Although these pictures appear to be depicting an unfinished toy model, fact is that the designs you’re looking at were filed by Mazda at OHIM, which is the official European agency responsible for registering trademarks and designs valid in all 27 countries of the EU. As you can see in the snapshots after the jump, the designs were registered by Mazda Motor Corp. at OHIM on July 22, 2008. The designers responsible for the car’s styling are Kunihiko Kurisu, Akira Tamatani, Yuji Ishimoto, Masahiro Kagekata, Tetsuji Kawakami, Masanori Ito and Kenichi Tsushima.
It is more than apparent that the 5-door hatchback seen in these pictures is related to the Mazda3. However, while retaining the basic shape of the current model, the compact hatch borrows plenty of styling cues from Mazda’s latest production and concept cars like the bulgy front wheel arches and the large RX-8-style grille that’s incorporated in the front bumper. At the rear-end we find a pair of Mazda6-inspired tail lamps along with a more concave shaped bumper and a steeper rear-window. -Continued
Despite the fact that we don’t like jumping to any hasty conclusions, we must admit that the designs look eerily close to what we’ve seen in spy photos of the upcoming Mazda3. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to find out if these designs are based on the actual production model as the sedan version of the 2010 Mazda3 is expected to make its global debut at the LA Show in November with the 5-door hatchback following in December at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy.
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Hang on a second, isnt that side view straight off the latest Imprezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzza?
So much for that revival in Mazda styling!
JB< London
Fugly, this is a step backward. The front looks like a mutated insect
The design's a bit fussy but you can definitely see the 'Nagare' design influence Mazda promised to incorporate into (threatened to inflict upon?) its future models.
Hopefully it'll look better in colour and in the flesh.
Most new cars seem to be following the same pattern, from promising scetches and exciting prototypes to disbelieve as the anti-climatic production models are launched.
Disappointing as usual
I honestly hope this is not the real thing. It's positively hideous, especially from the front. A bit paradoxical then, almost ironical, considering that is precisely the part which owes the most to their new, much touted "flow" design language.
Also, from the side and rear it's identical to the previous generation Toyota Matrix, down to the rising "crease" that runs along the doors, the bumper shape and the "spoiler". Heck, even the antenna placement is the same. Only major differences are the rear side windows and tail lights. You can also see very obvious bits of Seat Leon from the rear.
I would be extremely disappointed if this were the face of the actual production car, because I'm about a year away from buying my first car, and before seeing these, thought of the Mazda 3 as my first option. Let's hope the LA Motor Show brings better news.
It looks absolutely disgusting! - I refuse to believe these are true representations of the next Mazda3! It's got to be a "smoke and mirrors" ploy to protect their product! I can't imagine Mazda would go so far off their sleek aesthetic!
not being able to make it better, they made it looking lie a shit
Why are the front head light are a copy-cat of the head lights of Chrysler town & country? Why is the car smooth from the sides, yet looks like a bar fight from the front? why does the car have two grills? why are the read light are sticking out of the car? why is it that the rear seats have very complicated windows in the back, with lots of triangles, abridging the rear view from the inside and interrupting to the vision? How come it does not have a rack on the top for a roof container or a canoe? How come it is a hutch back, yet there is no show for an example bike rack? Why are the wheels base is big, yet the cabin of passengers is almost two feet smaller than the base? It feels like a dome collapsing on the people inside, as if you are in a pyramid? How come the original design has two mufflers, yet the prototype has only one? Answers please, Mazda? hello? anyone home?
Town & Country, LOL!!! True though...
Ugly