Wearing what looks like a coat of Native American war paint, here is a cladding-free, running prototype of the next-generation Mazda 3, a car that has garnered nearly as much praise as the mighty little BMW that goes by the same name.
The redesign is thorough, if not radical. Like the all-new Mazda 6, the new 3 is expected to grow a bit in key dimensions, something we’d have verified if the darn car had slowed down enough for our helpful spy to whip out his tape measure. The front end is very different, with detailed, Mazda 6–like ellipsoid headlamps and a low-mounted grille. The bodysides, window line, and rear end are similar to the current car, save the more organically shaped taillamps and new dual exhaust tips.
We imagine we’re looking at the equivalent of today’s top-of-the-line “s” trim, as this car has upscale details like turn signals on the mirror caps, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, and LED taillamps. We expect the new car to be more aerodynamic than before and to perhaps shed some weight, and hope that translates into better fuel efficiency. We also expect a choice of two four-cylinder engines, details of which could be released as soon as this fall’s L.A. auto show.
What we don’t see here is any shred of influence from Mazda’s recent batch of frivolous, trees-and-dew-inspired concept cars that we’d hoped might bear fruit, so to speak, in the form of unique forms and game-changing styling details. Sigh.
What probably won’t change, however, are the 3’s excellent driving characteristics. After all, Mazda did a great job preserving the stellar dynamics of the new 6, and we don’t expect anything less from the new 3.
Production of the new hatchback, at least preproduction models, should be underway by the end of the year for launch early in 2009.
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