2010 Mazda3 revealed by a toy? Not really, but kind of
Click above for more renderings of the 2010 Mazda3
Sure, it has happened where a toy manufacturer accidentally reveals a new car, but we don't believe this is one of those times. These renderings of the redesigned 2010 Mazda3 were posted in a thread over on carspyshots.net under the auspice of being toy renderings, but our colleagues from Autoblog Spanish did some digging and discovered that Mazda actually owns these images, not some Japanese toy manufacturer. Thus, it's more likely that these are actual renderings of the real, full-scale 2010 Mazda3. Of course, we could all be wrong and these renderings may have been made by a kid in his mother's basement, as the perspective and scale seems off in some areas. Then again, the design they show, which takes a few styling cues from the new Mazda6 and refreshed RX-8, is right in line with what we're expecting. Thanks for the tip, Galvin!
Gallery: 2010 Mazda3 Renderings
[Source: Carspyshots.net]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
LBuzzer 8:33AM (8/11/2008)
If this is in fact the 2010 Mazda3, I am sorely disappointed. It looks too much like a "we didn't want to blow it so we played it safe" makeover that Mazda never does.
Here's hoping...
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PiCASSO 8:18AM (8/11/2008)
Wow... that is certainly nasty. Sadly... I think that the production version will come very close to this.
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Nellydesign 8:25AM (8/11/2008)
Please note that these are Orthographic Perspective views meaning the perspective is dead flat. That causes the parts of the model that are further away to look bigger and distorts the model. Orthographic views are usually used for engineering purposes and shouldn't be taken as indicitive of how the car would look in a real life setting.
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speedfreak 8:40AM (8/11/2008)
I agree with you NellyDesign, It's just a isometric views of 3D modelling data..It's use both for styling and engineering process.
Seems like these 3D data are from Mazda...looks quite accurate. Also the styling clue, it is very Mazda, front bumper styling has same theme with the new JDM Mazda Biante and the side view reminds me to the styling of Mazda Demio.
Well, we can't judge until they unveil the real life one.
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John B 8:46AM (8/11/2008)
Hang on one second, surely that side-on view is a Subaru Imprezzzzzzzzza?!
So much for the renaissance of Mazda design
JB, London
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inteller 9:01AM (8/11/2008)
Someone needs to put that 3 on a diet. It looks like it has been hanging out with its ugly friend the Nissan Versa too much.
Unfortunately, as big fat americans start squeezing into econo cars from their gluttonous SUVs, we are going to start seeing small designs get fatter and taller like this.
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Marco 9:03AM (8/11/2008)
Wow. That back end is so wide. Cant wait to see the sedan toy...err..version lol
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mr.ed 11:09AM (8/11/2008)
I find this to be way too evolutionary for Mazda, unless Ford's taken over their studio with their Detroit-timid decision process. Past studies shown on this site have been closer to what I'd expect, especially with the Mazda2/Fiesta designs.
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Brad 9:15AM (8/11/2008)
Doesn't really look that much different than the current model. I don't care for that small triangular window in the back doors. Kind of ruins the side view of the car.
I'll still save final judgement until I see some better renderings. Hopefully this is not the final design.
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boneheadotto 9:30AM (8/11/2008)
obviously they wont have a noticeable traingular window like that. They will black tape it off and you wont see it. Just like the grill wont be white
I do wonder if it will look ok with the smiling grill. the fog light inlets dont look good to me. They make the car look too tall and it looks a lot like a Saturn Vue RedLine
http://www.autospectator.com/uploads/Saturn/2008/Vue/red/08Sat_VueRed_1st.jpg
Kurt B 10:08AM (8/11/2008)
I just bought a magazine in France that has a picture of the 3 in it. It hasn't been revealed yet?
BTW it looks alot better than the toy.
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Rick 9:53AM (8/11/2008)
That front end looks like a happy beetle on LSD. They really brought in major overhangs and I'm disappointed by the updated look so far.
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Hello 9:42AM (8/11/2008)
What a dissapointment if this is the real deal. Looks like some kind of a fat Renault. There's just something about the overall shape that.. makes me angry.
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Gregg 9:56AM (8/11/2008)
If that is the new Mazda3, unlike the current generation, it will peak early and fade into the woodwork. Mazda cannot afford conservative re-dos if it wants to grow.
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nighttime 9:58AM (8/11/2008)
looks like a front bottom that's been in a blender.
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gino 10:26AM (8/11/2008)
Thanks, I'll keep my Protege 5.
havoc 12:17PM (8/11/2008)
if this is the next 3, then it won't replace any of our cars, i love my ms3, and i really really like the current shape (the mild face lift with the 'floating' fog lights helped).
this looks like nissan versa meets toyo matrix
i don't like this trend of stickey-out tail lights, and i don't like this new headlight styling carried from the new 6 (the rx8 or 'japanese styling')
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Emjay 11:49AM (8/11/2008)
I would doubt very much this is what the next Mazda 3 will look like. Maybe the front end but the rear is pretty much the same as the current. Proportionally I think Mazda wont veer too far away with this new model from the current model though.
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Benfolio 12:49PM (8/11/2008)
Don't worry, folks.
I'm sure this is the JDM version.
We're sure to get a watered down smoothed out less vented version with wider seats for our fat American asses.
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Pips 4:38PM (8/11/2008)
a smoothie of Matrix/Vibe, Impreza and the current 3. Yuk!
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