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]
Ford Ranger Max concept debuts at Thailand Motor Show (w/VIDEO)
2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March
Mazda3 hatch unveiled, will debut next week
Enter the Rumormill: Harley-Davidson quietly launches XR1200 in US?
BREAKING: More Porsche Panamera pics surface
Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS
Orange you glad Jason Calacanis let us drive his Tesla Roadster?
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dude @ Feb 21st 2008 2:37PM
They need a coupe!
Larico Brown @ Feb 21st 2008 3:33PM
They really do needs a coupe, and convertable.
Austin @ Feb 21st 2008 4:49PM
and a 2 door hatch
Alex @ Feb 21st 2008 2:52PM
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.
BRAVENRACE @ Feb 21st 2008 3:12PM
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.
sitruc @ Feb 21st 2008 6:54PM
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 @ Feb 22nd 2008 1:28AM
I agree, the current 3 doesn't need a redesign, especially not this one.
cameron42985 @ Feb 21st 2008 3:15PM
I hope this is the first of many vehicles to do away w/ circular fog lights.
Elliott @ Feb 21st 2008 3:56PM
The Mazda3 that's sold today already has rectangular fog lamps. I believe the change corresponded with the launch of the MazdaSpeed3.
cameron42985 @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:06PM
Yes, well, the current 3 isn't the first of many, as it turns out.
Zane @ Feb 21st 2008 3:17PM
Mazda, whatever you do, please don't cancel the hatch. It looks waayy better than the sedan.
Justin Wujcik @ Feb 21st 2008 3:49PM
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 @ Feb 21st 2008 3:42PM
"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.
jsjs @ Feb 21st 2008 8:17PM
Can add improved reliability to the list.
Corey Smith @ Feb 21st 2008 3:44PM
That should have read, "It sounds like ALL Mazda needs..."
That's what I get for trying to be funny.
SPG @ Feb 21st 2008 3:52PM
Very nice, Mazda has come so far in the past ten years and this will only help that.
adelossa @ Feb 21st 2008 4:03PM
I can see the grille going that route.
*looks at his car* she's getting old.
Matt Keller @ Feb 21st 2008 4:03PM
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!
Howard Sohn @ Feb 21st 2008 4:30PM
Looks like Suzuki SX4 sedan... but this is just a speculation. Hope it looks better than that!
vdk @ Feb 21st 2008 4:54PM
it looks chubby... c'mon now... lose the chubbyness