DETROIT — U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating complaints that the automatic emergency braking systems on more than 1.7 million newer Hondas can stop the vehicles for no reason.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has 278 complaints that the problem can happen in 2017 through 2019 CR-V SUVs and 2018 and 2019 Accord sedans. The agency announced the probe in documents posted Thursday on its website.

This article includes independent illustrations for a hypothetical Nissan Z convertible made by Sugar Design and are neither related to nor endorsed by the Nissan brand.

The second-generation Nissan Leaf is nearing the end of its lifecycle with a rumored crossover successor already on its way, but the popular EV received one last update in Europe focused on styling. Mind you, the current generation was introduced in 2017 and received technological updates in 2020.

One of these machines is probably the quickest-accelerating factory-production four-door vehicle on the planet. The other one looks like a hastily welded-together DIY project powered by the two-stroke engine out of a Yamaha Banshee quad. Even though we're certain it's actually a well-thought-out and well-engineered project, even its rider refers to it as "sketchy." Let's see what happens when we line 'em up for a race.

Go ahead and watch the video before you keep reading. We'll wait.

Mazda is gradually revealing details about the CX-60 crossover it will unveil on March 8. Built on a long-awaited rear-wheel-drive platform, the soft-roader will help the Japanese firm move upmarket, and a preview of its interior shows us what's in store for passengers.

Japanese design trends had a significant influence on the cabin. Mazda explained that its designers were inspired by Ma, a name that denotes "the calm and dignified beauty of empty space," Kaichô, "the harmony which comes from mixing different materials and textures," and Musubu, "the uniquely Japanese way of blending textiles." In the CX-60, the materials used include maple wood, leather, Japanese textiles, and bright accents. It sounds like Mazda is leveraging its heritage in a bid to stand out from competitors in the premium space.

The Mazda CX-50 is the first in a new line of crossovers the Hiroshima automaker will be launching. It also welcomes a number of other firsts for Mazda when it comes to features, technology and production. This is the first Mazda ever with a panoramic sunroof and Mazda's Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Off-Road and Towing modes. This will also be the first Mazda vehicle to come down the line at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Ala. 

The new crossover also has a price info on the trim steps and standard equipment. The non-Turbo models are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The Turbos get a boosted 2.5-cylinder with 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane, 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane. Both engines shift through a six-speed automatic. Every example comes with i-Activ all-wheel drive and the Mi-Drive mode selector featuring Sport and Off-Road modes. Standard safety gear includes forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, driver attention alert, lane keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The car you’re looking at is the Toyota Origin, a frankly odd and very rare retro-styled four-door sedan from the year 2000. It features the tried and true 2JZ naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine, amazing technology, and suicide doors that make it clear to onlookers that this isn’t just another Camry. Now, it’s just a few years away from legality here in the USA and we’ve found a couple for sale on the other side of the globe.

The upcoming sixth-generation Honda CR-V made its spy debut last year but a new patent drawing that surfaced online gives us the best look yet at the exterior design of the Japanese SUV.

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This week in racing game news:

TOKYO — In September, Narumi Abe did something still rare in Japan: she bought a foreign car, picking a Peugeot e-208 over a Honda e because, she said, the Peugeot can travel longer distances between charges.

Abe joined a tiny, but growing, band of Japanese drivers who are eschewing home brands for foreign battery electric vehicles (EVs).

Porsche was out testing its 2023 LMDh racer earlier this week, providing some of the clearest images yet of the complete car. The evaluation, conducted with partner Penske Racing, covered some 1,200 miles over a period of several days at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.

Porsche says that the goal was to hone the interplay between the car's turbo V8, and its hybrid system, and figuring out the ideal tire setups for a number of race conditions. The 671-horsepower machine was only lightly camouflaged, perhaps more of an effort to make us think we were seeing something we shouldn't than actually trying to hide anything.

History is proof that when Toyota and Yamaha team up to build an engine, the result is wildly cool. The Lexus LFA's V10 was a shared effort between the two, and it's still arguably the best-sounding production engine ever made. Today's news concerns another engine developed between Toyota and Yamaha, but this one runs on hydrogen.

Yes, it's weird. This engine is a 5.0-liter V8 that is designed to run on hydrogen, not gasoline. The engine being developed by Yamaha starts out life as the 5.0-liter V8 found in cars like the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, RC F and others. Then, Yamaha makes modifications to the injectors, cylinder heads, intake manifold "and more." As of now, Yamaha doesn't seem keen on revealing all its secrets, but at least we know this is happening.

Toyota is reportedly planning on a mid-life facelift for the Corolla, with the updated model rumored to debut this October in Japan, featuring mild visual and technological updates. The timing of the refreshed Corolla range would align well with the GR Corolla hot hatch that is also expected to debut later this year.

Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…