Autoblog

Euro/Asian Mazda3 oil hose recall pending?

Steven J. Ewing — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:34:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, China, Europe, Japan, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Mazda

2010 Mazda3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mazda is reportedly looking to issue a recall of the popular Mazda3 compact in its European and Asian markets. According to Automotive News, the carmaker has filed a report with the Japanese transport ministry stating that driving on rough roads for an extended period of time can cause the car's oil hose to rub against the radiator's protective panel. This can cause oil to leak if the hose is worn down. Worst case scenario, Mazda says, is that the car will simply be unable to start.

This recall will only affect 89,822 Axela models (the Mazda3's name in Asian markets) in Japan and China, and an additional 191,503 units sold throughout Europe. The United States is off the hook this time, though, since the recall only covers vehicles fitted with an engine that's unavailable in the U.S. Mazda is currently deciding how to repair this problem in all markets and plans to issue the official recall in the near future.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mazda3

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Euro/Asian Mazda3 oil hose recall pending? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: 2010 Mazda3 hatch just as happy as the sedan

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback, Mazda

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda3 five-door hatchback from Detroit

Mazda took the wraps off the five-door hatchback version of the redesigned Mazda3 at the Bologna Motor Show last month, but here in Detroit, we saw the car for ourselves at its North American debut. As you can see in the gallery of high-res pics below, the Mazda3 five-door gets the same swoopy sheetmetal as the sedan we saw in Los Angeles, including the comic smiley face front end. What's new is the lengthened roofline that drops down at a steeper angle to create a wagon-esque profile. Some of the D-pillar design cues remind us of the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, but it also resembles the old Mazda3 hatch more than the new sedan. While we prefer the five-door to its four-door counterpart, we know customers want both, so this makes sense for Mazda.

Mazda3i models are still fitted with the MZR 2.0L engine, putting out 148 hp at 6500 rpm and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm and controlled by either a manual or automatic five-speed. The Mazda3 MZR is packing the newly up-sized 2.5-liter four, providing 167 hp at 6000 rpm and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm, with a choice of either a five-speed auto or a six-speed manual. And naturally, we're looking forward to the next Mazdaspeed model, preferably in hatch form. Check out the official press release after the jump for more details and the gallery below for plenty of high-res pics.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Mazda3 five-door

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Detroit 2009: 2010 Mazda3 hatch just as happy as the sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots (Sort of): Mazda3 five-door hatchback

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Mazda

Click above for more "official spy shots" of the 2010 Mazda3 5-door

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?

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 Mazda3 5-door

[Source: Mazda Via Carscoop]

Spy Shots (Sort of): Mazda3 five-door hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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