New Mazda3 Hatchback Unofficially Unveiled – Witness the Kodo
Over the past few months, you may have noticed our secret love affair with Mazda. It’s not that we love every car in their current lineup. We don’t. But the direction we see this unassuming Japanese brand moving in is exciting, to say the least.
Mazda is like the little engine that could… You just can’t help rooting for them.
Thus, when we saw that the folks over at Carscoops were kind enough to publish a digital rendering of the next-gen Mazda3 hatchback (thanks guys!), we just had to share it with you. Go ahead and take a look. Soak it in. I’ll wait.
Now, one of the key things to note about this digitized Mazda3 is how it fits into the Kodo design language. We’ve already seen Kodo – which means “heartbeat” in Japanese – featured in the new Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6. Both cars look phenomenal. As you can see, the next Mazda3 hatchback is looking just as good. Swooping body lines that accent both front and rear wheel-wells, a sleek-but-simple front clip, and a distinct roof-line all contribute to a very contemporary-feeling exterior.
Of course, Mazda’s new Kodo design language is only the first half of their brand’s new direction. The second half is the multi-award-winning SkyActiv technology suite.
The Mazda3 has had a surplus of adoring fans since its original release back in 2004. Since then, excellent handling, a reasonable powertrain and great visibility have all helped build a stellar reputation for Mazda’s now-best-selling vehicle. Now, with the fuel economy allowed by Mazda’s SkyActiv platform in the mix, there is no doubt that this suave-looking hatchback will play a pivotal role in Mazda’s US presence.
Why? Just look at the facts:
* The current Mazda3 is already their best-selling vehicle
* Production is going to be in Mexico instead of Japan to reduce importing costs (this is key to Mazda’s future)
* Both Kodo and SkyActiv have been increasingly well-received with each new model
As for a release date, Mazda plans to officially unveil the Mazda3 hatchback later this year. This detailed rendering will have to suffice until then. And in case you’re wondering how accurate it is, Carscoops used real spy-shots to digitally replace camo with a metallic paint job. So yes, it’s accurate.
We’re always looking for an excuse to talk about Mazda, so we’ll keep you posted on any further Mazda3 developments as they happen. In the meantime, enjoy the automotive eye-candy, and thanks for reading.
Source: Carscoops
