Mazda Begins Production of "Axela" (Mazda3)

[NegatiZE]

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.

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."

http://www.media.mazda.com/photolibrary/img/jpeg_l/E/axa03_001l.jpg
http://www.media.mazda.com/photolibrary/img/jpeg_l/E/axa03_002l.jpg
http://www.media.mazda.com/photolibrary/img/jpeg_l/E/axa03_003l.jpg

[Captain KRM P5]

looks kick ass to me

[REMillers]

That front lip is just screaming...

TURBO

:o :D

[Stealth5]

looks like a cross between a P5, 6 and an RX-8

[boostisgood]

I love that car, it is pimp :D

[pshaw34]

any one know if it will be all wheel drive, or turbo. what about hp numbers.

[ZoomZoomH]

right now it'll be FWD

probably will first come out in NA only

largest engine will be the 2.3L from the Mazda6, so it'll probably be around 160hp give or take

if they keep the 2.3L at 160hp, this is not only a Civic Si fighter, this is a GTI figher!

[jrodhotrod]

I wasn't totally sure about the concept car, but that looks pretty sweet.

[ZoomZoomH]

here are the larger versions of those pics:

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ZoomZoomH/mazda3/axa03_001s.jpg

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ZoomZoomH/mazda3/axa03_002s.jpg

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ZoomZoomH/mazda3/axa03_003s.jpg

[mooS mooS]

it looks..... Odd....... can't describe it .... just doesn't look as clean as the P5... maybe I'm just biased.... but from the Rear 3/4 view.. it looks like a VW Golf... actually... from all 3 angles, at a quick glance, it looks like a freakin GOLF .... ugh

[pshaw34]

Originally posted by mooS mooS
it looks..... Odd....... can't describe it .... just doesn't look as clean as the P5... maybe I'm just biased.... but from the Rear 3/4 view.. it looks like a VW Golf... actually... from all 3 angles, at a quick glance, it looks like a freakin GOLF .... ugh

yeah, i agree. I can totally see the golf in it. But i can also see the 6, and Rx-8 also

[ZoomZoomH]

it's much better looking than the golf, the fender flares on the front AND rear wheels are sweet as hell.

I think the similarity is on the doorhandles and the rear hatch door, that does have a hint of GOLF in it.

[IMAX]

...it has more power than the P5. I'm trading mine & getting a stick...

[seatown.P5]

Eh, I'm not entirely sold. Not a fan of the blacked out tail lights, they look painted on to me. But that could be the pic.

The front bumper seems rather low. Or maybe the greenhouse is rather high... no, the bumper seems low. The way the fenders and hood slope down towards the front, and the triangularity of the grill, accentuates it.

I really like the wheels though, and the fender flares. If the interior is anything like the concepts, it'll kick ass.

Overall, it's just a bit too bulbous for my tastes. I like the sleek lines of the (my) P5. Yes, I'm horribly biased.

[ZoomZoomH]

official Mazda Japan Axela website!

http://www.axela.mazda.co.jp/

[JunkPunch]

That looks WAY too much like a Pontiac Vibe. That high waist, rear window, front grille. All Vibe.

I read something the other day that said they were absolutely trying to compete with the Golf. Not trying to look like it, but in the same segment.

[TexP5]

It works for me. The biggest fear I had was that it would look too much like a Matrix. This looks like an updated P5 to me and I'm happy about that. If it handles like the current Protege's while adding 30hp it should be a real drivers car.

I'm trying to imagine the sedan version and I think this rounder design is going to make a REALLY nice looking sedan.

[charles]

I have a boner

[TexP5]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JunkPunch
[B]That looks WAY too much like a Pontiac Vibe. That high waist, rear window, front grille. All Vibe.

I'm not seeing that? I think the thing that makes the Vibe disgusting isn't the high waist it's that the car is ACTUALLY high (tall). Didn't I read somewhere else on the board that the 3 is only VERY slightly taller than the P5. I don't think the real car will look van-ish the way Matrices and Vibes do.

[ZoomZoomH]

I think Mazda is trying to move upmarket and compete against the VW Golf/GTI/Jetta trio in the upscale compact segment.

so would there be a price jump into the 20's??

[Coqui258]

ILL!!! Did you see the inside? It has VIBE/MATRIX screaming ALL over it! Not satisfied with the inside... but i gotta admit, the outside looks nice, BUT NOT BETTER THEN MY P5!!! MUAHAHAHAHA

[TexP5]

Why do you think they'd try to move upscale? Wouldn't that be pretty much suicide for a company with such a small market share???

[Dimitrios]

Come on everyone; altogether now: "Trade In".... :D

I dig the styling; let's hope it's the same height as the current 5.

So, does this mean that 3 is > 5? :o

[1sty]

Its better then I thought it would stock.
I Can't wait to see what the Mazdaspeed version will look like.
Using the old tranny definitly pisses me off.

Reminds me of a chubby chick you always wanted to bang and you don't know why.
I guess its becuase you know it will be a GREAT ride!
(rofl)

[JunkPunch]

I'm not seeing that? I think the thing that makes the Vibe disgusting isn't the high waist it's that the car is ACTUALLY high (tall). Didn't I read somewhere else on the board that the 3 is only VERY slightly taller than the P5. I don't think the real car will look van-ish the way Matrices and Vibes do. [/B]

Rear window slants back towards front, waistline up high (above door handles), inverted triangle grille. I think it is better looking that the Vibe, certainly, but I'll be willing to bet a LOT more people think that car is a Vibe/Matrix than the current P5.

The interior looks nice though. Looks like they got rid of the cheesy fake carbon fiber.

[azeli73]

http://www.axela.mazda.co.jp/spec.html

Stock 18's baby :D... probably weight a ton!

someone translate the rest

[jrodhotrod]

I just might have to sell my Auto 5 and get the 5 speed. I love it.

[LinuxRacr]

Isn't that the Mazda 3?

[NegatiZE]

Yes

[Stealth5]

if you notice in one of hte paragraphs that describes it, it mentions the rx-8

[KYREDP5]

Looks better than the origanal pics that were circuating. Look much lower and less Matrix like. Over all I like it, not enough to trade the 5 in just yet though.

[LinuxRacr]

Originally posted by LinuxRacr
Isn't that the Mazda 3?

Read dude, you're a dumbass!! (lol)

"Mazda Begins Production of "Axela" (Mazda3)"

[azeli73]

I was going to say sometime but...

Originally posted by LinuxRacr


Read dude, you're a dumbass!! (lol)

"Mazda Begins Production of "Axela" (Mazda3)"

[wongpres]

Originally posted by azeli73
http://www.axela.mazda.co.jp/spec.html

Stock 18's baby :D... probably weight a ton!

someone translate the rest

Currently, almost all of the specs and pictures from that site are about the MX Sportif concept car.

Mazda's press release even says that full specs will be officially anounced at Frankfurt.

I'm pretty sure 17's will be the largest wheels on the Mazda3.

[NegatiZE]

I can't wait to see what this thing is gonna look like w/ the factory bodykit a la Sport20.

[TStar]

yyeeeek, i don't like this car's optics. looks too much like french "new generation" cars... bah!

[NegatiZE]

Originally posted by LinuxRacr


Read dude, you're a dumbass!! (lol)

"Mazda Begins Production of "Axela" (Mazda3)"

Talking to yourself again?

[rx7gslse]

ok, it looks decent from all views but the front.. the headlights just look too small or something..

how doe sthe height of that compare with the P5? I hope it's still a lower car then the sport-bus styling of the Matrix/vibe.. If you haven't noticed, those aren't selling all that well anway..

[uclap5]

it looks like the golf because of the bumper plate, and the door handles.

and the gray in the sportif concept looked better. :p

Its ok... i guess.

[MadBiker]

OK, to each his own...

but IMHO *I* think it's gross. It looks too much like a Matrix/Vibe. yuckieyuckiepoo. eww. I love my P5 the way it is now. they transmogrified the sweet thing into a Forvolzda3... (ford volvo mazda).

I wish they'd bring the Demio over. That's a real sweetie.

[wongpres]

Originally posted by MadBiker
OK, to each his own...

but IMHO *I* think it's gross. It looks too much like a Matrix/Vibe. yuckieyuckiepoo. eww. I love my P5 the way it is now. they transmogrified the sweet thing into a Forvolzda3... (ford volvo mazda).

I wish they'd bring the Demio over. That's a real sweetie.

Strong sources indicate that the Mazda2 (Demio) is coming to Canada this September, to fight the newly arrived Toyota Echo hatchback. Both the Mazda2 and Echo hatchback are for Canada only though (not going to the US).

[Equinox]

apparently it's only a half inch longer than the p5, I thought it was gonan be more of a wagon than the p5. Hmm.

[TStar]

the demio was crap, the new mazda2 is quite right...for my mom to go for food shopping on a saturday noon :-)

[redrims]

I'm guessing no sedan.

[Alberteaux]

I seriously thought this 3 was supposed to replace ALL proteges.. Where's the sedan?

Yeah, very VIBE with the quarter window, but the 3 looks slightly better than it, though the Vibe looks like shit. There's something disproportional...too "bubble." It's like the thing puffed out like a Toyota, making the headlights move away from the grill, making it look tiny. Guh. At least the interior's gonna be better, I hope. I smell "aluminum-like accents."

Here's to the limited edition P5!

[Smoke286]

OK it looks gorgeous, and another 3 years down the road, when I look to replace my 03, it should have all the kinks worked out

[Antoine]

TOLD YOU!!!

I knew you guys would be diggin it (well most of you)! Common have some faith in Mazda :D

Great thread NegatiZE

[unwrittenLaw]

I think the p5 looks better imo.

[wongpres]

Originally posted by redrims
I'm guessing no sedan.

There will be a sedan, it's just that they haven't released pictures yet. Initial production of the sedan has not begun, the sedan and hatch are apparently being assembled in different plants.

[323F]

the first press pics of the 6 were cofusing too, but after seeing it in IRL, you could really tell if you loved it or hated it. however, the 3 seems to be a sweet ride. i'd guess it will look better IRL than the 2. i've already got used to the 6, cause my town is packed with them (one of the best-selling new cars here). hope the 3 will be as popular :)

i'm surprised nobody mentioned the lexus is sportcross in the comparisons... looks strangely similar to me.

[VPower]

Right now, I dont know if I like it or not? (I'm talking about the look). My heart isnt beating hard at the look of it.

IMO, like some said, doesnt look clean like the P5.

But 160hp! hehehe

[Alantje]

sedan pics and standard pics

[Alantje]

:{P

[Alantje]

normal

[Alantje]

back

[kcagle]

I do know from looking at the specs on the JP site that 110kw in 2.0l equates to 150hp, so a bump of only 10hp to the 2.3l would be a waste. I would imagine that at the very least you would see a 15-20% hp output for the larger engine.

This would mean more like 175 on the 2.3l , which sounds about right.

[kidkorrupt]

dont like the grill. it is ok, but something about it just isn't right. i think for me the shape of the back side windows kills the car

even with my weak ass engine ill stick to my p5

[redrims]

Originally posted by kcagle
I do know from looking at the specs on the JP site that 110kw in 2.0l equates to 150hp, so a bump of only 10hp to the 2.3l would be a waste. I would imagine that at the very least you would see a 15-20% hp output for the larger engine.

This would mean more like 175 on the 2.3l , which sounds about right.

Well that JP site is dead wrong. The 2.0l is rated at 130hp @ the CRANK(check the MazdaUSA.com (http://www.mazdausa.com) site)
and you will be VERY lucky to reach 110hp on the dyno.

The 2.3l is rated at 160hp and using the 15% drivetrain rule, you'll be at 136hp to the wheels. This is a considerable difference and a great step foward.

[wongpres]

Originally posted by redrims


Well that JP site is dead wrong. The 2.0l is rated at 130hp @ the CRANK(check the MazdaUSA.com (http://www.mazdausa.com) site)
and you will be VERY lucky to reach 110hp on the dyno.

The 2.3l is rated at 160hp and using the 15% drivetrain rule, you'll be at 136hp to the wheels. This is a considerable difference and a great step foward.

The 2.0l in the Mazda3 is different than the 2.0l in the Protege/Pro5.

kcagle, yes, the 2.0l from the Mazda3 will make approximately 150hp in Japanese spec, but it'll be less when tuned for North America. For example, the 2.3l makes 170 or 175hp (I forgot which) in Japan-spec but only 160hp in N. America. My guess is the 2.0l in the Mazda3 will have 14xhp in N. America-spec.

[redrims]

Originally posted by wongpres


The 2.0l in the Mazda3 is different than the 2.0l in the Protege/Pro5.

kcagle, yes, the 2.0l from the Mazda3 will make approximately 150hp in Japanese spec, but it'll be less when tuned for North America. For example, the 2.3l makes 170 or 175hp (I forgot which) in Japan-spec but only 160hp in N. America. My guess is the 2.0l in the Mazda3 will have 14xhp in N. America-spec.

Silly me.:p

I didn't know they wereoffering a lower engine. I thought it was just a 2.3l....my bad(k)

[pshaw34]

I think they both look really good.

[CruzinAltitude]

IMO the Axela is a rare example of a car that looks better in production form rather than concept. Somehow it seems to have lost a bit of it's Matrix/school bus height. Overall it looks like what the Vibe could have looked like if Pontiac hadn't messed up the body in typical Pontiac plastic bodycladding way. It should look good on the road, but I'll stick to my limited run Protege5. The best looking sport wagon/hatchback on the road today!

[CruzinAltitude]

One quick question though, I thought the whole Idea was to call it the Mazda 3 world wide, to unite the brand image. . . Whats up with the Axela name?

[Smoke286]

Thank god they changed the rear lights, the Protege's rear lights are its biggest weakness, stylistically speaking

[vlad]

Originally posted by Alantje
sedan pics and standard pics

Anyone else think that the sedan pic looks like a slightly cooler corolla? Very very similar styling in my opinion.

[MarkSpark]

Looks like an AUDI. Straight up! I love it. Front end isnt impressive though.


http://mazdaiii.com/vbb225/attachment.php?postid=265542

[1sty]

Other then getting a little to thin in the front and a few inches to high I like the sedan.

[InitialDMP5]

well that is only a photoshop of what the sedan will look like, that is not official. but based on the photoshop of the hatch that was included with it, I would say it would be similar.

[1sty]

I thought the sedan was going to be available first?

[Newf]

me 2

[DrPhill]

humm......

i like the mazda 3 sedan better than the current sedan

i like the current p5 better than the new mazda 3 hatch

its a damn shame that the p5 is going to be retired. that design has so many more good years left in it. i love the interior and exterior of the p5 way better than mazda 3. im sad now:(:( i need some pussy:p