Mazda3 officially unveiled

Mazda has officially pulled the sheets off of its 2014 Mazda3. The all-new compact boasts a wheelbase that's a full 2.4 inches longer than the outgoing model, yet the hatchback is a nearly two inches shorter from stem to stern. The machine is also lower and wider than before, which should give occupants plenty of space indoors. The driver gets treated to a new human-machine interface that features a new Active Driving Display for information like vehicle speed and navigation instructions conveniently in the line of sight. Likewise, the vehicle's infotainment system has received a complete rebuild.

Outside, the new Mazda3 makes full use of the company's KODO design language, and to our eyes, the result is one of the most attractive entries in the segment. Jump under the hood, and buyers can expect to find a Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, though no fuel economy estimates are available. For those looking for a bit more thrust, Mazda also offers a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline mill with 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. So far there's no word on the diesel engine available to our friends in Europe.

Both engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic and feature the automaker's i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration systems. The recaptured energy is stored in a capacitor and used to power the vehicle's various electrical systems.

Mazda says the company's newest compact features a chassis that's a full 30-percent stiffer than the 2013 model thanks in part to extensive use of high-strength steel. The material also let Mazda cut around 200 pounds from the vehicle. Expect pricing, availability and fuel economy information to surface later. In the interim, you can read the full press release below for more information. We'll have more photos to share shortly, so stay tuned.

Monkey Bites Rookie Cop Issuing A Speeding

Police officers are trained to be very careful when approaching vehicles they have pulled over, but we're sure at least one rookie cop in Texas will be extra vigilant in the future. Aransas Pass (just east of Corpus Christi) rookie officer Keith Moore was issuing a speeding ticket to a driver of a pickup truck, and when he went to have the driver sign his citation, a monkey lunged from the back seat and bit Moore on his hand.

Even though the whole ordeal was captured on Moore's sunglass-mounted camera, his sergeant still had a hard time believing what had happened, and both seemed to handle the situation quite well – apparently neither have seen the movie Outbreak. As it turns out, Corpus Christi's KRIS TV says that the ill-tempered – and non-seatbelt-wearing – monkey travels with his owner to carnivals and festivals to pose with visitors. The first-person video of the monkey's surprise traffic stop attack is posted below.

Smart Fortwo's off-road chops on display in amusing ad from Cannes

After spending a few days with the recalcitrant mechanism that masquerades as a transmission in the Smart Fortwo, we can admit we've pondered all sorts of ways to prematurely end the car's life. An impromptu hardcore off-road excursion has figured prominently in at least one such scenario. Evidently the marketers behind Smart have entertained similar thoughts, or at least spent some time contemplating the old chestnut that goes something like, "Who makes the best off-roader? Hertz." After all, how else can we explain this 49-second spot?

We kid Daimler's pint-sized microcar brand, but the truth is, this is a pretty brilliant little advertisement. It's honest and plays to the Fortwo's major trump card – its tidy dimensions – while having a good sense of humor. According to Ad Week, this commercial comes from BBDO Germany, and was just shown at Cannes, where it won a couple of Gold Lion awards and had the audience cheering. Check it out by scrolling below.