Mazda3 hatchback revealed ahead of Bologna Motor Show debut

Mazda3 five door hatchback first images

Mazda3 will feature a newly developed 2.2 liter turbo-diesel first seen in the Mazda6

By Alex Ricciuti
November 25, 2008 11:13 AM
Filed Under: Japanese, Mazda

Well, Nissan may have pulled out of the Detroit and Chicago Auto Shows but some Japanese automakers still think it's a good idea to debut vehicles at these flashy events.

Mazda will be unveiling the new Mazda3 five-door hatch at the Bologna Motor Show on December 3rd. Mazda premiered the four-door sedan version of the Mazda3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week. Which makes sense, of course, since Europe is the hatch market for models in this class and North America is one for sedans because if you say hatch in the US people immediately think of the Dodge Omni, sadly enough.

The Mazda3 five-door hatch comes with a newly developed 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine, first seen in the Mazda6, which comes in several tuned variations that can go up to 182 hp. Although, Mazda fails to mention performance details in this press release, which may mean they have not yet decided on how many horses this turbo-diesels gets in the Mazda3. But they do say the engine will meet Euro 5 emissions standards.

Things may be bad in the accounting department, but at least the Mazda people will be on the floor touting their latest releases at Bologna next month. Hey, someone has to keep up appearances.

Source: Mazda

Press Release (Click to expand)

World Debut for All-New Mazda3 Five-Door Hatchback at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show

Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of the new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show on December 3, 2008.

The second generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback follows on the heels of the four-door sedan revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback adopts the same characteristics as its sedan counterpart, offering sporty driving and a dynamic design, together with top class environmental and safety performance.

Environmental-friendly qualities were top of mind during development, including efficient powertrains, Mazda typical lightweight engineering and amongst the best-in-class aerodynamics.

All petrol engine versions of the new-generation Mazda3 will offer even further advanced environmental performance, including the world's first vehicle catalyst to be constructed with single nanotechnology. This new development enables Mazda to reduce its use of scarce resources such as platinum and palladium.

The new engine lineup has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, just launched in the Mazda6. The new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is a high-performance clean diesel powerplant with top class output, fuel economy and refinement.

This new-generation diesel engine has outstanding emissions performance and complies with Euro Stage5 regulations. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also greatly improved compared to the current 2.0-litre version.

The all-new Mazda3 five-door hatchback will be revealed during Mazda's press conference at 09:00am on December 3, 2008 (local time).

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Comments

asif

November 25, 2008 1:14 PM

nice to see elements of mazda's concept cars filtering through, albeit in a very toned down format. smart looking car. maybe mazda should think about reviving the Amati brand idea once the recession is outta the way....they seem to be doing quite good of late thats why.

BabyMilo

November 25, 2008 1:22 PM

honestly i dont like the design of this car at all, it is just too bissy

Wojtek

November 25, 2008 1:48 PM

disappointment especially the interior...

mechamynd

November 25, 2008 1:57 PM

So pure and sleek. I like it's design features.

lucifa

November 25, 2008 2:49 PM

just can't get over the grinning fool face - that front grill is huge! they've done a nice job of disguising it with these photos, wonder if it's deliberate.. still rest of the car looks good

politz

November 25, 2008 4:37 PM

looks good enough... like an antidote to the BORING design of the new golf and focus.

oh, show us some mazdaspeed, please.

by the way, the sedan still looks better, doesnt it?

politz

November 25, 2008 4:40 PM

hey, wouldn't it tbe great to see an upmarket mazda? like a zoomzoom lexus?

machida

November 25, 2008 6:59 PM

Like a Millenia, 929 or Sentia? People won't buy it, at least not enough to make it worth the investment. Speaking from a US pov, no one wants a $35,000 car from a dealer whose level of service is aimed toward $20,000 car owners. So without a separate brand and dealer network, it won't happen (the stillborn Amati project cost them a fortune).

I'd rather seem Mazda stay focused on being the sportiest Japanese brand within the segments they already occupy. (That means please dump the Tribute and pickup in the US, Mazda!) Would be nice to see a modern-day Cosmo or MX6 Coupe replacement though...a reasonably priced 4-seat GT that doesn't feel like just a two-door version of a boring sedan (Accord, Camry, Altima).

skychao

November 25, 2008 7:33 PM

haha they tried for an upscale brand some time ago. remember the enfini? but i dont think now is the time to remake a luxury brand with the economy and all.

Tuner_Mad

November 25, 2008 6:07 PM

Definately not what you would call a beauty queen, but still looks good. Can't wait for the MPS version.

machida

November 25, 2008 6:52 PM

Not in love yet. Looks taller, like a Toyota Matrix, and the extra quarter window in the rear door is fussy. (I sure hope the rear window rolls all the way down if they're gonna do that.) The round taillamps don't follow the theme of all other new Mazdas (and are a tired, tired, tired cliché that needs to die yesterday). And I'm still getting used to that enormous mouth.

Sat in the sedan at the LA Auto Show and while the interior is more modern (the old one did not age well, what will all the square buttons stuck about), but the tiny nav screen (with the SD slot way up by the windscreen behind a snap-in cover that's bound to get lost or broken) seems a little silly. Overall a decent feel for the price class but just not the homerun I was hoping for based on how groundbreaking the first gen was. At least no obvious Ford parts in sight... :)

mps

November 25, 2008 7:15 PM

Hope it looks better in person.

alexyn

November 25, 2008 9:06 PM

Nice work, (inside too) this five-door looks so good. It seems an all new model.

kt_10

January 10, 2009 7:29 PM

Head-on shot looks like a clown throwing-up......

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