Filed under: Spy Photos, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Japan, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Mazda
Rendered Speculation: next-gen Mazda3
With the Mazda2 and Mazda6 selling successfully abroad, the Zoom-Zoom crowd is turning its attention to the Mazda3, with this rendering surfacing in good company of the wealth of RX-9 sketches that were popping up everywhere last month. The rendering borrows cues from its little and big brothers to forecast what the upcoming 3 could look like, while ostensibly reasonable predictions place four-cylinder engines underhood ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 liters, as well as the availability of four- and five-door variants like the current and previous models.
The current Mazda3, although facelifted just a couple of years ago, has been on the market for five years now, making it a prime candidate for a total redesign. Reports suggest that the new 3 could bow in Paris this September ahead of a spring 2009 market launch, so we'll keep an eye out for it when we land in the City of Lights.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dude 2:37PM (2/21/2008)
They need a coupe!
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Larico Brown 3:33PM (2/21/2008)
They really do needs a coupe, and convertable.
Austin 4:49PM (2/21/2008)
and a 2 door hatch
Alex 2:52PM (2/21/2008)
I'm still holdong out for the Mazda2 to make it stateside, but this will be option #2. The design looks good, little more shapely than the current gen, but still has the right look.
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BRAVENRACE 3:12PM (2/21/2008)
If that's accurate, I'll stick with the current generation 3.
What this car needs is not a redesign - the styling is nice already. It needs a little more power, improved communication between the engine and the auto trans, better fuel mileage, and a 2 door hatch.
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sitruc 6:54PM (2/21/2008)
I don't know what's what, but I thought the 2009 was supposed to have 2.3/2.5l engines compared to the current 2.0/2.3L.
BowserUSC 1:28AM (2/22/2008)
I agree, the current 3 doesn't need a redesign, especially not this one.
cameron42985 3:15PM (2/21/2008)
I hope this is the first of many vehicles to do away w/ circular fog lights.
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Elliott 3:56PM (2/21/2008)
The Mazda3 that's sold today already has rectangular fog lamps. I believe the change corresponded with the launch of the MazdaSpeed3.
cameron42985 10:06PM (2/22/2008)
Yes, well, the current 3 isn't the first of many, as it turns out.
Zane 3:17PM (2/21/2008)
Mazda, whatever you do, please don't cancel the hatch. It looks waayy better than the sedan.
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Justin Wujcik 3:49PM (2/21/2008)
Exactly... and add AWD as well for a car that will be hard to beat in its class. Also, what about a diesel?
Corey Smith 3:42PM (2/21/2008)
"It needs a little more power, improved communication between the engine and the auto trans, better fuel mileage, and a 2 door hatch."
It sounds like Mazda needs is a little pixie dust!
That being said, the current 3 is a good looking/good value car (especially in the 5 door). This new render looks to continue that trend.
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jsjs 8:17PM (2/21/2008)
Can add improved reliability to the list.
Corey Smith 3:44PM (2/21/2008)
That should have read, "It sounds like ALL Mazda needs..."
That's what I get for trying to be funny.
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SPG 3:52PM (2/21/2008)
Very nice, Mazda has come so far in the past ten years and this will only help that.
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adelossa 4:03PM (2/21/2008)
I can see the grille going that route.
*looks at his car* she's getting old.
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Matt Keller 4:03PM (2/21/2008)
I'm on a roll with these better titles for articles: Retarded Speculation - Japanese Hack-Rag Edition MCLVI - Japanese Magazine finds out how to use photoshop, and creates a Mazda-esque blob!
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Howard Sohn 4:30PM (2/21/2008)
Looks like Suzuki SX4 sedan... but this is just a speculation. Hope it looks better than that!
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vdk 4:54PM (2/21/2008)
it looks chubby... c'mon now... lose the chubbyness
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