Mazda3

drumm01

The front certainly looks like a 6, but I think its a bit smaller and shorter. The back looks like it is pretty short and tapered like a Protege5.

One thing I am not sure. This is CLEARLY a Mx Sportif.. so we can asume that the Mazda 3 can look very different from this?? For all I know the Mx Sportif could be a compleatly different animal the M3...
 
Any thoughts???

dinu01

The MX is the replacement of the PRO.

http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/news/file/news68.php

"MX Sportif, meanwhile, provides “a strong hint,” said CEO Lewis Booth, of the next-generation Mazda Protégé which, as noted above, will have a lot in common with the future Ford Focus. Due out within a year, the MX Sportif will be the fourth new model for Mazda’s European dealers in barely 18 months. Together, those vehicles will represent two-thirds of the Japanese carmaker’s global volume, Booth noted."

Dinu

drumm01

Thank you for the information Dinu.. So since the MX Sportif is the next-generation Mazda Protégé, will there be something called the Mazda 3?

I simply though the MX Sportif was a concept car to show us how the Mazda3 hatchback will look like. I REALLY hope the sedan has the MX Sportif Grille and headlights.. I think the front of this car is beautiful. Ford might have to KILL the Focus because it won't have a chance compeating with the MX Sportif.. (Just MO of course)

Drumm

drumm01

<http://C:\My Documents\MyPictures\Mazda3Interior.jpg>

dinu01

You're right - perhaps I wasn't clear.

The MX is the concept on which the 2004 PRO will be based, and the PRO name will dissapear and it will be called Mazda3.

So we will get a car called the Mazda3 that will look similarily to the MX concept.

I see you tried to post a pic of the interior. Yes, it is sporty and looks to be well put together with fine materials.

Dinu

dinu01

http://www.mazda.ca/english/40.htm

Dinu

mazdafun

The 2.0 in the Sportif, according to the linked article, puts out 147hp and 138lb-ft, more than adequate for a vehicle this size (about the same length as a current P5) and mass (I assume it's about the same or a little more than current).

regfootball

I still think there is a hint of Z4 influence in the rear fender shape and stance of the vehicle as a whole. Flame surfacing? trickling down?

newcar31

really something else. Compared to what's out there right now, it looks to be best in class. I could live without the recessed guages though...

dinu01

I agree the interior is first class and like you I wish those Vibe/Matrix/Murano/04Maxima/Altima fans stayed away from the interior design of those gauges.
Dinu

regfootball

that MX sportif interior is hot.

drumm01

.... that MX sportif interior is hot. The attention to detail is first class. The steering wheel just begs to be touched.

Here is a beautiful pic of the intirior looking at it straight on. You have to croll down to see the picture... Doesn't it look up to part with an Audi A4? Enjoy, Drumm

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=2df3632a7125ad2008ad795f- 73edd53e&threadid=2996&pagenumber=2

wongpres

And for the most part, the nice interior on the Sportif is going to make production!

http://europe.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=52421

regfootball

the interior is WAY nicer than the 6 interior.

Wow, too bad the price will probably way high when the car comes out.

johnclineii

Or the North American version will NOT have the same interior. Nav center and rear headrests on your North American 6, anyone?

regfootball

yeah, I'm sure they will strip those out.

stretchsje

Look at how the interior of the '6 looks in Japan (and in the concept) compared to what we got:

http://www.mazdaatenza.com/images/imggal/pages/interior.htm

Expect it to be similarly toned down when we get the '3. That sure would be wild if Mazda outclassed some luxury cars with their economy car interior though, wouldn't it?

newcar31

I like the NA interior better. I don't like the silver accents on the seats and steering wheel on the car in that picture. Looks like a MP3.

creakid1

Many foreign countries are crowded. Rich people got to drive small cars. So in Taiwan for instance, even Tercels & Festivas(Aspire) got very up-scale two tone wood/leather steering. Even the tiny little Nissan March(Micra in Europe) got pwr lumbar adjustment.

But don't worry, our new Corolla LE is nearly as loaded as theirs. Mazda3 should at least trying to beat a Corolla. wouldn't you think so?

fowler3

so far, check this URL:

http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/geneva/highlights/ind- ex4.html#mxsportif

fowler3

fowler3

If you go to the front page there is an interesting example showing how to design alloys. It's animated and has step-by-step instructions.

http://www.cardesignnews.com/

Enjoy,

fowler3

creakid1

Even VW group realize that the next Golf/Jetta will sit high while the sportier Audi A3 sits lower.

Mazda6 sits relatively low. So Mazda need a high-seating car to satisfy other customers. Therefore, a luxury version of the 3 should be available, as Mazda did offer 3 levels of Protege: DX, LX, & ES

So far in this country, the only Japanese tall compact sedan is the Corolla (or even Echo & Prius). None of them offers driving position for people "tall" like me(5'11") unless I got 4-foot-long arms! Only very short & big-bust women will appreciate the steering air bag being "miles away". & these cars are a little tippy because they don't got those "magical" Euro platforms like Jetta & Focus, which are darn undesirable due their reliability(per CR).

Since Mazda 626 became the '83 MT Imported Car of the Year, I noticed that Mazdas offer excellent driving position for me. Even R&T's "In Control" video had to use Mazdas for driving-position demonstration. C&D have repeatly praised the Protege, which doesn't even got telescope wheel, for having "perfect" driving position, perhaps the best in the world due to no intrusion to the driver but got the right supports to brace on during cornering!

This time, Mazda3, being the only reliable(Japanese) comfortably-high-seating tall compact sedan in America other than Toyota, offers telescope wheel and Euro platform-- Perfect indeed!

VWs w/ transversely-mounted engine tend to have long-arm driving position even w/ telescope steering wheel! As if the Beetle's tradition have to remain.

fowler3

Being 5'11" isn't tall, that's my height. But I do agree with you about the Protegé's driving position. It feels tall because you can raise the seat. And it also has a tilt control for thigh support. The 6 has this in the base 6i, plus telescopic wheel.

On a 430 mile day trip I was expecting my Protegé to wear me out. It didn't, it was a very enjoyable 10-hour drive.

fowler3

creakid1

By the way. When I said "right supports to brace on during cornering", I meant the dead pedal and the side panels next to your calves & knees. The unfortunate rwd-nature of BMW 3-series' transmission tunnel got the right calve/knee squeezed a little.

mazdafun

And I felt fine.

Those Detroit potholes are something else though. Yeesh.

pat

Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another
round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat.
Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability)
against other Town Hall members.

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

Hope to see you there!

audia8q

I was reading the new issue of automotive news today and they go into some detail about the mating of the mazda3,focus and S40. I hope this hasnt been covered already, if it has..sorry.

All 3 mfg will play a major role in these cars. They will share apx 60% coponents and 40% will be what they refer to as recognition content. Example the Volvo version will have a door that closes and sounds like a volvo and the mazda version will sound and look like a mazda...the sensual factors.

Ford will be in charge of systems engineering, ride and handling, chassis engineering, and diesel engine developement. Mazda will handle gasoline engine developement, powertrain intallation, exhaust systems and cooling systems. Volvo will take the lead on safety engineering, crash performance, structural design
and virtual building simulators. They expect this to yield 1.6 million cars per year.

Taking the best abilties from each mfg. should yield all of us some great cars!!!

regfootball

"Ford will be in charge of systems engineering, ride and handling, chassis engineering"

As long as its Ford of Europe. Not Ford Detroit.

Or maybe they should let Mazda handle it.

audia8q

I strongly disagree. Ford is an easy punching bag but don't forget it was Ford's system engineering that moved Jaguar from the bottom to one of the top Luxury nameplates available. Ford is also the reason Mazda is still in business. Systems, ride, handling and chassis engeneering is Ford's forte`. They are not perfect and I am thrilled that Mazda is doing the engine work but don't sweat the Ford stuff.

maltb

I saw that article: I think they are heading the right direction with this platform. I bet it will be a fantastic car.

dudleyr

Ford will do fine. Right now the Focus SVT is the FWD benchmark for handling.

gee35coupe

easiest target for what might be wrong with U.S. Ford when you consider what they did to that platform in the translation here.
What the recall tally? And the Escape?

regfootball

consider the success of Ford in Europe with Mondeo, Focus, Ka, Fiesta.

Then lets examine Ford here.

ASIDE from SUV'S.

wongpres

The articles audia8q and maltb are talking about - not from the same source but similar:

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- - - _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=07981115

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&content_code=01221354

I think if they execute it correctly, it's a win-win for everyone - the manufactures can save money and that saved money can be put into extras like the beautiful interior of the MX Sportif. Plus the final products will incorporate the very best features of each company.

regfootball: It's Ford Europe, not Ford America. That's implicitly stated in the two articles.

newcar31

What's your deal? Are you always going to be a Mazda naysayer? The next Protege will continue to be the car of choice for the auto enthusiast. I have no doubt that it will be best in class, even if it doesn't outsell the Civic. Yes, it will share a platform with the Focus and it will be a better platform than the Civic. It will still be built in Japan too. It's cool if you want to stick with Hondas, but your constant negativity in Mazda forums is getting AWFULLY annoying.

mazdafun

I'm not sure where the Volvo version will be built.

I am still concerned about the design and durability of the shared chassis parts. Most of the problems the NA Focus experienced are related to shoddy components or assembly. It definitely has more issues than the Euro Focus. This indicates poor quality parts and assembly than inherent issues with the design (although we can't rule that out completely...designs can be more or less sensitive to part variances).

audia8q

Well as usual you love to toss out the wet blanket. It's almost funny how you seem to be on a one man mission to bad mouth anything that is ford or mazda. ...but your last post is absurd. Ford's recalls on the Focus have NOTHING to do with the platform. If you look at the Focus recalls they are all things that Ford is leaving up to Mazda/Volvo on the new Focus/mz3/s40 car.

Like it was mentioned earlier....The Focus is the benchmark for handling and performance by a small car. Automobile magazine keep giving it awards year after year. There isnt a car in its class that is more fun to drive than the FocusSVT.

wongpres

The Volvo S40 is assembled in Born, Netherlands and the new one will be assembled at the same place.

And as you say, the Mazda3 will be assembled at the to be re-opened Ujina (Hiroshima) plant II.

As I'm buying this car I'm very concerned about design, assembly, and parts, but from everything I've read I'm confident about the Mazda3. I just can't wait for IAA Frankfurt.

gee35coupe

if it's one of the the biggest recall disasters to hit the market in years. That's not naysaying that being realistic. I have been praising the Mazda3 since I came here so where's the naysaying? Quit your [female dogging] and wake up.
I challenge you to find negative posts in this forum ABOUT THIS CAR. Speak what you know. The Mazda3 looks like it's going to be a great car. That's all I have ever said here. The Focus that they build in this country is crap.
gee35coupe Feb 13, 2003 10:27am

gee35coupe Feb 17, 2003 1:21pm

gee35coupe Mar 3, 2003 1:00pm

I also have never said anything negative about the Mazda6. I may say it's not selling up to projections but that's a verifiable fact. The car itself is great and that's all I have ever said. As far as other Fords or Mazdas(except the Protege) I couldn't care less about em and have never been in thier forums. So where are all those negative posts about Mazda?

dudleyr

The Focus was horrible when first introduced, but the 02 models have improved to average according to Consumer Reports. I don't think there are any recalls on the 03's, not sure about the 02's.

newcar31

"if it's one of the the biggest recall disasters to hit the market in years. That's not naysaying that being realistic."

That's reality huh? Reality that has nothing to do with the Mazda3. Ford admitted it had problems with suppliers and manufacturing. The Mazda3 won't have the same problems because it will be manufactured in Japan using mostly Japanese parts. On top of that, it will be an all new platform. So what was your point with that post?

gee35coupe

I was talking about the Focus. Specifically.

newcar31

so you weren't really making a point, just commenting on the current generation Mexican/American built Focus which is a different car than the upcoming Mazda3? OK.

stretchsje

Gee35coupe: I also have never said anything negative about the Mazda6.

<holds in laughter> Really? Really really? <nudges with elbow>

gee35coupe

Might have said it wasn't selling worth a crap but the car itself is awesome. I'd have one if they were dealing at the time I was shopping.

newcar31

You're being a little less than truthful. I know you have said bad things about the Mazda6. I remember specifically you calling the Mazda6 "a turd" because the automatic/V6 combo was slow. It is slow, I agree, but I wouldn't call it a turd. You've also said it looks dated because you think it's too similiar to the Millenia. These aren't positive things that you were talking about. I know there are other comments too, I just don't have the time to go back and find them all.

"I also have never said anything negative about the Mazda6."

BULL. And you know it.

pat

Let's talk about the cars folks, and not each other.

If you have to argue about who said what when, please take it off line.

Thanks.

the_big_h

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5881

here's a very interesting part of the article:

"The North American market will first see sedan and sport wagon variants, with the hatchbacks (three- and five-door models) possibly to follow."

can you say the return of the original 323 hatch!?!?!?!?

gee35coupe

Someone called it fresh and unique???. It is dated when you look at it's roots. The cars it is based on mever set the world on fire. In the context of the conversation the car is dated. There is nothing fresh in adding an airdam and a wing to an updated Millenia design. It may look nicer but not unique.

And as far as th rud comment...The V6 auto is pretty slow when you consider it has a 5 speed automatic. It is a turd especialy when you consider it IS supposed to be a "sport sedan". That's not negative it's a truthful observation.

As far as the return of the 323 hatch...I say BRING IT ON!!! I remember the turbo 4WD GTX. It was a hoot.

creakid1

Lack of immediate down shift, more slipperage for acceleration...

Mazda6 not unique? It may not be revolutionary like the 7-series, but it's "uniquely beautiful"! W/ a coherent overall balance(Only the add on kit spoils it). Not like the mixed-bag theme found in the TSX - square-shape chin & slab-sided side mixed w/ a Mazda6 clone. The TSX may look refreshing due to the recent "21th century straight lines".