2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv: Video Walkaround

I don't care for the rectangular accent lights (do they do anything?) inboard of the headlamp in the front light housings. In my eyes, they don't fit in well with the rest of the car, which has no rectangular themes. I prefer the treatment that the 2.5L Grand Touring models get, which at least fit in with the design of the car. Models without the bi-xenon headlights get high beam reflectors in the spot.

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/mazda/mazda3/2012/evox/2012_mazda_mazda3_4dr-hatchback_s-grand-touring_hl_evox_1_423.jpg

On another note, when I was looking for this photo, I noticed that the description for the 2013 Mazda3 includes the SkyActiv diesel with numbers (167 hp, 310 lb/ft, 43 mpg). How confident are those predictions?

The looks of it are growing on me more and more.

I also wonder about the 2013 diesel. Will it sound like a truck? Is an extra 4mpg worth the extra cost of diesel? I suppose I could do the math...

If the diesel is only 4 mpg better, I think there would be no advantage. Diesel costs more than gas, and in some areas WAY more than gas.

@rl5 - Larger wheels would add unsprung weight and increase wind resistance. This could make Mazda miss the 40 mpg mark.

Interesting "windmill" wheels... I think you've stumbled onto a secret WindActiv project! The design of each wheel adds 2 hp each, for a total of 8 extra hp! ;)

Wow... I generally like how the new MAZDA3 looks, but that is no good. It's missing foglights and rims... And the rims could be ultra-light, so they could be bigger. I bought forged 18" TSWs that were far lighter than the factory 17" rims. Any car I look at now I anticipate getting rims for, the Hyundai Accent in white would look fantastic with black rims...

I guess we'll have to wait and see about the diesel, if it comes. Where as the SkyActiv gasoline engines have very high compression ratio (outside the U.S.), the SkyActiv diesels have very low compression ratios and relatively high redlines. I think I've read that they'll be lighter than conventional diesels and possibly cheaper to build. Same horsepower as the 2.5L with almost double the torque, and better mileage than the SkyActiv 2.0... it could be interesting.

Those rims are the best imitation of WalMart style plastic wheel covers I have ever seen. Fail. Rest of the car is just another Mazda 3 definitely in need of a restyling and updating to stay current.

"ctpaul says:

04:30 AM, 02/ 7/12

Those rims are the best imitation of WalMart style plastic wheel covers I have ever seen. Fail. Rest of the car is just another Mazda 3 definitely in need of a restyling and updating to stay current."

This.

Sounds like a really good car with a super powertrain, but it does have the angry-anime-character Mazda thing, with the addition (subtraction?) of the trying-for-cheap-look wheels.

I really like this car and if I were buying one today I would want the SkyActiv model in that same blue color as yours. However, I seriously can't stand that the tailights stick out so far to the sides of the car when viewed from the rear 3/4 angle. The rest of it is just about perfect.