Undisguised images of the all-new Mazda3 hatch have made their way to the Net. The car will make a world debut at the Bologna Motor Show next month. I would expect a U.S. debut to occur with one of the upcoming shows.
Speaking of the Mazda3, this car will be offered with a $500 in-dash NAVI option. This is great news, as other carmakers will surely be forced to drop their prices on this cash-cow option.
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Bologna Auto Show: 2010 Mazda 3 Hatchback Revealed
7driver says:
09:17 AM, 11/25/08
What's got me curious is the nose. European pedestrian bumper safety laws are supposed to make the front end of cars tall and bulbous. In pictures, the new Mazda3 looks lower and sharper. Unless they used the hood-pop gizmo to get around the law, that's a pretty neat trick.
moparbad says:
11:15 AM, 11/25/08
I'll reserve judgement until I see it in person.
Disappointed that U.S. will not receive the most fuel efficient engine.
Carmakers are being critcized for not offering fuel efficient vehicles in the U.S. by politicians and they need to realize that emissions and safety regulations that they created are the reason.
U.S. emissions and safety regulations are different from Europe and different from Japan.
In a global economy there is no excuse for the bureaucracy of mismatched and overly complex regulations.
dougtheeng says:
01:17 PM, 11/25/08
The hatch looks much more complete then the sedan. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.
steve_ says:
03:04 PM, 11/25/08
Better mpg would be a plus for sure. The rear window is pretty sharply raked and may take away a bit of cargo handling flexibility. And the smile up front; going to have to see that in person.
But yeah, it looks nice.
ateixeira says:
09:16 AM, 11/26/08
Very nice.