Mazda3 hatch unveiled, will debut next week

[Chuck Jones]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/m...but-next-week/



Mazda3 hatch unveiled, will debut next week

Posted Nov 25th 2008 4:00AM by Alex Nunez
Filed under: Hatchbacks, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2010 Mazda3 hatchback

The Mazda3 hatchback will be unveiled next week at the Bologna Motor Show, and Mazda has released a quartet of photos to help get everyone excited. The Euro backdrop means that the 5-door's engine lineup will include a 2.2L turbodiesel that's guaranteed to keep the EU carbon nannies placated. Up front, it wears the same moderately unnerving perma-smile as its sedan brother. Look for more info next week, and feel free to start mentally transforming it into the next Mazdaspeed3. We have.

Gallery: 2010 Mazda3 Hatchback


[Source: Mazda]
PRESS RELEASE:
World Debut for All-New Mazda3 Five-Door Hatchback at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show

HIROSHIMA, Japan: Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of the new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show on December 3, 2008.

The second generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback follows on the heels of the four-door sedan revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback adopts the same characteristics as its sedan counterpart, offering sporty driving and a dynamic design, together with top class environmental and safety performance.

Environmental-friendly qualities were top of mind during development, including efficient powertrains, Mazda typical lightweight engineering and amongst the best-in-class aerodynamics.

All petrol engine versions of the new-generation Mazda3 will offer even further advanced environmental performance, including the world's first vehicle catalyst to be constructed with single nanotechnology. This new development enables Mazda to reduce its use of scarce resources such as platinum and palladium.

The new engine lineup has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, just launched in the Mazda6. The new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is a high-performance clean diesel powerplant with top class output, fuel economy and refinement.

This new-generation diesel engine has outstanding emissions performance and complies with Euro Stage5 regulations. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also greatly improved compared to the current 2.0-litre version.

The all-new Mazda3 five-door hatchback will be revealed during Mazda's press conference at 09:00am on December 3, 2008 (local time).

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[Chuck Jones]

[Chuck Jones]

The rear seems like a mashup of the current 3 and the new Matrix. I still have my fingers crossed for the diesel variant coming stateside at some point.

[Spenk]

Rear bumper/clip just looks wrong -- all the other lines make the skin look shrink-wrapped over the hard bits. That rear clip hangs way out there and isn't integrated into the lower hatch area like on the current model.

Fantastic interior, aside from the navi hump.

[SCRAPPYDO]

needs a smaller GPS screen.... its way to large..

[darknightohio]

I still don't understand Mazda's new design language...the huge smile is just ugly.

Mazda stick with good design...like the Atenza:

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

needs a smaller GPS screen.... its way to large..

Ha ha ha. So tiny...

[Mariano]

Can't wait for the Speed version...

[design1stcode2nd]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

needs a smaller GPS screen.... its way to large..

I think its a good idea, they are trying to compete with hand-helds so this nav is about the same size and only $500 instead of $1,200-$2,000 that they normally are. Also this is an entry level car.

[fireball_jones]

I like the 3/4 rear view of it, but I was never a fan of the visibility in the 3s, and it doesn't look like it will be much better in the new ones.

[skunkfifty]

Looks like a WRX ripoff. lame.

[merlot]

Looks like a Mazda



oh wait....

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by design1stcode2nd

I think its a good idea, they are trying to compete with hand-helds so this nav is about the same size and only $500 instead of $1,200-$2,000 that they normally are. Also this is an entry level car.

well, I can see your point. I certainly would not complain at that price point. IN fact, I would be much more likely to check that box, given 500 is much easier to swallow than 2000.

Still a very nice car. I love my 2008.5 MS3, and truthfully, the only thing that will get me out of it is the new legacy.

[Damon]

Originally Posted by MSD

Looks like a Mazda



oh wait....

i see what you did there.

[Godmal]

Originally Posted by skunkfifty

Looks like a WRX ripoff. lame.

right...

I actually like this car, can't wait to see the Mazdaspeed3.

[Lboogie]

Originally Posted by skunkfifty

Looks like a WRX ripoff. lame.

Just so we all know; was the Mazda3 or the WRX in hatchback form first?

[Ghosthound]

hmm... i thought it looks good.

[Chuck Jones]

I never really understood that awkward extended rear bumper on the 3. Does anyone know the reason they made the bumper stick out that much? Just crash safety?

[turb04]

I bet the speed version will be sick!

[kyo126]

next gen ms3 are with 300hp right?

[reynolca]

Originally Posted by Godmal

The Mazda 3 was out at least 2 years before the WRX that now looks like a mazda.

Try more like 4 years. The 2004 Mazda3 was available for sale in Oct/Nov of 2003. The 2008 Impreza was launched around the same time of year but in 2007.

[IWantASuby]

Looks good to me, although I'd have to see the front end in person to form a final styling conclusion; so far I like the old front end better. But I bet it will look more suitable on the MS3.

[TheBigBadYeti]

anybody ever see the movie Christine? The one about the possessed car? Anyway, when it was chasing down the fat kid and cut him in half.... that is the face it should have been making...

[SQ3.0dotJP]

me rikey

[Balantz]

*eagerly awaits Speed3 iteration*