June 25, 2003 - Mazda Axela/Mazda 3

[MazKid]

[flash]http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/flash/swf/musa_upcoming_mz3.swf[/flash]

"Mazda Begins Production of Fourth 'New Generation' Product

- Fourth all-new model in 18 months will be named 'Mazda Axela' in Japan,
'Mazda3' in North America, Europe and other Key Markets -



Hofu City, Japan - Mazda Motor Corporation today began production of its next 'new generation' vehicle. The new product - to be named "Mazda Axela" in the Japanese market and Mazda3 in all other global markets - is the fourth all-new Mazda developed under the company's DNA-focused product creation system and will follow closely the success of the Mazda6 (known as the Atenza in Japan), Mazda2 (Demio) and Mazda RX-8. The newest Mazda will be officially launched at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show in early September 2003.


Mazda's next 'new generation' vehicle 'Mazda3'

The newest Mazda is designed to blur the lines of conventional vehicle segmentation, offering traditional C-segment customers more in terms of design, craftsmanship and interior packaging, as well as a dynamic driving experience often associated with European-built vehicles. Recent Mazda products, developed and built using these same priorities, have helped the company achieve critical product acclaim from customers and media, including more than 50 international awards for the Mazda6/Atenza and the "2003 International Engine of the Year" award for the RENESIS rotary engine in the new Mazda RX-8.

To mark the start of production, a ceremony was held at Mazda's Hofu Plant in the Yamaguchi Prefecture of Japan. The official Job #1 vehicle, a European-specification, five-door, hatchback in Winning Blue, was greeted off the line by union representatives, Mazda employees and key company directors, including Hisakazu Imaki, Executive Vice President, Chief Engineering & Manufacturing Officer.

The newest Mazda embodies the design direction presented in the Mazda MX Sportif concept, which was showcased at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2003. The strong Mazda brand DNA - stylish, insightful and spirited - can be found throughout the vehicle. Key development targets for new Mazda3 included:

- A prominent and well-defined Mazda design based on distinct, muscular proportions and dynamic athleticism
- Mazda's highest levels of craftsmanship and quality to ensure high value for customers
- Superbly balanced vehicle dynamics able to deliver class-leading Mazda driving pleasure that is often associated with European cars
- Optimal interior space and innovative packing solutions to maximize usability

Additional product detail, including information pertaining to body styles, packages, powertrains and pricing of the new Mazda3, will be officially announced during the Frankfurt Auto Show. The vehicle will go on sale in Europe in the fall and will be introduced into key markets through the fourth quarter of calendar year 2003 and into the first quarter of 2004.

In the critical Japanese market, where the vehicle will see an autumn debut, the name Axela was developed by combining the English words "accelerate" and "excellent." This name was created to communicate the youthful exhilaration of fun driving - acceleration - with infinite possibilities, as represented in "X." "

And the 2 other pics that I found on the site:



Brought to you by MazKid and your friendliest nieghborhood auto company, Mazda.

[Duncan]

MazKid, thanks immensely for keeping on top of this stuff while I've been away.

Axela...odd name, but it works well with Atenza to keep that "family" feel. Great-looking car, too -- exactly like the Sportif concept. Can't wait to see it here in the States as the new 3!

Duncan

PS: I'm about to embark on a massive renewal of the general Weekly Update, so get ready...

[MazKid]

No problem Duncan. It's what I do. Wish they would release a pic of the sedan. I really want to see it.

[Duncan]

Yeah, I'd like to see the four-door as well. Shouldn't be long until that happens.

In the meantime, that pic of the Axela is about to become my new avatar...

Duncan

[///BHRpowered]

I didn't want to post-***** on a news thread so here goes, the mazda 3/alexa or whatever....hmm, sadly I think its another step in the wrong direction for mazda, the **** thing looks like a focus on crap, and knowing mazda they'll probably produce the most undesirable trim levels people want. I bet the focus has twice the power 2. just my .02 cents

[Mymellinie]

Haven't seen one. Do you have a pic and if so post it.

Marcus

[Necessity]

Really? I thought it had a really cool euro look to it. All in all I think it's a nice looking vehicle=/

[Shayaan]

I personally like the way it looks... Dunno what BHR is smoking...

Also, I'm merging this topic with the other one... Please reply in that forum.

[MazKid]

Well the Mazda 3 is supposed to get the 160hp Mazda 6 I engine. If MazdaSpeed decides to get in on it, I'd expect atleast 190hp. And I think it looks good. Evidently BHR hasn't seen the Mazda 2/Demio or Premacy, he would see where the styling comes from. I also think it looks good and is a step forward since Mazda is changing thier appearence.

P.S. - Had a hard drive failure on my Dell, I'm on my '96 Presario now...it shouldn't really hurt my news posting ability though.

[Duncan]

So BHR's not a fan of Mazda's new styling direction. That's okay -- good styling is usually a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. Take the PT Cruiser or anything by Renault as an example of that idea. Personally, I think it's stunning -- pretty aggressive for a small car, and a lot more interesting than most other cars in the same category.

What I'm more excited about is the possibilities that can be gained by giving the 3 the same engines as the 6. If Mazda's smart -- and I think that they are -- I'm sure there's a way you could shove the 3.0-liter V6 under the 3's hood.

Also, they make an AWD version of the 6 that sells in Europe. I'd be willing to bet that all that hardware could be easily fitted to the 3 as well. WRC championship, anyone?

Duncan