Mazda 3 Sedan: Most Daring Design

The completely-overhauled 2010 Mazda 3 is inspired by the improved version of the global Ford Focus C1 platform and is longer than the current model. The new 2.5-L four-cylinder engine is influenced by the new Mazda6, with a torque of 135 lb-ft at 4500 rpm. It’s five-speed automatic transmission delivers a 22 mpg with a highway consumption rated at 29 mpg. The new Mazda 3 has a wrap-around dash top with a radio and climate control information navigation screen. You will enjoy its sleek and smooth leather seats, driver’s seat memory, and steering-linked Xenon headlamps. What would you pay for this revolutionized sedan? $15,045.

Related posts:

• But the prospect is real that the cash-for-clunkers program could die in ...
• Vauxhall Insignia - European Car of the Year 2009
• Speedster’s first rally in the books.
• The Rodder’s Journal #45 - BIG NEWS!
• Which car companies posted gains in September?

Related posts:

• Electric Ape? How about a TriHybrid Lambro?
• Ford Taurus SHO Wagon Pops Up On eBay [Found On EBay]
• His Majesty The Ford Taurus
• Nice Price Or Crack Pipe: The $14,900 Ford Fairmont Durango Pickup [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]
• Ford Taurus Car Profile

2009 Mazda6 Photo Rendering...Is This What Mazda's Flagship Will Look Like?

Spy photos of the next generation 2009 Mazda6 have surfaced in the recent weeks. World Car Fans has posted a photo rendering of what the next Mazda6 may look like when it is finally revealed.

Related posts:

• Site DNS Issues
• Mazda said about 50% of the vehicles on board were Mazda3 compact sedans ...
• We will indeed take suggestions for the Hemmings Six Degrees of Automotive ...
• Adam Discusses Top Gear America Not Coming To NBC
• The Pacific Northwest Mopar Drag Team

Related posts:

• While many frown on ridiculous custom compact cars, automakers are making ...
• The car’s profile hints that the dimensions have grown slightly although ...
• PCH, Cheap Superchargers Edition: Blown Beretta or Miller Cycle Millenia? [Project Car Hell]
• 2009 Mazda6 makes North American debut
• It's Friday: Mobile meadow captures truck's carbon emissions on the run

Mazda said about 50% of the vehicles on board were Mazda3 compact sedans ...

In July, a freighter carrying brand-new Mazda vehicles to the U.S. and Canada was caught in rough seas and listed significantly, damaging many of the 4,700 vehicles on board. Now the ship has come to port, and while some of the cars it was carrying could be salvageable, Mazda said today it will not sell them as new.

Mazda said about 50% of the vehicles on board were Mazda3 compact sedans and hatchbacks, while 25% were the new CX-7 SUV. There was no description of the other 25%, but we'd guess a mix of other Japanese-produced Mazdas, like the MX-5 Miata. Salvaged models could be sold as used cars.

This means that if you were thinking of buying a new Mazda and saw the sinking ship on the news, don't worry. Your new car wasn't on the boat.

[Mazdas on Damaged Ship Won't Be Sold for Full Price, Detroit Free Press]

Related posts:

• While many frown on ridiculous custom compact cars, automakers are making ...
• Mazda said about 50% of the vehicles on board were Mazda3 compact sedans ...
• By reintroducing a wagon and a clean diesel engine, the Jetta should also ...
• Okay, we made that up, but the LA Design Challenge is a competition, although ...
• Rendered Speculation: Mazda preparing sub-Miata MX-2?

While many frown on ridiculous custom compact cars, automakers are making ...

Did you think the sport compact craze went the way of the dodo or The Fast and the Furious 3’s 72-hour stint at movie theaters this summer? Quite the contrary. While many frown on ridiculous custom compact cars, automakers are making better and more affordable sport variants of their compact cars, like the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI, that are ready to race right off the lot. Now Mazda’s getting back into the hunt with the Mazdaspeed3, a high-performance variant of its Mazda3 hatchback.

My bright red tester pulled up on Friday, so new it didn’t even have a license plate yet. The vehicle is slowly arriving at dealerships now and will be widely available soon. I managed to put a hundred or so miles on the Mazdaspeed3 over the weekend and found the $22,240 vehicle a powerful reason to open the wallet.

Most importantly, this thing is fast and feels really fast. The 263 hp turbo-charged engine is a lot of fun even if not the most refined. There’s a noticeable — almost gut-wrenching — lag before the turbocharger kicks in. Most journalists and car companies are looking to minimalize this lag, but some enthusiasts find it a joy. I love it. My wife on the other hand was a little perturbed when we merged onto a major highway and I let the turbo go wild.

Looks are moderately changed from the Mazda 3 with new 18-inch wheels and revised front and rear end treatments. The interior also gets sporty and comfortable bucket seats.

I’m still impressed by how good all the regular Mazda3 attributes hold up. The interior is still tops in its class with only the door panels showing some age in design. A futuristic and easy to use center stack is still one of the best around and the seating position is spot on perfect offering a commanding view of the road.

I’ll get to test the Mazdaspeed3 over a few hundred more miles the next few days and will report back when the full review goes live. Until then enjoy some pictures.