the seemingly tireless Brenda Priddy crew grabbed shots of possible next gen Mazda3. Moving to the newest Euro Focus Platform it gains some size. Also the 2.0 liter gets abump in HP and the 2.3 gets replaced by the 2.5.

courtesy of Edmunds and Brenda Priddy

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...122903?imw=Y#2







looking good i think

 

At first glance, the front end gave me flashbacks of The Silence of the Lambs.

Lookin' good. do we know what the weight increase is expected to be?

 

looks like a jetta


[EDIT] looks like a jetta at first glance... then after it sits in its almost BMW/audi ishhh. Sorta middle in the road and underwhelming. My opinion of course.

 

pretty nice.......2.5 now? interesting

 

I wouldn't base any of the future appearance on these spy shots. They've got old skin on the test mule. The exhaust is the most interesting thing I've noticed.

Paul.

 

wow looks like crap.. but it is a test mule most for something other than Aero obviously. Though as Paul pointed out the Exhaust does look interesting since to my knowledge the 3 only has a single exit exhaust.

 

The dual exhaust is totally lame. They supposedly used all this special engineering to make it lighter and then they toss a pointless dual exhaust on it to add weight? I wish carmakers would knock that crap off, but it looks like it's here to stay.

 

1 word. yuck.

 

That trunk lid looks jacked...the right taillight lenses don't align properly.

 

I don't get why anyone comments on the appearance of a test mule. Of course it'll have lights that don't allign and fit, bumpers that have huge gaps, and tape everywhere.

The dual exhaust is a step backwards.
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Web shows

 

The 3 isn't going to look like this exactly. They just made it look like an older 3 for testing.

 

the back looks the same.

 

Why do people keep saying "OMG it's ugly, omg the alignment is off, omg it looks the same, omg the shizzle doesn't match witht he other shizzle, omg omg".... IT'S A FREAKING TEST MULE!

 

In your opinion it is LAME..

They actually do it to center the weight distribution in the rear end, rather than the rear muffler weight on one side of the car.

I suggest that the lameness comes from manufacturers who do not "balance" their products as efficiently...

 

Words can barely describe how stupid that reasoning is. A dual exhaust to balance weight?

 

We all know each exhaust tip gives you 20whp each.

 

Coming form an expert wine salesman, I did not expect anything else..

The rear muffler is considerable in weight, (particularly rotary), latest Mazda's including RX-8, MX-5, CX-7, CX-9, Mazda 6 and next 3, locate the rear muffler in the exact center of vehicle therefore evenly distributing the weight, with the intermediate and front exhaust pipe/cat as close as possible to the middle/center of the car (north-south).

The extra approx 500 grams for the additional exhaust outlet also maintains even weight distribution geometry along with the mufflers holding hooks and rubber mount positions all evenly welded to outer muffler surface.

The exhausts inlet is also located in the exact center of the rear muffler box.

 

BTW Read the RX-8 Book if you have one stupid...

 

That's about the biggest load of marketing nonsense I've ever seen. It's done in an attempt to make the cars look more upscale, nothing more, nothing less.

 

Since when is adding weight a good thing. Besides all cars are naturally unbalanced, we have the driver on the left side!
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Bong review

 

That's why you buy a Locus Plethora... driver's seat in the center!

 

test mule test mule test mule so course the tail lights are off etc BUT

you can see the bumper hiding under that extra plastic camo that is clearly more similar to the new 6

 

"Marketing"... Again coming from a WINE salesman..!!

It is ENGINEERING/DESIGN.

Have a look at the construction of the sytem before you make an ignorant comment like that.

 

I hope they keep a msp version...+1 on the useless dual exhaust, thats why I got rid of mine

 

looks good.