World debut for All-New Mazda3 5-door Hatchback at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of the all-new Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan) 5-door hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show* on December 3, 2008. The second generation Mazda3 5-door hatchback follows on the heels of the 4-door sedan version, currently on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new Mazda3 5-door hatchback adopts the same characteristics as its sedan counterpart, offering sporty driving and a dynamic design, together with top class environmental and safety performance.

Environmental-friendly qualities were top of mind during development, including efficient powertrains, Mazda typical lightweight engineering and amongst the best in class aerodynamics.

All gasoline engine versions of the new Mazda3 will offer even further advanced environmental performance, including the world’s first vehicle catalyst to be constructed with single nanotechnology. This new development enables Mazda to reduce its use of scarce resources such as platinum and palladium.

The new engine lineup has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, just launched in the Mazda6, in addition to the existing 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre gasoline engines and the 1.6-litre turbo diesel. The new 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine is a high-performance clean diesel powerplant with top class output, fuel economy and refinement. It will be offered in two variants, a high power version with a maximum output of 185 PS, and a standard power version with a maximum output of 150 PS. Both have outstanding clean emissions performance and comply with the Euro Stage5 regulations. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also greatly improved compared to the current 2.0-litre version.

The all-new Mazda3 5-door hatchback will be revealed during Mazda’s press conference at 9:00 on December 3, 2008 (local time).

 

Here are 4 pics

 

Top of the morning! I was reading this bright and early as well.

 

This is starting to grow on me quite a bit...=O...I'm liking!!

 

Wow, I like the back a whole lot. Bonus points for the front not looking as "I'M SO F***ING HAPPY!!!" Though I worry that it may just be the angle of the photo.

 

Kuroi no mazda 3 onigashimasu

 

Reminds me too much of the new Matrix, especially the hindquarters. A step backwards from the current 3, in my opinion.

 

I need a change of underwear.

 

Great find - been waiting on pics of this. Looks good but need to see it from farther away to get a good perspective. I wonder how long we'll have to wait for the MS3.

 

hmm.. 2.2 Diesel in this little guy? they haVE GOT TO GET THAT ENGINE IN THE STATES



....stupid caps button...

 

Actually the emphasis is needed. It's killing me that Mazda won't take a chance first. I guarantee you they won't import a diesel until either Toyota or Honda jumps the gun.

 

Love the interior! I spy variable-setting seat heaters...

 

I agree. Unfortunately, Toyota has precisely zero plans to bring any diesel vehicles to market in the US ( they recently cancelled the Tundra diesel) and Honda might delay or cancel plans to put their 2.2L diesel in the Acura TSX next year as they originally planned.

I think Subaru are the only "mainstream" Japanese make who have vaguely confirmed diesels across mutliple models for 2010.

Oh, and I just remembered, a diesel Maxima is due in 2010 too.

If gas prices stay low and car sales stay low, there will be little to reason for Mazda to bring the diesel Stateside, though it would be very cool.

 

Looks great! Can't wait to see the MS version. I really like that huge front grill, it's bold and sets it apart from the competition.

 

Looks ok to me, not a radical change, and I like that the back end has remained about the same. However I think they have to be carefull of taking the front fender flairs a bit too far on some of these cars. The 8 it looks great on, but this one is pushing it. And the CX7 is really front ugly in my opinion.

I really enjoy mine for a little econo car, even with the auto tranny.

 

Looks like it doesnt stray too far from the sedan that was shown in Los Angeles. Kudos Mazda

 

I think the Cruze will be a good competitor to the 3, however the 3 has two body styles and good fan base.

 

I don't understand why car manufacturers think that we don't want the same cars the Europeans have when in fact we would all LOVE to get our hands on them.

I think it's the fault of the retarded research companies over here asking all the wrong questions. Someone's thought process is totally different sitting in a 20x20 room with 10 strangers than it is standing in a showroom floor or sitting at a traffic light watching all the bad *** cars they really want go by.

Look how long it took for Subaru and Mitsu to introduce the WRX and EVO to us because they thought we didn't want them. Maybe if Ford would have gotten their heads out of their asses 10 years ago and gave us the Escort Cosworth they would have had all those 4wd turbo car sales, and wouldn't be in such a shitty position right now. Now it's Mazdas turn to get their heads out of their asses....

 

I like it, perhaps i'm the few that thinks the new front is better than the old one. The old one looks dated already, its time for something new. Perhaps that big smile will be liked by younger crowds, and thats the 3's market.
________
Park Royal 1 Condos Pattaya

 

i think the back looks almost the same as the current one... I do understand that there are only so many ways to make a hatchback/small wagon, however...

 

this is the 4 door, but the front is the same as usual. what are they thinking with this huge smiley mouth?




i think everything else looks great

 

this is soooooo ugly, it looks jus like the hatch WRX. And the regular sedan looks like the mazda 5...ewwwwwwwwwwww. Hope they don't F the next RX car up too

 

I need help. There's some video game with animations that are a dead ringer for the Mazda 3, but i just can't put my finger on it. Not Pac-man, but something close to it.

Also, I think a front license plate would help a lot.

 

Asinine...as in I give her face a 2 and her *** a 9. Seriously though, the more I look at the front of the new 3, the more I hate it.

I really dig that interior, though, it's darn nice for an eco-box.

 

I spy an individual tail pipe on the hatch. Not the case with the sedan I don't think.

Paul.