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2015 Mazda3 shows its shape

Mazda's new Kodo design language is set to quickly spread across the automaker's entire lineup, judging by these spy shots of the next-generation Mazda3 that show some very familiar styling cues. No matter, we're impressed with what Mazda has done on the CX-5 crossover and Mazda6 sedan in terms of design, and we're happy to see the C-segment hatchback ditching the smile-for-a-mile Nagare design.
It's unclear what sort of architecture is found below the new Mazda3 - our spy shooters suggest that the car could simply be using a heavily massaged version of the Ford C1 platform found under the current car. Our best guess is that it's actually a reworked version of the platform used in the CX-5 crossover, however, chocked full of weight-saving Skyactiv technologies. After all, the CX-5 plays in the compact CUV segment, and those vehicles are commonly based on C-segment platforms. And besides, there's probably some economic savings at work with the new chassis - both in terms of fuel efficiency and economies of scale. Still, no one is totally certain what lies under all that black-and-white paper at the moment.
The new Mazda3 is targeted to arrive for the 2015 model year, meaning we could see a final production car debut as early as this year. We expect the hatch you see here to debut along with a traditional four-door sedan, and unless we hear otherwise, we don't doubt that a Mazdaspeed version will be far behind.

Mazda previews new CX-9 ahead of LA debut

Mazda will unveil its new CX-9 crossover at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The teaser rendering above gives us an idea of what to expect. The CX-9 was launched nine years ago. And though it's undergone a series of updates along the way, it's due for replacement. Fortunately that's just what Mazda has in store. We saw that much ourselves in spy photos and videos of the upcoming new model undergoing testing, and the company whet our appetites with the reveal of the Koeru concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show just a couple of months ago. Judging by the rendering above, it would appear that the new CX-9 will draw heavily from that design study in its production form. Naturally some details will be changed along the road from show stand to showroom, including the usual suspects like the wheel size and wing mirrors. Most notable, however, is that while the Koeru concept incorporated five seats, the CX-9 is a seven-seater – and the new model is confirmed to keep that three-row setup. Beyond that, the new CX-9 is set to apply the latest evolution of the company's Kodo design language – as seen on the aforementioned Koeru and sleek RX-Vision concepts – to a larger form. It also promises to feature Mazda's latest Skyactiv technologies to keep it up with the times. For more than that, however, we'll have to wait – but not too long, as the vehicle is set to debut mere weeks from now at the LA show. Mazda to Unveil All-New CX-9 Three-Row Midsize Crossover SUV at Los Angeles Auto Show HIROSHIMA, Japan, Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda Motor Corporation announced today it will premiere the all-new Mazda CX-9 three-row midsize crossover SUV at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs from November 20 to 29. Fully incorporating the latest SKYACTIV technologies and KODO—Soul of Motion design, the all-new CX-9 is a high-end model of Mazda's new-generation lineup. The all-new CX-9 builds on the feeling of life imbued by KODO and moves toward a more premium design execution that befits a three-row midsize crossover SUV.

2014 Mazda3 officially rated at 30/41 mpg, priced from $16,945*

It's hard not to be smitten with the 2014 Mazda3; after all, just look at it. But beyond its slick lines, we found the new compact hatch to be a pretty remarkable steer, offering up good levels of comfort and refinement, not to mention functionality and engagement. Now, there's more reason to like the 2014 Mazda3, as we've just learned that the car will officially be rated at 30 miles per gallon city and 41 mpg highway.
That 30/41 rating is for the Mazda3 sedan fitted with the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G inline four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Opting for the manual transmission retains the 41-mpg highway number, but drops the city digits to 29. Hatchback models with the 2.0-liter engine achieve 29/40 mpg with the manual 'box and 30/40 with the automatic.
Mazda also offers a larger 2.5-liter inline-four in the 3, and while a six-speed automatic will be the only transmission available with this engine at launch, the automaker has confirmed that a manual is coming shortly. With the 6AT and 2.5, the Mazda3 sedan is rated at 28/39 mpg, or 29/40 with the company's i-Eloop regenerative braking system. Hatchback models shrink those numbers to 28/37 and 29/39 mpg, with and without i-Eloop, respectively.