Now it's two times Three
December 02, 2008
We've sampled the taster... now here's the main course.
Sale statistics for the current Mazda3 show the five-door is the model that matters most to New Zealanders.
Assuredly, then, the new hatchback will also rate higher on the 'must-see' meter than the sedan revealed at the recent Los Angeles Motor Show and previewed recently on this site.
The hatch is set for debut at the Bologna Motor Show early Thursday morning our time (December 3 over there) but we didn't think you'd want to wait that long, so here's the gen now.
Company-supplied pictures show a strong-looking car. Styling-wise, it's identical to the sedan from the B-pillar forward - heading back from that point, Mazda's designers say they have worked hard to give the hatch its own identity and lines more akin to a two-plus-two coupe.
In addition to extending the lower side feature line, the stylists have used different rear bumper and side treatments to make the hatch look shorter overall.
The interior is said to be spacious and stylish, with a more adventurous dashboard design.
It shares four-cylinder engines with the sedan, comprising carry-over 108kW 2.0-litre and a new 125kW 2.5-litre from the mid-size Mazda6, creating an SP25 to replace the strong-selling SP23.
It employs what is claimed to be the world's first vehicle catalyst constructed with single nanotechnology that allows the manufacturer to cut down on resources such as platinum and palladium.
A five-stage Activematic auto - that means you can handshift it - is offered as an option to the six-speed manual.
The hatchback is meant to offer a 'sportier' drive than the outgoing model with which it still shares design DNA. The enhanced dynamics result not just from suspension tuning and bigger wheels but also as result of it having a much stronger body.
But even the hotshoe SP remains the second-tier sports model in Three-dom. Top dog is again the MPS, which will debut at the 2009 Geneva motor show next March.
The MPS retains the current car's 2.3-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder, but Mazda is said to be working on improving the front-drive chassis.
Unlike key competitors Subaru and Mitsubishi, Mazda does not plan to offer a sedan version of the MPS to campaign directly against the Impreza WRX and Lancer Ralliart four-doors.
There's also a diesel hatch, but that car - sporting a new 2.2-litre turbodiesel - is not for New Zealand until Mazda has sorted an automatic transmission option. Presently, all Mazda's diesel passenger cars come only with manual boxes, and Mazda NZ understandably sees no real potential for these here.
The main range of second-generation Mazda3s hits New Zealand in May, with the MPS following mid-year. Mazda NZ has indicated there will be modest price rises accompanying the new cars.
What this means to you: Here's the version preferred by four out of every five Mazda3 buyers.
Sale statistics for the current Mazda3 show the five-door is the model that matters most to New Zealanders.
Assuredly, then, the new hatchback will also rate higher on the 'must-see' meter than the sedan revealed at the recent Los Angeles Motor Show and previewed recently on this site.
The hatch is set for debut at the Bologna Motor Show early Thursday morning our time (December 3 over there) but we didn't think you'd want to wait that long, so here's the gen now.
Company-supplied pictures show a strong-looking car. Styling-wise, it's identical to the sedan from the B-pillar forward - heading back from that point, Mazda's designers say they have worked hard to give the hatch its own identity and lines more akin to a two-plus-two coupe.
In addition to extending the lower side feature line, the stylists have used different rear bumper and side treatments to make the hatch look shorter overall.
The interior is said to be spacious and stylish, with a more adventurous dashboard design.
It shares four-cylinder engines with the sedan, comprising carry-over 108kW 2.0-litre and a new 125kW 2.5-litre from the mid-size Mazda6, creating an SP25 to replace the strong-selling SP23.
It employs what is claimed to be the world's first vehicle catalyst constructed with single nanotechnology that allows the manufacturer to cut down on resources such as platinum and palladium.
A five-stage Activematic auto - that means you can handshift it - is offered as an option to the six-speed manual.
The hatchback is meant to offer a 'sportier' drive than the outgoing model with which it still shares design DNA. The enhanced dynamics result not just from suspension tuning and bigger wheels but also as result of it having a much stronger body.
But even the hotshoe SP remains the second-tier sports model in Three-dom. Top dog is again the MPS, which will debut at the 2009 Geneva motor show next March.
The MPS retains the current car's 2.3-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder, but Mazda is said to be working on improving the front-drive chassis.
Unlike key competitors Subaru and Mitsubishi, Mazda does not plan to offer a sedan version of the MPS to campaign directly against the Impreza WRX and Lancer Ralliart four-doors.
There's also a diesel hatch, but that car - sporting a new 2.2-litre turbodiesel - is not for New Zealand until Mazda has sorted an automatic transmission option. Presently, all Mazda's diesel passenger cars come only with manual boxes, and Mazda NZ understandably sees no real potential for these here.
The main range of second-generation Mazda3s hits New Zealand in May, with the MPS following mid-year. Mazda NZ has indicated there will be modest price rises accompanying the new cars.
What this means to you: Here's the version preferred by four out of every five Mazda3 buyers.
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