I came across this mention in John Mellor's Automotive e-news from Australia. I also saw somewhere else that it will come as a sedan and hatch model ...

http://www.mellor.net/mellor/enews.nsf/edition/C3CA37FB23E452D9CA256AED0012593B/$file/2001.10.22_enews108(1).pdf

Mazda 3 *- late 2003

PLATFORM and panel sharing with Ford is starting to lose favour and Mazda is attempting tto keep this one all to itself. It will be a scaled-down RX-8 with some Alfa 147 cues such as hidden rear door handles. Engine choices include 1.8, 2.0 and the new 2.3-litre seen on Mazda 6. A sharper, more clever Premacy and an all-out Mazda 3 MPS will follow.

Hey, if anyone out there has seen any more or has any images to share, I love to learn more!

:D

Look at the date of the publication, Oct 2001, I'm sure Mazda at the time did not know where everything was going. I wouldn't believe to much of the article except maybe the Miata part.

Originally posted by bwayout

Mazda 3 *- late 2003

PLATFORM and panel sharing with Ford is starting to lose favour and Mazda is attempting tto keep this one all to itself. It will be a scaled-down RX-8 with some Alfa 147 cues such as hidden rear door handles. Engine choices include 1.8, 2.0 and the new 2.3-litre seen on Mazda 6. A sharper, more clever Premacy and an all-out Mazda 3 MPS will follow.

The Mazda3 is the Protege replacement. It's FWD and piston engine, so calling it an "scaled down RX-8" would be like calling the Chevy Cavalier a scaled down Corvette.

lol
________
Avandia Lawsuit (http://classactionsettlements.org/)

... And here I was thinking that somehow the Mazda MX3 Hatchback or MX6 Hatchback was going to be revived ...

;)

Originally posted by bwayout
... And here I was thinking that somehow the Mazda MX3 Hatchback or MX6 Hatchback was going to be revived ...

;) Well, the MX3 might just still be, remember it was also FWD ;)

I've heard from several dealers that the Mazda3 design is complete or mostly complete and it supposedly looks great and very different from the Focus that shares it's new platform.

Many dealerships have already been presented with Mazda's plan for the next few years. Along with the 6, RX-8, and the 3, there is also the return of a bigger, more luxurious Millenia (9) with a more powerful Miller Cycle engine.

Wednesday 5th February 2003



New 3 Breaks Free... But It's Really A Focus


It has the looks of a Mazda on the outside, but underneath the new 3 is a Ford Focus. The Japanese firm's engineers have been busy putting the finishing touches to the new hatch. Due on sale in Britain in the autumn, exclusive pictures of the car in the current issue of Auto Express magazine - in both four and five-door guise - show how it will appear in the showrooms.

Even at first glance, the newcomer is instantly recognisable as a Mazda. However, it's not as daring as some enthusiasts had expected, given the striking looks of the RX and the 6 - although it does make more of an impression than the 323 it replaces. The teardrop headlights are shared with the 6, while the five-corner corporate grille also makes an appearance. Note how its shape is re- flected in the styling of the rear window. And it's the back end that features the most interesting part of the design, with the angular C-pillar and high waistline.

Based on the next-generation Focus, hatchback and saloon models will be available. Set to rival the likes of VW's Golf and Bora, bosses have high expectations for both. Power will come from a diverse range of engines, although most of the petrol variants will be carried over from the 323. The diesel is likely to be the pick of the bunch. Entry-level cars will come with a 72bhp 1.3-litre engine, while 98bhp 1.6 and 131bhp 2.0-litre versions will also be available. The oil-burner will come from Ford in the form of the punchy TDCi unit found in the Focus.

The two cars join the rejuvenated Mazda line-up, but there's more to come. The firm is currently developing a replacement for the MX-5 roadster, the last of the previous-generation models remaining in the stable. In line with the firm's 'zoom- zoom' design philosophy, the new 3 has been developed with driver involvement in mind. Insiders say the car will be taken to another level, and with under-pinnings coming from the excellent-handling Focus, that's entirely possible.

A revamped version of the blue oval car - the UK's monthly best-seller for nearly three years straight - is due next year, and it's not a project Ford is taking lightly. The styling will be a development of the current model's looks, but more conservative lines are expected. Unlike Mazda, Ford will offer a three-door, estate and mini-MPV, along with the four and five-door. The same platform will also underpin Volvo's four-wheel-drive V50, indicating there's potential to feed power to all wheels on the Mazda 3. This could be of use in a high-performance MPS version, which would become a flagship model.

Prices for the 3 are expected to remain in line with those of the 323, and Mazda hopes that a higher quality interior and improved driver enjoyment will bring sales up to the levels of its major competitors.

Article from: Auto Express

your post of the article mentions pics. dp you have the pics to share?:)

Goof impression of the Mazda3 sedan

http://members.chello.nl/mel.rozeboom/overig/mazda3a.jpg

http://members.chello.nl/mel.rozeboom/overig/mazda3b.jpg

- New platform: same as the new coming Ford Focus and Volvo S40
- Maybe there will be a 4-seater cabriolet
- Prehaps a Turbo-version with 4WD. But only for Japan, bacause of the family-bondings of Volvo and Ford; intern competition
Engines: 1,4 (80hp), 1,6 (100hp) a 1,6 (110hp) diesel (from PSA: Peugeot and Citroën) and later a 2,0 (140hp) engine
And a good change of direct injected petron-engines: 1,5 (100hp) and a 2,3 (140hp).
- Automatic with buttons on the steeringwheel
-In Japan one with a CVT

to me, it's reminiscent of the cavalier... not ford focus.

Well, it looks nothing at all like a slimed down RX-8 ...

:(

... but very much like a smaller Mazda 6 ... I was hoping for more of a fastback/hatchback taking some cues from the past MX3 or MX6

Hey thanks for all of the leads!

:D

Well.......those are just impressions. Maybe the real one looks better

BTW: I see a lot of RX-8 things at the rear and the uhm.....how do you call it..? You know, what is 'around' the wheel

Originally posted by MattFast
Well.......those are just impressions. Maybe the real one looks better

BTW: I see a lot of RX-8 things at the rear and the uhm.....how do you call it..? You know, what is 'around' the wheel

Over here, I believe we call those "fender flairs" around the body edge ...

Originally posted by MattFast

- New platform: same as the new coming Ford Focus and Volvo S40
- Maybe there will be a 4-seater cabriolet
- Prehaps a Turbo-version with 4WD. But only for Japan, bacause of the family-bondings of Volvo and Ford; intern competition
Engines: 1,4 (80hp), 1,6 (100hp) a 1,6 (110hp) diesel (from PSA: Peugeot and Citroën) and later a 2,0 (140hp) engine
And a good change of direct injected petron-engines: 1,5 (100hp) and a 2,3 (140hp).
- Automatic with buttons on the steeringwheel
-In Japan one with a CVT

Your earlier post got me thinking ...

Although, the current model of the Ford Focus, is by all reports, wonderfully designed, spacious for its size an agile, fun-to-drive like a true sports car BUT unfortunately, subpar reliability (at least it is here in the States)!

:(

On the other hand, Mazda's curent Protegé models may not handle almost as well as a Porsche Boxster (like I've read the Focus SVT has been written about), but it's handling is fairly nimble and secure PLUS the Mazda's Protegés reliability has been very good - even above adverage!

:)

I hope that the new Mazda3 with regards to its dependablity does NOT follow the Ford Focus path!