The all new Mazda3 has been developed to take the outstanding ownership experience its predecessor helped define to new levels of enjoyment, while fully embodying Mazda's 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom' strategy. The third vehicle in Mazda's next-generation product line-up.
Clearly, even at first glance the new car is a Mazda3, but with more expression of what made the outgoing model something special, with a big portion of added sportiness. The all-new Mazda3 is slightly longer and has a more aggressive road stance, particularly in its Sports high grade version with a look all its own.
A new integrated front bumper design with a single front grille is adopted (the previous Mazda3 had separate upper and lower grille openings), framed by large openings at the corners that hint at the car's sporty nature. Because the front grille is positioned lower, designers could extend the front of the bonnet further down towards the bumper. They then framed it in powerful front wheel wells for a strong-shouldered look reminiscent of Mazda's sports icon, the RX-8 and applied across the line-up on the sports crossover CX-7, the new Mazda2 and the new Mazda6.
The new Mazda3 hatchback silhouette adds an aggressive note with a deeply etched character line at the side sills, a subtle rising belt line, a newly-designed C-pillar, flat roof line and rear roof spoiler. The Mazda3 saloon has a smoother silhouette with a high rear deck, a spoiler at the top of the boot opening and a rounder roofline that accentuates its compact, coupe-like dimensions and makes it look both sophisticated and sporty.
The rear end design is inherited from the successful outgoing model, but is now even lower and more powerful looking. The deep edge of the side-panel belt line rises over the rear wheels and the rear lamps, then falls into the rear bumper. This is combined with a new C-pillar design and large combination rear lamps for even more visual depth and expressiveness.
The all-new Mazda3 introduces five new exterior colours, with a total of nine colours for European markets to choose from. They were all developed to support the exterior design's sculptured look, especially at the sides where natural light and shadows can change the look of the car depending on the angle you view it from. New colours include: Celestial Blue Mica, Olympic Gold Metallic, Indigo Light Mica, Aluminium Metallic and Graphite Mica.
The all new Mazda3 will be launched in Europe in spring 2009.
source:carpages
