show next week, the company will be showing off more than just some shiny sheetmetal. Underneath that sleek new bodywork will be a new engineering solution in the war to conserve fuel and boost fuel economy.

Mazda unveiled their latest entry into the compact crossover market at the Los Angeles Auto Show Wednesday, with the 2013 CX-5.  The CX-5 will be the first vehicle to use a full suite of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technologies, designed to reduce weight and increase fuel economy without compromising the sporty character of Mazda’s offerings.

MINI has announced that they will be entering the B-Spec racing class in 2012, with MINI of Charleston, a franchise owned by Hendrick Automotive Group.

While Thailand is mostly known for sandy beaches, fake watches and other pleasures that need to be paid for in cash, Thailand has a strong manufacturing base, with many automakers producing vehicles and components in the developing nation.

Reports are coming in that Mazda is planning to overhaul four of its existing models by 2014. The four models up for redesigns are the Mazda3, Mazda6, MX-5 and CX-9. We’ve already seen the new patent drawings for the upcoming MX-5 refresh, which will hopefully come in 2013 along with a new Mazda3 and CX-9.

It’s plenty of fun even with just 100-hp, but Mazda isn’t called the Zoom Zoom brand for nothing. Revealed today at the 2011 SEMA Show is a tuner car concept dubbed the Mazda2 Turbo. Rather than some bolt-on turbocharger this sub-compact gets a complete swap from its big-brother, the Mazdaspeed3.

Aping the roof structure of the Porsche Boxster Spyder, Mazda has unveiled its own lighter-weight drop-top at th e SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Using a light-weight tarp-like design, the Spyder’s top is affixed in the front to the top of the windshield, while the rear buckles into mounts located in the truck. Mazda has yet to reveal exactly how much weight this removes from the vehicle, but it’s certain to shed at least a few pounds – and on an already light weight car like the MX-5, even pound counts.

If you aren’t familiar with the gravely rumble of a diesel powered vehicle you probably will be soon.