Filed under: Concept Cars, Mazda
2009 Mazda3 design to influence Mazda's entire lineup
Click the image above for more high-res shots of the Ryuga concept.
It's no surprise that Mazda's looking to radically revamp its entire product portfolio in the coming years, and the cohesive style set by the Nagare line of concepts will bring Mazda's design chief, Laurens van den Acker's vision to the road in the next few years.
The first model to benefit from this new design direction will be the 2009 Mazda3, which will sport a trio of new elements that we've seen in concept form over the last year. The five-point gaping grin that's been showcased on everything from the Kabura to the Taiki will find its way onto all of Mazda's products, along with flowing creases embedded into the side panels. Like many automakers, longer wheelbases and shorter front and rear overhangs, with the wheels pushed to the outer edges of the body, will be adopted, and the Dutch designer is intent on making all of Mazda's products appear more sporting, with a low-slung style that mimics the shape of rear-drivers.
What lays beneath that new sheet metal should be just as intriguing as the styling, and if the aforementioned Kabura and Taiki are any indication, Mazda's continuing goal to be a driver-focused brand is evolving from the inside out.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Doogs 9:13AM (12/10/2007)
I'm interested to see what comes of this. IMO, the current 3 (especially the 5-door) is one of the best looking compacts on the road.
I just hope Mazda doesn't go all Subaru on us and kill a good thing.
The grille sounds good. As do the shorter overhangs. Not so sure what I think of the flowing creases. To be honest, they remind me of a blue whale or something.
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pe_tor 10:17AM (12/10/2007)
I just hope the grille proportions stay on the reasonable side, rather than the giant-Peugot-esque-gaping-basking-shark-mouths that have shown up on some of the concepts. Bringing in shapes from the Kabura concept, however, would be great, as it seemed that concept was fairly universally well received.
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zoom_x2 12:04PM (12/10/2007)
"I just hope Mazda doesn't go all Subaru on us and kill a good thing."
Agreed. Mazda is definitely going in the right direction design wise and I can't wait.
I'm tired of seeing reserved, slabsided, econocar prototypes that look production ready. Bravo to Mazda for being imaginative. An original design (that looks good) - what a novel idea!
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od 12:57PM (12/10/2007)
I just hope a Speed3 is available for 2009. The Speed3 is already my ideal car with its current performance and styling. But if it gets AWD with the Speed6 out of the way PLUS this new styling, I can see some serious dealer markup in my future. :(
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Doogs 1:42PM (12/10/2007)
Fat chance. When's the last time a 'speed version was available in the first (or even second) year of a Mazda vehicle's run?
od 4:58PM (12/10/2007)
@Doogs, you're probably right, but I hope you're not. The time is right for Mazda to break from the past and keep the Speed3 in the line-up full time. Word is starting to get around (Consumer Reports, etc.), and although I personally like its scarcity, I think the car has a lot of mainstream potential.
EL_RIEL 1:57PM (12/10/2007)
wow...
im really waiting to know more about the new Mazda3.
And I hope the continue with the release date of 2009.
I would like to update my Mazda3 when the new is ready =D
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od 5:06PM (12/10/2007)
"To be honest, they remind me of a blue whale or something."
I dunno, I kinda like it. I'll take one in Cosmic Blue and get a vanity plate that makes reference to Mister Splashy Pants. ;-)
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/splashy-101207
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Trevor 5:14PM (12/10/2007)
What about the Mazda6? Us it also getting that treatment? Becuase, the new 6 is supposed to debut before the new 3.
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EMC 5:32PM (12/10/2007)
Mazda FTW ;P
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Trideep Gogoi 6:08PM (12/11/2007)
What I really like is the fact that these concepts from mazda truly look futuristic. I really can picture my self driving some variation of the Mazda 3 with styling hints form these cars. The Problem is that despite being almost 4 years old the current mazda 3 looks very very good. It still keeps up with the new styling nuances of the new Beemers and Lexuses. Its one of the few cars that i think has the very real danger of looking actually better than any future generation.
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Erasmus B. Lovely 7:18AM (1/24/2008)
Is there some reason that Mazda cannot do this car in a coupe? Mazda3 coupe? I want a two door. I have to buy a Civic instead, just because I want a two door. Well, truth be told, I like the bi-level information display in the Civic, too.
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