All-new Mazda3 five-door hatch unveiled

By George Skentzos | November 25th, 2008

The Mazda3 five-door hatch has made an unexpected official debut today ahead of its first public appearance at the Bologna Motor Show on December 3.

On the heels of the freshly unveiled sedan version, the new Mazda3 hatch adopts the same characteristics as its sibling with a far more sporty and dynamic design.

Efficiency was a major factor in the research and development process, with Mazda including more economical powertrains, weight saving solutions and ‘best in class’ aerodynamics.

Petrol variants offer even further advanced environmental performance, including the world’s first vehicle catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology – as opposed to other scarce materials such as platinum and palladium.

The European engine line-up will include the new 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine which recently launched in the new Mazda6, in addition to the existing 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the popular 1.6-litre turbo diesel.

This 2.2-litre diesel will be offered in both standard and high power guise, developing 110kW and 136kW respectively whilst each complying with Euro 5 emissions levels.

Mazda still has one more ace up its sleeve with the highly anticipated launch of the MPS variant of the next-generation Mazda3.

arlester

What is with the rear bumper on these new 3′s. it sticks out so far from the rest of the car. other than that it looks alright
diglet

Current model looks better. this one looks like it has 2 faces glued to eachother back to back
lalala

its not just the new model. the current model also has the oversized bumper too. just look at the sp23.
lalala

the rear just reminds me of the old mazda 2 i saw today.
SamR

The new 3 is a nice looking car no doubt even with a dubious looking back bumper.

It is also the ugly duckling of the Mazda passenger range, the Mazda 6 and Mazda 2 are best in class in styling in my opinion. The new 3 is nothing special, bit of a let down really for me.
Foggy

It looks like Mazda have hired someone from the Peugeot design team.

No mention of what gearboxes are available, so I suspect it’ll be the same as what’s currently on offer.
Alex

I like that, though I wouldn’t buy one. I like it more than the sedan but I’d rather a Focus or a Golf.
ZoomZoom

So hot!
Can’t wait 4 the MPS version
WVB

Is it me or are more cars getting architecture inspiration from Disney/Pixar?
HAL

yeah, i tend to agree with the comments about the massive rear end – what is with that? maybe it’ll look better in the flesh. hopefully it will look better again with the MPS spoiler kit. was looking forward to the new 3 range, but I think I am gonna go with the new 6, luxury sports with the 136kW/400Nm diesel engine – hopefully they put it in the Luxury Sport anyway!
o

me liky but will it work in the conservative small car market?
Daniel W

it is very VERY cartoonish.
I dont love it, but i dont hate it.
It almost looks as if it is trying to hard.
like the front better than the rear though.
Adam (aka Mada)

How about we wait until we can see this car in the flesh?
Then make a solid judgement.

Transmissions should be 6 speed manuals for both 2.0l and 2.5l while 5 speed auto’s for both engine variants also.
No DI 2.0l variant will be offered in Oz.

I think Mazda has done a good job considering the constraints of the updated platform and dimensions, remember they won’t sell as many due to the global economy slowing down hence a tighter budget.

I think it still looks miles better than the primary competition, corolla, astra, lancer, civic, focus etc…
Jimbo

^Foggy^ says “It looks like Mazda have hired someone from the Peugeot design team”

It does have an air of 308 to the design to it. So I therefore assume you mean that as a complement. The 308s design may not be to everyone’s taste. This is mostly because it is fresh, unconformist and heaven forbid interesting!
I think the new 3 looks 100% better, unlike the old Mazda 3 that had distinctly white goods look about it!
Howie-VL

I think it looks decent. Can definately see similar styling to the 2-series. But looking at the last pic from the front you can see if a bit of styling coming from the Rx8 in my opinion. Should be a good seller either way.
George

Beautiful car, i love those rear light and i guess i am the only one who loves the big rear end.
I think its fresh and yet again shows how mazda is so far ahead of the market.
I am in the market for a hot hatch however this will not have 4wd unfortunately much to my dismay. I will have to wait for the Golf GTI-R
http://skyline The Salesman

You have to applaud the Mazda engineers and design teams. This car looks like it should be an expensive European, cruising the streets of Rome, or parked out the front of coffee shops in Paris, acting all snobby. I am so glad Mazda found their MoJo again, after going off the rails with bland and uninspiring 323′s and 121′s they defiantly have their Groove back.
don

looks ok, not too sure about the side door panel “BMW 1 series” style crease line, also the rear lip of the bumper looks rather long, but still the car looks good

the sp25 should look really nice, and the MPS even better. the standard range looks pritty sporty from the pics, although i’m assuming this is the top of the range “standard” 3, and not the SP model
http://www.littlepixiegifts.com.au Gift-Ed

The rear window is very much like the current Astra. I suspect it’s one of those cars that will look better in the flesh.
milobob

my only gripe with the 3s… is the NVH and the lack of space at the back. Space at the back remains the same unfortunately but he reports on NVH are
Foggy

Quote: “Jimbo”
It does have an air of 308 to the design to it. So I therefore assume you mean that as a complement. The 308s design may not be to everyone’s taste. This is mostly because it is fresh, unconformist and heaven forbid interesting!
I think the new 3 looks 100% better, unlike the old Mazda 3 that had distinctly white goods look about it!

I couldn’t agree more Jimbo, I did mean it as a complement.

As a card-carrying Citroën lover (and owner), it’s good to see some of the other more conservative brands try to emulate a little bit of the French flair… but then again, I’m one of the minority who loves the look of the current Renault Megané, so what would I know! ;-D
Jimbo

^Foggy^
LOL sorry mate, I am just use to people bagging Peugeot’s designs that’s all. There seems to be a lot of people on CarAdvice who don’t appreciated the French flair, and that’s ok. It does however tick me off that they just seem to harp on and on about is ignoring the cars merits like the drivability and overall awesomeness of the French ride.

I am a card carrying lover of the Pug. I could not be more happy with my 207 its a brilliant little car, I cannot Fault it. So therefore I suppose my love of the Pug would also make my taste questionable. A Meganés, backside on the other hand……I will pass thanks.
The 3′s new back looks pretty good, I’ll admit it is a little odd but its still ok.
http://Mini Ben Larden

A little bit too girly. The rear bumber is a throw back to the first gen 3′s. In the C and D series, it’s no where near like that.

Jap designers have lost the plot
Falcodore

I think the rear of the hatch looks better than the sedan, which is opposite of what i think of the current model.
Anyway IMO Mazda have the best designs of any mainstream car company in the world today, much better than Toyota, Mitsu, Honda and co.
http://navelcontemplation.blogspot.com Supercujo

The rear bumper protusion could be due to the requirement in the US that the rear bumper be able to withstand a 5 mph impact without damage to the safety subsystems.

An older example of this is the difference between Euro model Volvo 240s and US spec ones. The rear bumper on the US spec 240 was huge.

Maybe Mazda has decided to use a common bumper across all markets to save some money?
Simon T

Mazda did this with the first gen of the 3′s.. Two years later the back bumpers all got a nip/tuck job
o

We will probably get a smaller bumper than the US market but it looks good.I really like as I like the the 308.It is great that a Japanese company is actually making desirable cars with a design them unlike the fridge company Toyota.The grill looks great especially when the car is a bright color.I would love to see than smiley face made angry and aggressive though.it is a 100% improvement On he current 3 as i never really liked it.My only concern is that it is not conservative enough for our small car market where the fridge rules.
ABC

One (as far as i can see) design element of Hyundai’s i30 has been copied, badly. I think if Mazda is really proud of the smiling face front, they would have shown a photo of it. The absence of such an angle in the first batch of photos suggests Mazda is unsure.
sexythang

sedan looks better. i also think the lancer sportsback looks better as well. though it should coz its more expensive.

for me the new 3 is dissapointing. civic looks better.
Adam (aka Mada)

ABC…

What??
Jimbo

^ABC^

I’m with Adam (aka Mada) in saying WHAT??
aubz

I think the front end looks pretty nice! Can’t wait to see this in the flesh.

Also, “first vehicle catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology – as opposed to other scarce materials such as platinum and palladium.”

This paragraph needs to be corrected, doesn’t read right. They still use platinum and palladium, just a lot less thanks to the single nanotechnology process.
ABC

Adam, Jimbo, I’m saying Mazda *seems* unsure whether the public really likes the new front.
Tom

I kind of like the Bubba from Forrest Gump bumper.

I think the new 3 MPS will be a scorcher – I’ll be ready to put an order in. Good to see the Japanese taking it to Europe in the hot hatch stakes.
JML

I don’t know why all you blokes are umm-ing and ahh-ing about the design. You’re not supposed to like it. The new 3 is designed even further towards pleasing 90% of Mazda 3 buyers, who are 18-35 y.o girls/women.
http://ozmazdaclub.com Ozmazdaclub ZB

Nice work Mazda the new 3 hatch looks great and still has the edge of sportiness over the sedan…