New York: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is shiny, happy
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2010 Mazdaspeed3
Yes, we saw it in Geneva in MPS guise, but if you wander over to the New York Auto Show over the next week or so, you'll get to eyeball the U.S.-spec 2010 Mazdaspeed3 in person. By now, you should know what to expect:: 263 turbocharged hot-hatch horses mated to a six-speed manual. Inside, you'll find a nicely-organized cockpit dressed up with exterior-matching color accents on the seat fabric and carbon fauxber dash trim. This is all wrapped in brand-new sheetmetal that puts Mazda's new perma-smile corporate face front and center. If you like happy-looking pocket rockets, this is a match made in heaven. If Mazda's new happy face makes you feel sad, however, know that the used-car market will give you a shoulder to cry on. Live shots of the new Mazdaspeed3 are in the gallery below.
Gallery: New York: 2010 Mazdaspeed3
Photos Copyright ©2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Avinash machado 9:36AM (4/11/2009)
There is a saying "Smile and the world smiles with you". I think in this case the saying is not true.
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Mazda FTW! 9:38AM (4/11/2009)
All the people in Canada buying the new 3 (and making it the best selling compact in the country so far this year) would disagree with you.
It actually looks very good on the road. Would I trade my '06 3 for it? Maybe not. But the general public loves cartoony/exaggerated designs these days.
Maestro Mario 10:16AM (4/11/2009)
With such silly looking front end, I don't think Mazda will be able to maintain those strong sales in Canada.
Canadians, specially in Quebec, like fully equipped low end good looking cars. This explains the success of the former 3 which managed to beat the Civic over there.
Sea Urchin 12:04PM (4/11/2009)
People, people.....start thinking outside the nines, now how many in here called the new Subaru Impreza ugly? Many did. How many still are offended by Honda Civic............4 years later, how many call the new Acura ugly?
Bottom line is that all those cars are gorgeous, but they are a little outside of the mainstream sedan, and that is what causes panic.
RAdZer0 1:20PM (4/11/2009)
So is this still a car the dealer will tell you that if you Churp the tires thru gears the clutch will die before u finish the paperwork to purchase it?
Its what kept me from buying the other one and they had so many of them they were doing $3000 off sticker and still told me that.
Richard 1:56PM (4/11/2009)
It's not that it's so ugly. More that it is goofy!
As a Subaru FB, I can say I prefer ugly over goofy!
Mazda FTW! 4:18PM (4/11/2009)
Richard: Really? Well I guess now you have make the switch from "ugly" to "bland" (ref: 2010 Legacy/Outback)
Jake B 4:36PM (4/11/2009)
I think that regardless of what the car looks like it will still sell great. The 3 offers a lot for it's price. As far as the clutch in the car, I have dumped the clutch many times in my girl's speed3, still on the original clutch. Besides if something like that fails then you just get a better clutch, big deal.
Aprime 4:47PM (4/11/2009)
It's the new car I see the most on local roads. I spent less than an hour on the local roads today and saw 4, one of them a hatch.
I live in Gatineau, QC.
b 7:43PM (4/11/2009)
i like the smile.
its that friendly evil mischievous grin.
tankd0g 11:40PM (4/11/2009)
The Sport does not look as bad as this, but it's no accident that virtually every shot on the Mazda Canada web site has the car facing AWAY from the camera.
PJ 4:43AM (4/12/2009)
I saw a '10 3 sedan on the road for the first time yesterday, and if anything, it looks worse in the metal. It's a rolling face. Ridiculous, and this from a committed 3 lover.
I'm taking comfort in the fact that the single offending styling element is the plastic fascia, easily redesigned in a single model year and grafted onto the otherwise-attractive body.
Mark 9:40AM (4/11/2009)
Spec'd in black might reduce the hideousness of that "Joker" smile. What were they thinking.
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Sektor 4:22PM (4/11/2009)
What are you guys talking about? I just love the smile. Mazda FTW
fixitfixitstop 9:45AM (4/11/2009)
On the bright side, maybe Wings West or Erubini will come out with some ugly body kit for this which would actually be an improvement over stock.
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Tourian 11:26AM (4/11/2009)
Or maybe not, I think both of those companies are out of or going out of business.
banzairx7 9:51AM (4/11/2009)
Mazdas styling team seems to be on a downward spiral. IMO this is much worse looking than the out going model. I also think the new,well few years old now, Miata is hideously styled also.
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Conundrum 10:13AM (4/11/2009)
Still a great car but Mazda needs a very quick refresh to fix that big lippy smile.
Nellydesign 12:28PM (4/11/2009)
Actually, the semi-smiley update to the MX-5 is a big improvement. The headlights are much more aggressive and give the front end some pointiness it was missing before. The smile shaped grill is toned WAY down compared with the 3.
Kumail 9:52AM (4/11/2009)
I saw the new Mazda 3 in black and not only did it look good, it hid the smiley face.
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