"Secret" Testing of next gen Mazda 3 in Iceland Draws crowd - Page 2

Oct 8, 2008 | 12:48 PM

#26

kersh4w

Hit & Run Magnet

iTrader: (3)

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 6,690

Likes: 3

From: DC Area

they finally improved that damn steering wheel. hopefully the '10 rx8s get them too?

i cant believe they want to reduce the weight 25%, that doesnt seem possible. that would make the car in the range of 2300lbs... thats less than the current miata afaik.

Oct 8, 2008 | 01:40 PM

#27

JRichter

Void Where Prohibited

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 3,046

Likes: 0

From: Mineola, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by kersh4w

i cant believe they want to reduce the weight 25%, that doesnt seem possible. that would make the car in the range of 2300lbs... thats less than the current miata afaik.

I'm w/ you. There is no way that car will weigh that. With only the 185hp engine it would have a better power to weight ration than an 8 does. I'm sure the story was referring to just the body structure or something.

Oct 8, 2008 | 01:52 PM

#28

kvndoom

The Slow and the Serious

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 730

Likes: 0

From: Communistwealth of Virginia

Is that Winning Blue I see under all that duct tape? If WB comes back, I will be SO happy!!!

Oct 8, 2008 | 01:59 PM

#29

MattMPS

Wiseguy

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 1,084

Likes: 37

From: Italy

i'm not reading/viewing nothing about a " station wagon version" witch was rumored months ago in some jap magazines...

it will be cool here in Europe....we love "midsize segment wagons" here....

Oct 8, 2008 | 02:25 PM

#30

shaunv74

Power!!

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 4,412

Likes: 3

From: Sunny See attle

For you monkeys that can't search here's the thread on how Mazda is going to cut 400 lbs of their upcoming generation of cars.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-news-11/mazda-cut-weight-next-generation-models-400-pounds-rotary-mentioned-156814/

Oct 8, 2008 | 02:46 PM

#31

JRichter

Void Where Prohibited

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 3,046

Likes: 0

From: Mineola, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunv74

For you monkeys that can't search here's the thread on how Mazda is going to cut 400 lbs of their upcoming generation of cars.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=156814

I caught that before but 25% is like 700lbs and the original article states up to 200kg (400lbs). If the new 3 weighs under 2400lbs and has an engine option of around 200hp It would own anything in its class and then some. Some new details on the 2012 MX-5 have it reducing its weight by 10% which sounds nice (and a coupe version too!):

http://www.motorauthority.com/major-...x-5-miata.html

Quote:

Mazda’s global design chief Lauren Van den Acker has previously mentioned that the next MX-5 will be a major leap in terms of styling and dynamics over the current model, and now its chief developer Takao Kijima has revealed that the new model will be smaller and at least 10% lighter.

Either way I'm so glad Mazda so strongly involved in reducing the weight of all its cars. That's the most practical way to increase efficiency and performance.

Oct 8, 2008 | 03:27 PM

#32

JRichter

Void Where Prohibited

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 3,046

Likes: 0

From: Mineola, TX

Autocar's impressions after driving the new 3 w/ 2.2-litre diesel:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/still...w-mazda-3.aspx

Quote:

However, the real surprise comes from the 2.2-litre diesel. Not only is this motor also exceptionally refined, it also has quite exceptional pace, especially in the compact 3. Very well matched with the ratios in the six-speed ‘box, the 2.2 had standout overtaking ability – always a good indication of real-world performance. Indeed, such is the engine’s mid-range muscle, Mazda engineers admitted that this model has superior performance to the current 3 MPS.

Oct 8, 2008 | 03:59 PM

#33

kvndoom

The Slow and the Serious

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 730

Likes: 0

From: Communistwealth of Virginia

So the new diesel can whip the current Speed3? DAAAAAMN. Too bad we'll probably never see it in the states, since people still can't get crap that happened 20 years ago out of their heads.

Oct 8, 2008 | 04:05 PM

#34

dynamho

Registered

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 1,963

Likes: 7

From: Norwood, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by kersh4w

When they say 25% reduction, is that gross, gross minus engine, or just the monocoque?

Oct 8, 2008 | 04:31 PM

#35

Renesis_8

Registered User

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,047

Likes: 0

From: Toronto, Canada

WOW!! I LOVE the interior!!
________
Paigesplace live

Last edited by Renesis_8; Sep 11, 2011 at 02:51 PM.

Oct 9, 2008 | 12:07 AM

#36

kersh4w

Hit & Run Magnet

iTrader: (3)

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 6,690

Likes: 3

From: DC Area

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynamho

When they say 25% reduction, is that gross, gross minus engine, or just the monocoque?

i think thats a 25% weight reduction on floor mats.

there is a difference between the mazdaspeed3 and the mazda3 mps.

Oct 9, 2008 | 01:05 AM

#37

kvndoom

The Slow and the Serious

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 730

Likes: 0

From: Communistwealth of Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by kersh4w

there is a difference between the mazdaspeed3 and the mazda3 mps.

Engine-wise, there isn't much difference that I can see.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda3#Engines

The 2.0 diesel was already laying down almost 270 lbs/feet, which is insane for a car this size. I drool at the possible numbers for the 2.2L. Suddenly the BMW123d isn't my dream car anymore...