2010 Mazda 3: What We Know So Far By Brian DeCastro At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

The 2010 Mazda 3 is no stranger to the automotive press with dozens of spy shots popping up over the past few months and speculative renderings coming from all around the world. Because the Mazda 3 is Mazda's top selling vehicle in the U.S. it's not hard to see why it is drawing in so much excitement surrounding its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The redesign couldn't come up at a better time for Mazda when, even in the midst of a languishing economy, the Mazda 3 continues to be a hot seller among the ultra competitive compact car segment against the likes of the newly revised Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Although nothing is set in stone (read: confirmed by Mazda) yet we have created a list of what to expect when the Mazda 3 is officially unveiled by Mazda:

First, the current 2.3 liter motor will be swapped out in favor of Mazda's 2.5 liter currently in the 2009 Mazda6. This will bring power up to around 170 hp, from the current 150-156 hp of the Mazda 3 s-line and will offer both a six speed manual transmission and a five speed sport automatic transmission. The Mazda 3 i-line is expected to carryover its 2.0 liter engine and transmission options.

Photos of the 2010 Mazda 3 prototype have showcased a new dual exhaust and large, more aggressively styled wheels. Its not yet known if the dual exhaust will remain exclusive to the s-line or if the base model i-line Mazda 3s will also receive the new exhaust setup

When it comes to design the 2010 Mazda 3 can best be described as evolutionary with a similar overall body profile and a few changes around the front and back. From the spy shots we can see styling cues borrowed from the new Mazda6 and up front, with flared wheel arches and an upwardly sculpted front bumper reminiscent of the recent Mazdaspeed RX-8 concept car.

One styling point that's hotly debated is whether Mazda will add pronounced, sweeping body lines along the side of the next Mazda 3 to evoke styling elements from Mazda's popular Nagare concept car. While Mazda may sample some Nagare concept styling we don't think the lines will be quite as aggressive.

Following the Mazda6's march towards luxury car dominance, the upcoming Mazda 3 has been spotted with previously unseen luxury amenities in the compact car segment like integrated mirror turn signals, Mazda's advanced keyless entry system with push button start, mp3 hard drive, and numerous steering wheel based controls.

These new features are in addition to the current Mazda 3's options including HID headlights, auto rain sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, Bose sound system with aux input, lighted vanities, auto down driver's window, one-touch moonroof and power seat controls.

None of the new features listed above are set in stone (they were observed on what appeared to be a near final prototype model during testing) it is very likely that the features will remain and be available on the final retail product. The stage is set and Mazda will officially reveal the 2010 Mazda 3's design at the Los Angeles Auto Show which runs between November 17th and 26th.

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