The hotly-awaited Mazda3 is only now filtering into U.S. dealerships after hitting other markets, but there's already a snag – more than 25,000 units are being recalled.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the safety concern stems from a small tolerance issue: the clearance between the underside of the engine and the starter motor housing is apparently too narrow, which could result in a short circuit, leaving the car at risk of stalling and perhaps being unable to kick over again. As a result, NHTSA has issued a recall for the 25,400 new Mazda3s in the United States to have a simple clip installed and, if necessary, to have the problematic engine harness repaired.

Full details are available in the press release after the jump.


[Source: NHTSA - Office of Defects Investigation]

Automakers have to walk a thin line when updating a sales success or perennial favorite. It's even worse when the outgoing model embodies both traits. The "evolution not revolution" line gets tossed around the engineering and design centers with the hope the two teams can build off the current model's strengths while simultaneously delivering the upgraded content consumers expect. The 2010 Mazda3 proves it can be done.

With nearly one-third of all Mazdas sold with a 3 appended to the rear, the 2010 model had to continue to meet and exceed expectations in its class, something that's difficult to do when battling it out for compact supremacy among Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics. Thankfully, the features that made the original Mazda3 the leader in its segment – an expressive exterior, well-appointed interior and surprisingly engaging driving dynamics – not only carry over for 2010, but have been improved across the board. After a day of driving, the new 3 wasn't the only one wearing a grin. And oh, what a grin it is.

Mazda has put a price tag on the 2010 Mazda3, and for $15,045, you can roll away in an entry-level sedan equipped with a manual transmission. For those keeping track, that's a scant $355 more than the outgoing model, and it's a small price to pay for the additional features inside.

The Mazda3 i Touring sedan, equipped with the 2.0-liter four-pot and an automatic gearbox will set you back $18,350, and comes equipped with Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Bluetooth integration. If you option up for the Mazda3 s Sport sedan with the 2.5-liter four and autobox, the price rises to $19,540, with the five-door version coming in at $20,030. Both models receive 17-inch wheels and a dash-mounted 4.1-inch multi-information screen that displays everything from MP3 tracks to trip data and maintenance alerts. The "s" models are also available with the Technology package, which includes keyless entry, push-button start, sat-nav, Sirius radio (with six months of service included) and a perimeter alarm, all of which can be yours for $1,195. A Moonroof/CD changer/BOSE Audio package is available at $1,395 and you can get all the details on each package in the press release below the fold.

It takes a lot of time and effort to redesign any vehicle, but the problem is magnified when the model in question is an automaker's best-seller. So it's not surprising that Mazda would have a number of unused concepts left over from the team tasked with updating the popular Mazda3 compact. What's more intriguing, however, is just how good some of these unused sketches are. For instance, while we like the overall design of the new '3, take a look at this alternate front face – meaner and more aggressive than the propitious look of the final car.

Not only is a critical eye necessary to be a designer, it also requires a desire to get your hands dirty at times. Full-size clay models need to be shaped and refined in wind tunnels before getting final approval, and the new car needs to at least share a passing resemblance to its predecessor. See the whole process through which Mazda designers trudged in our gallery below.


[Source: Carscoop]

The styling of the new Mazda3 is generally pretty good, with one notable and extremely controversial element: that happy-go-lucky smiling face. Still, we've yet to get an official uncovered glimpse of the upcoming 5-door hatch, so there may still be some surprises up Mazda's sleeve. Today we discovered the odd batch of "official spy shots" straight from the horse's mouth, Mazda that is. They show the upcoming hatchback as it sheepishly plays peek-a-boo with its sedan sibling through some beautiful European scenery. From what we can tell, that blissfully chipper visage is alive and well on the 5-door. The rest of the details, unfortunately, are still pretty obscured by all that effective black vinyl clothing.

When it finally is debuted at the 2008 Bologna Motorshow in Italy next month, the hatch's engine options should basically mirror those of the sedan's, which means the U.S. will initially get both a 148-horsepower 2.0L and a larger 167-horse 2.5L version of the MZR four cylinder engine. Could a Mazdaspeed3 be far behind?


[Source: Mazda Via Carscoop]

Mazda has let loose a few more details on its 2010 Mazda3 just two days ahead of its official unveiling at the LA Auto Show. As before, there will be a base 2.0-liter engine that comes standard along with an optional larger unit, now enlarged to 2.5 liters. The displacement bump comes with a power increase, naturally, up to 167 galloping ponies from 156. Both engines sit under a newly-domed hood and gulp air from a smiling front grille that seems to be the new car's most controversial styling feature. As before, both a four-door hatch/wagon and a sedan will be offered, though we're only scheduled to see the trunked model this week in LA with the five-door set to debut shortly thereafter. Here's hoping that the zoomy Mazdaspeed3 sees additional improvements beyond the new digs, as well. Check out the official press release from Mazda that arrived today for all the details we know so far.


[Source: Mazda]

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Mazdaspeed3 spy shots

With the new 2010 Mazda3 on its way, the next logical question for any gearhead worth his driving shoes is when we'll set our eyes on the next Mazdaspeed version. Well, we have our answer already if the latest batch of spy shots are to be believed.

The current Mazdaspeed3, also known as the Mazda3 MPS in Europe and the Mazdaspeed Axela in the Japanese domestic market, is a veritable barn-stormer and Mazda's performance engineers will be eager to follow up with an even hotter version of the new model. This prototype, bearing all the hallmarks of the new 3 coupled with all manner of performance bolt-ons, was spotted lapping the vaunted Nürburgring Nordschleife wearing a bit of camo and a lot of speed. The shots reveal the presence of a big ol' hood scoop, oversized alloys, a full aero kit and dual exhaust. Of course, the next question is what engine will be crammed under that gaping bonnet vent, with some suggesting a revamped version of the current model's direct-inject 2.3-liter turbo four and others the Volvo-derived 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo slated to crank out 300 hp in the new Euro-only Ford Focus RS. Tantalizing options, both, but we'll just have to wait and see what the Zoom-Zoom crew have in store for us.

[Source: KGP Photography]

Judging from exterior shots of the 2010 Mazda3 that were released last week, Mazda is looking to be more than a bit player in the small car market. The styling of the new Mazda3 looks more expensive than the current model, and is perhaps a better example of the brand's new design language than the also recently redesigned Mazda6. We've been looking forward to seeing pics of the Mazda3 on the inside, and judging from this one spy shot we've seen so far, the Zoom Zoom designers didn't go cheap on the interior.

The first thing that draws attention in the Mazda3 cabin is the Civic-esque two-tier dashboard. We're not huge fans of this style, but Mazda designers did a nice job of integrating the top deck with the lower level and center stack. Judging from the sole pic, some buttons on the center stack look to be a bit small, but main knobs for HVAC and volume are nice and big. The interior in this example is two-toned with what looks to be an aluminum-finished applique above the glove box, and more contrasting colors on the seats and doors. One thing that didn't change from the current generation Mazda3 is the red back-lighting on all the gauges, buttons, and knobs that we've come to expect from Mazda.


[Source: TTAC]

Mazda has already given us a sneak-peak at its long-awaited 2010 Mazda3, and while we like what we've seen so far, we want more. We know that team Zoom Zoom is adding a new 2.5L engine to replace the outgoing 2.3L engine, and that the full Monte will be shown at the LA Auto Show next month, but anything more would be great. We came across a short video clip of the Mazda3 in action, but it's 12 seconds long and shows the same three photos we've already seen with moving wheel animations. Needless to say, it's a little disappointing. Now is as good of a time as any to look at the high-resolution pics we do have in the gallery below, and if you need help imagining what Mazda's top-selling sedan looks like in motion, hit the jump.


[Source: eGMCarTech]

Mazda has confirmed the time and place for the unveiling of its all-new 2010 Mazda3: November 19th at the LA Auto Show. In anticipation of the car's public debut, the Japanese automaker released these three images of the remodeled 3 sedan that reveal the car's new design. While the new 3 retains a similar shape as the current model with a high beltline and rear decklid, the new car sports a much more expressive face with a "smile" grille positioned low up front that's flanked by vertical air intake/fog light combos. The front fenders, likewise, are more distinct from the elevated hood and roll nicely back into the car's forward canted character line. Out back are bigger taillights embedded in what appears to be a larger trunk above dual exhaust tips. The overall shape is a logical evolution of the current car that combines current Mazda design elements already found on the RX-8, Mazda6 and recently refreshed MX-5. Mazda also tells us that the 3 sedan will carry over its 2.0L four-cylinder, but be joined by a larger 2.5L engine to replace the current car's 2.3L. As for the Mazda3 five-door hatchback, we'll have to wait until some time after the LA Auto Show for that, though we're hoping the new Mazdaspeed3 is not far behind.


[Source: Mazda]