2014/Next-generation Mazda 3 mega-thread

[Cab0oze]

SAWEEEEET they finally listened.

Define 'they' lol... if you mean autoguide's artist.... yes!!!

[Rob23]

the front is just strange looking to me. i think its the tiny little headlights.

[krimsalt]

Now that's a sick looking car

[Nooby31]

Love it!!!! But I really think and want a veloster to be my future car...

[Scottobot]

Love it!!!! But I really think and want a veloster to be my future car...

I test drove a Veloster Turbo. Nice little car but I found the shifter spongy and although I knew the performance would be a step down from the MS3, it was a much bigger step down than I expected.

[Rob23]

Love it!!!! But I really think and want a veloster to be my future car...

someone i know had that car for 3 months, he absolutly HATED it! traded it in after owning it for only 3 - 4 months and took a big loss.

[hisakix]

The non-trubo veloster has very little power, and handles average, just like your current gen civics. The Veloster turbo has much more power, handles better, but is significantly more expensive. A fully loaded one can cost you almost as much as a speed3 or a Civic Si. Performance wise and speed and Si blow it completely out of the water. Don't get me wrong, I think the veloster is a good car, it's just not for ppl looking for a "drivers" car.

[Scottobot]

...the veloster is a good car, it's just not for ppl looking for a "drivers" car.

I agree with this. Lots of nice trinkets, gadgets, and it's well thought-out.. but lacking in driving excitement.

Anyway this thread is about the hypothetical 2014 MZ3, right??

[113GT]

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...formation-news

this looks insane!

[Kat]

2012 isn't over yet and already they're bringing out a 2014.....

[JHX 1138]

Made in Mexico?

No thanks.

I'm quite happy to have my J**** VINned 2012 Mazda3 GT sedan

[113GT]

i guess you don't know how companies work?

you release a product and start the whole process again for the next gen right after! it takes years of development to release a product...especially a car lol

[Booter22]

besides. the 2013 cx5 came out in 2012. im sure the 2014 cx5 ( like jeff has said) will be coming in feb of 2013. so why not have a 2014 mazda 3? it might not be here in early 2013 but im sure it will be here around the end of it. still a wicked looking car. and i liked this "A diesel also is under consideration for the next 3, as Mazda is planning to offer one in the CX-5. It should go without saying that Mazda, the company that offers a manual transmission even in its minivan, will have a three-pedal option in the 3. "

a diesel in a 3 would be awesome! i like the 6 but if the 3 comes with it i would prefer to stay in a 3. all in all. made in mexico.. meh if you can buy it cheaper why not, i had a focus that was made in mexico. didnt have any huge problems that warranty didnt fix, needed a tranny ( locked up in reverse) not really a mexico build fault but still good to know there trying to bring cost down and make a bit more on a sale side of it as well.

[Scottobot]

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...formation-news

this looks insane!

"The Cheshire-cat grin from the front fascia of the current car finally will be exorcised."



"The next 3 will be built at a new factory in Mexico.."



"..the current Mazdaspeed 3 is a torque-steering monster and an unimpressive seller."

[113GT]

hahahahahahaha

id rather it built in japan but honestly, it depends on the manufacturer and i'm sure mazda won't want to ruin their winning formula so I am sure they thought this over many many MANY times.

[Mr Wilson]

'What It Is: The next generation of the compact Mazda 3. Shown here in hatchback form, the future 3 will be styled to resemble the new Mazda 6 and face-lifted CX-9, with aggressive headlights and a prominent black grille. The Cheshire-cat grin from the front fascia of the current car finally will be exorcised. Featuring Mazda’s latest Kodo design language, the sculpted sheetmetal will help with aerodynamics and sex appeal, but don’t expect anything too over the top: This is Mazda’s bread-and-butter model, and the company can’t risk polarizing buyers. We’re a little nervous that the new 3’s cabin may be less scintillating than its wrapper, as the CX-5’s—the most-recent new Mazda model we’ve evaluated—is somewhat bland albeit well-constructed. We have no anxiety, however, in confirming that the next 3 will join the new 6 in shedding hundreds of pounds of weight.

Why It Matters: It’s Mazda’s bestselling model, and will be launched at a time when automakers are depending on compact cars as fuel-efficiency billboards for their entire lineups. The 3 is Mazda’s highest-volume connection to the company’s halo model, the MX-5 Miata, and has been the go-to car for enthusiasts shopping in the compact segment.

Did we mention that Mazda’s future profitability in the U.S. also depends on the success of the next 3? The entire Mazda lineup is now imported from Japan, a country with a currency strong enough to kill profit margins on many U.S. sales. The next 3 will be built at a new factory in Mexico, allowing Mazda to turn a bigger profit on each sale and, if necessary, subsidize its other, Japan-sourced models.

Platform: The 3 will share the CX-5’s new lightweight architecture. Mazda is committed to retaining the current car’s fun-to-drive character.

Powertrains: Familiar and unfamiliar engines will grace the 3’s bay. The new 155-hp, 2.0-liter Skyactiv four, recently introduced as an end-of-line upgrade to the current 3, will carry over. It’s a flexible engine, and the lighter next-gen 3 could improve on the current car’s 40-mpg EPA highway rating. A diesel also is under consideration for the next 3, as Mazda is planning to offer one in the CX-5. It should go without saying that Mazda, the company that offers a manual transmission even in its minivan, will have a three-pedal option in the 3.

A Mazdaspeed 3 may return. On the upside, hot hatches equal marketplace buzz. On the downside, the current Mazdaspeed 3 is a torque-steering monster and an unimpressive seller.

Competition: Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta, and every other compact car.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Late 2013 or early 2014. Competitive pressures mean pricing won’t increase much—if at all—from the 2013 3, which starts at $17,495 for a sedan and $20,795 for a five-door.'

[Hyperion]

No thanks.

[greyseason]

I like it

[Thrizzl3]

I like it

the OP is the car you see on the 401.

[Kiyomi]

lol, i think the smile front end will be missed

[coriolis]

I'm more interested in seeing why Mazda has a covered GTR in their Irvine R&D centre.



They used a 3 series for benchmarking the Mazda6, and an Elise for the Miata.




http://www.motorworldhype.com/2012-0...spyshots-andy/

[kilo4321]

I actually think its pretty ugly... Meh

[kilo4321]

I'm more interested in seeing why Mazda has a covered GTR in their Irvine R&D centre.



They used a 3 series for benchmarking the Mazda6, and an Elise for the Miata.




http://www.motorworldhype.com/2012-0...spyshots-andy/

The GTR under the cover actually gets me a little excited after reading that link!

[RTEnthusiast]

This speculation looks a lot better than the current overly-happy-looking 3. Hopefully they get their build quality up too...

[Akiba48]

I'm more interested in seeing why Mazda has a covered GTR in their Irvine R&D centre.

Twin-turbo AWD Rotary RX-9?