First View of New Mazda3!

[OakvilleMazdaDP]

I'm sitting here in Denver getting ready to head back to Canada after a couple of full days at the National Dealers Meeting! We were shown several of the new vehicles that Mazda is going to launch in the next few years. The highlight for me was a sneak peek at the next generation Mazda 3.

The spy shots don't do the car justice. It's a fantastic design and I think all of you would be as excited as I am about the direction the car is headed.

Mazda is understandably very tight lipped about the new M3 and although I know it's not fair, I can't describe the vehicle to you in detail. It takes the current design and moves it to a whole new level. The best thing I can suggest to you is if you want to think about what the new M3 is going to be like, check out the next gen 2009 Mazda6. That will give you an idea of the direction Mazda is heading.

Until Mazda releases more information on the new Mazda 3, the new Mazda 6 is confirmation that the company is going to be the best Japanese car company in the world. Specifically, check out the dual tail pipe exhaust on the GT model, the performance of the M6, some of the technology features such as bluetooth for MP3 players, etc.

I'll be back in TO tomorrow and am very excited to meet with our staff to recap the exciting future that Mazda is forging!

Here's the brand new link to the 2009 Mazda 6:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...upcomingMAZDA6

[Skarbro]

Sounds exciting but...

[Walrus]

[Niteshade]

The pics of the new 2009 M6 look amazing!!!

[Cardinal Fang]

I'd settle for a blurry cell phone picture taken from behind the back at waste height at this point.

*Shakes fist at OakvilleMazdaDP*

[iconicrocket]

The wait is just going to be brutal. lol.

I'm sure Mazda has the design philosophy for the Mazda3 down tight. Just hope it doesn't turn out like the Subaru Impreza. lol. The Mazda6's front facial reminds me of the Acura TSX and a Lexus from the 3/4 view.

[OakvilleMazdaDP]

Sorry guys but I thought that some info was better than none....

[ZeroChalk]

I'm guesssing GT will have +200hp... perhaps 215?

[Cardinal Fang]

Sorry guys but I thought that some info was better than none....

We appreciate the update. It's just being a board dominated by guys we are visual creatures and can relate better in that way. Kinda like why Playboy has no articles in their magazine.

[Pearly]

I'm guesssing GT will have +200hp... perhaps 215?

Probably not..there probably going with teh same inline 4 2.5 engine as the mazda 6. My guess is there going to put it up to about 170 or 180

[3GFX]

Let me ask you this then....

Does it draw on looks like the Euro/JDM 6 or the USDM 6?

[OakvilleMazdaDP]

We appreciate the update. It's just being a board dominated by guys we are visual creatures and can relate better in that way. Kinda like why Playboy has no articles in their magazine.

lol.

No discussion of performance info yet...and as far as the similarities with other vehicles out there, the 3 is definitely much cooler!

Gotta head to the airport...

[Swerny]

I'm guesssing GT will have +200hp... perhaps 215?

the 2.5 apparently has 180 HP according to another thread here.

I don't see them jumping for 160 HP in the current GT to 215.

[ZeroChalk]

180hp... pffff... that's not much with dual exhaust? that's lame.

[Pearly]

Well the dual exhaust isn't a true duel. Its just 1 pipe from the flex pipe all the way to the back and split into 2 mufflers, thats all

[cwp_sedan]

180hp... pffff... that's not much with dual exhaust? that's lame.

Dual exhaust means nothing. It would only be one pipe than splits to either 2 mufflers or 1 muffer and 2 tips. No HP gains here at all. More looks and possible sound.

[zedtech]

Thanks for the info so far, can't wait to see pics!

The 2009 Mazda6 actually looks better than I imagined from the test mule. Funny how an angle can make a difference.

180hp... pffff... that's not much with dual exhaust? that's lame.

Not surprised really, many FWD cars that have dual exhausts aren't true duals and are there for aesthetic purposes. All it is is a short pipe branched off from the main system usually after the muffler. Now if you ran a dual straight from the headers/manifolds, then I'd expect a performance gain

Edit: Damnit, I type too slow :P What Pearly and cwp_sedan said

[ShortBus]

when did mazda buy bmw?

[Fobio]

I cringe everytime I read "M3" for Mazda3...

I love the BMW M3, and I love the Mazda3...kinda make wish for the days of when our cars were called 323...

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Title changed... newb

As for more info, I know that our dealer principal is there as well. I will get more info when he gets back.

[x_o_k_x]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=122903

[hoodlum]

So no hatch or wagon for the 6.

We've only seen mules of the 3 sedan so far.

The 2.5 engine from the Mazda6 in Europe puts out 170hp/166lb/ft. There was no change in the HP/Torque ratings for the new 2.0 engine either. Although both get better mileage (5% less for the 2.5 and 10% less for the 2.0). I suspect little will change for NA.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02...launched-in-e/

It looks like they increased the compression ration to 10.8 on the 2.5. I am surprised they couldn't get more power out of it.

I also noticed that the new 2.5L now requires Premium fuel. I wonder if this is the new trend now.

[zedtech]

Fifth Gear Mitsu Lancer vs. '09 EU Mazda6 review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMOvJdwJc5s

When I first watched the episode, it kinda looked like the Mazda6 was smaller than the Lancer.

[bhrm]

Sorry guys but I thought that some info was better than none....

without pics its just a tease.

[SonicBoy]

By chance, was there any mention of when we would begin to see the new 3? Late this year, Spring of 09 or later?

Previous postings have it pegged as a 2010 model. Would they release it in 2009?