Spied: All-new Mazda3
September 7, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Earlier today our spies got the first good look at the upcoming 2010 Mazda 3. This all‑new sport compact is expected next year, but won’t hit some markets till 2010.
Our tourist-shooter quickly found out that it’s not easy to shoot prototypes at highway speeds, but his first attempt landed him the most revealing pictures yet of the updated Mazda3.
Although we have a bit of ‘110km/h-blur’, this is the first time that we’ve seen this sedan uncovered and fully exposed.
Riding on Ford’s global C1 platform, the new Mazda3 will measure in a bit longer and wider than the current model. The sportier-looking Mazda3 will also get a small bump in horsepower – as well as a boost in its fuel economy.
A glimpse inside revealed that this 3 sedan is packing a 6-speed transmission, it’s too early to say if it’s the same gearbox currently used in the SP23 and MPS3. Also visible were buttons for heated seats, satellite radio and an MP3 hard drive.
That probably indicates we’re looking at the top of the range SP’XX’ sedan prototype.
Under the hood Mazda is expected to increase the juice, with the current 2.3-litre motor rumoured to be bored out to a 2.5-litre. That should give the new 3 10-20kW more power compared to the current 108kW (115kW for the SP23).
Mazda insiders say the new Mazda3 will make its official debut at the LA Auto Show in November this year.
Print it: 
Great to see an update of the Mazda 3.
But why does it say in the article that the photos have been snapped on the highway and have a 110km/h blur? All the photos don’t look to be moving.
From every angle it looks good. Looks like another winner from mazda.
The cash is waiting in my hot hands for this car.
From what I can see…this is an ‘evolution’ of the current model. Replace the rear lights with Mazda 6 looking ones and update the front….and its a new Mazda 3 – from externally at least.
Has anyone noticed however, that the new Mazda 6 and now the new 3 – have really big looking rears. Looks like they have too much wait at the back, never really liked that look. So I think the older 6 looks better than the current one – in the sedan/hatch verisions anyway.
This should be another winner from Mazda, they really are on a roll!
Oh, and would like to mention that I’m new here – been reading for about a week now and decided to get into having a discussion with all of you guys.
BTW, fantastic website. Least biased and has up to date info every single day. Fantastic – kudos!
my mum just got a hatch of the current model. gotta say, it’s a pritty sweet ride. this one looks like it is same same, but different. which is a good thing IMO.
current model’s feature are aging a bit, ie no auto off lights as standard, MP3 player, or ipod adaptor ( all optionals i think) which are standard on the i30.
dual rear exhaust looks nice as well. the hatch should look hot i recon. 2.5litre…sounds like it will be a great ride
Side looks the same as current model…..? Also it doesn`t have that “wow” factor as the new mazda 6 compared to the old one……..how the hatch looks better than the current
I’ve always been a fan of the Mazda cars.
Talk about creeping bloat, though – this car now needs 2.5l when it started out as a 782 cc aluminum inline 4 engine in 1964 as the Mazda 800 (with a couple of other names in various markets)
This car seems to be reversing the “individualistic” Mazda styling and going more mainstream Ford “bland” especially the front.
Being bigger than the current 3 it will probably sell extremely well here, and I think will pinch sales from Focus/Mondeo which are already very poor ins spite of the cars’ virtues.
Yep,it’s beginning to look bland.I can’t help thinking that certain car companies are designing cars to mainly appease the Nth American market-this car will officially debut in the L.A Motor show in Nov.
Mazda have a 2.3L and yet,they still need to bore it out to 2.5L for the SP range?
tom Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
“my mum just got a hatch of the current model. gotta say, it’s a pritty sweet ride. this one looks like it is same same, but different. which is a good thing IMO.
current model’s feature are aging a bit, ie no auto off lights as standard, MP3 player, or ipod adaptor ( all optionals i think) which are standard on the i30.”
tom, your mum’s must be an A or B spec (2004-2006), C and D spec (2006-current) have mp3 compatible CD player and mp3 player/iPod jack. Auto on/off lights are an option (actually were thrown in for free during the weekend just gone by “M-Day” sale.
Wow a tourist shot this. with a flash? A tourist from hiroshima maybe….
Good looking car, hope the ford bits dont affect the design or compromise the driving.
they will sell as many as they can import…
Nice one mazda
Looks very bland to me, same as the current 3. Very white goods like.
Great catch Caradvice I will add it to Ozmazdaclub.com
Another winner for the inform car maker…
vw freak, ok thanks for that. i wasn’t too clued up on that, yeah it does have the ipod cable now that you mentioned it….not my car, so i don’t want to get too attached to it learning all about it lol….
Danman, hate to burst your bubble but the current mazda3 is already built with “ford bits”-susp.,chassis etc. just tuned differently by each brand.
I’ll be waiting with baited breath for the release model. Looks like it could be a perfect smaller-medium sized sedan.
This is more evolutionary than revolutionary, so it will disappoint those who are looking for radical designs. I think the headlights are meant to extend more towards the bonnet. If you look closely at the 4th and 5th photos, the outlining of the possible headlight shape appears much like the new GTR’s. Knowing that, it appears to look as quite a nice design.
Zandit,
No one burst’s my bubble about car knowledge. Never.
looking good.
shaping up as class winner
Take note SUBARU. (Yeah I’d be shaking at the knees too SUBARU)
looks…pretty much like the old one. Not that thats a bad thing, although the wierd bulge at the front never gelled with me.
Can I go against the popular grain here, and say… it looks very passe (granted it’s covered in tape etc so it’s true looks are a bit hidden).
This, coming from an SP23 owner. I love my ‘05 hatch – funky looking tho a tad under-powered. I was royally disappointed with the look of the 06/07 update; the squarish fog-lights and the change to the sp’s front grill made it look less aggressive. To me, it’s like Mazda’s evolved the 2 and the 6 in positive directions but the 3 looks like going backwards. This one – despite a bigger engine – ain’t floating my boat.
I think I’ll wait for an upper-end alfa mito (should it ever reach Oz) for a new fun hatch.
i seen this in wheels magazine without the car clothes on. it looks sweet as! the only dow fall i could find was the speedo. it just look a bit weird.
but nothing perfect.