2009 Mazda3 four-door to be unveiled in LA
This November's Los Angeles Auto Show is shaping up to be Mecca for enthusiasts. The 2010 Ford Mustang is due to be revealed in the City of Angels, Volkswagen will supposedly unveil a mid-engine roadster to rival the Elise and it's been all but officially confirmed by Nissan that the 370Z is on its way – two of them, no less.
So with all that rear-wheel-drive hotness on display, the redesigned Mazda3 sedan might have to struggle for attention. Then again, it might not. As suspected, spied and rendered, the next Mazda3 will be taking cues from the recently released Mazda6, including flared wheel arches, swept back headlamps and a gaping air dam. The illustration above (courtesy of AutoCar) is yet another derivation of a reoccurring theme we've seen before, and with the same C1 Ford Focus chassis, the 2010 Mazda3 will have the looks to back up its performance.
As for engines, European consumers will get a choice of gasoline powerplants ranging from 1.4- to 2.0-liters, along with 1.6- and 2.2-liter oilburners. In the U.S., we can expect engines ranging from 2.0- to 2.5-liters, while the Mazdaspeed version is expected to be packing the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder from the Focus ST. The five-door will debut at the Bologna Motor Show in December, and sales are expected to begin in Europe and North America early next year.
Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 Mazda3
[Sources: Autocar, AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aetius 6:32PM (7/31/2008)
CANNOT wait. I've had my Mazda3 Sport GT for 28 months now and it's still love at first sight everytime I hop into driver's seat.
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Majarvis 8:17PM (7/31/2008)
I love it! That just may be my next car after graduation.
AntBee 6:36PM (7/31/2008)
Oh Lord no! The front is too busy, and that wide-ass grin is killin' me!
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almost Dr. G.. 6:43PM (7/31/2008)
luckily thats just a rendering..
this is def has a high potential to be my next car purchase.. the wagon though..
Dave 11:38AM (8/01/2008)
It looks like this:
>:D
AntBee 6:38PM (7/31/2008)
Are the comments messed up or something? My first one didn't even show up!
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AntBee 6:39PM (7/31/2008)
There it is! Sorry for the triple post.
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Actaeon 6:44PM (7/31/2008)
This rendering makes it looks like it is taking a few styling cues from the RX-8 as opposed to the Mazda6.
Still pretty neat. I can't wait for the real thing. I'm looking for a nice daily driver.
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Mi key 6:44PM (7/31/2008)
That's one meaning Illustration. Can't wait for L.A. Show.
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David 6:47PM (7/31/2008)
I thought it was being redesigned! Sorry, but I can hardly tell. Looks like the same lardass to me.
Jrejre 6:55PM (7/31/2008)
I wish they'd make a mazdaspeed3 coupe. That or the kabura.
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mk 8:39PM (7/31/2008)
Oooooh, YEAH.
Kabura. 3+1 seating, rear wheel drive, miata based, with a 2.5 I4 DISI Turbo, with a proper FMIC...
That would be very compelling.
much moreso than a front-driver coupe.
The 3 rendering, though isn't bad. Not as bad as the bloated 6 that the US gets, opposed to the rest of the world.
Kumail 9:17PM (7/31/2008)
i think it would be awesome if they had a sedan (for everyday people), a hatch (for everyday people that carry more stuff), and a coupe (for people like us :D)
Xcountryflyer 6:58PM (7/31/2008)
As long as they bring the 3 and 5 doors here like expected. Toyota realized that there is demand for the 5DR Yaris and are finally bringing it over. Subcompact 4DRs always look cartoonish. Hopefully this one will not.
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Jrejre 7:13PM (7/31/2008)
I think you're thinking of the mazda 2. Mazda 3 is just a small car, not a subcompact.
Xcountryflyer 7:30PM (7/31/2008)
Duh, you're right! Brain fade. A 3DR Mazda3 would be cool too though.
Seoultrain 7:08PM (7/31/2008)
Where did this rumor about the next Mazdaspeed3 sharing an engine with the Focus ST come from?
Why would Mazda ditch the DISI turbo, which is a great little engine (and will be put in the Mazdaspeed MX-5), and go with the less powerful 5-cylinder? The aftermarket for the DISI engine spent years getting established and is now pretty legitimate. Doesn't seem like a smart (or likely) move...
If Mazda's gonna take a Ford engine, get that Ecoboost V6 and put that in the Mazdaspeed6. 350hp in that sedan will make it the poor (smart?) man's S4.
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JD 1:56AM (8/01/2008)
I have no idea why they would ditch the 2.3 turbo. It's a screaming engine, I love it. Just got a new mazdaspeed 3 a couple of weeks ago, and damn, it is a rocket. I figured they would put this into the MS Miata, but do you have any rumors or sources for that? That will be absolutely insane, and I may need to pick one up if they do indeed put the 263 hp motor in the MX5.
Seoultrain 2:30AM (8/01/2008)
I think they're going with the 2.0L in DISI form for the MSMiata. There was an article here on autoblog a while ago, and rumors have said the same. No official word yet, but there's a strong indication it'll be here late 2009 or so.
Congrats on the MS3, and your avatar is all kinds of awesome.
James 7:09PM (7/31/2008)
PLEASE offer the Mazdaspeed version in AWD. PLEASE!!!!!!
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