New Mazda3 to drive 9,300 miles from Hiroshima, Japan, to Frankfurt, Germany

The new Mazda3 (pictured) is trekking from Hiroshima to Frankfurt If you’re going to set a challenge for a new car, a drive from Hiroshima to Frankfurt – 9,300 miles – is probably one designed to show any flaws. And that’s exactly what Mazda are doing with the new Mazda3. The ‘Mazda Route3 – Hiroshima to Frankfurt Challenger Tour 2013′ will see eight new Mazda3s setting off from the Mazda factory in Hiroshima, heading for Russia, through Belarus and Poland before ending up in Frankfurt, Germany.

Beating the motoring bullies

A NEW INITIATIVE has been launched to help women protect themselves from aggressive drivers and potential dangers if their car breaks down. The Women in Gear scheme includes an evening workshop course to teach basic maintenance and useful get-you-home tips. These are aimed at helping women sort out minor problems with their car rather than having to wait at the roadside for help.

Porsche preps a Panamera wagon concept for Paris motor show

Porsche will preview plans for a Panamera-based wagon concept in September at the Paris motor show. It is set to provide telling clues for the direction of a production version that could arrive in several years. This would lend an additional element for increasing Porsche's sales as part of parent company Volkswagen's ambitious growth strategy.