The first full redesign of Mazda's compact sedan in five years, the new Mazda3 obviously takes some cues from the rather dramatic industry changes that have occurred in over the last half-decade. The new car follows much of the current Mazda design philosophy with plenty of scaled-down Mazda6 influence (with a hint of RX-8 thrown in for good measure). The new car is supposed to weigh significantly less than the current Mazda3 -- the result of a corporate policy to reduce weight in the Japanese automaker's lineup, thereby increasing efficiency as well as the driving experience. Engine options are expected to consist of two four-bangers -- a 2.0L direct-injection unit that should produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 hp and a 2.5L with 167 horsepower. Expect a sweet-shifting six-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic to handle the cog swapping. The 2010 Mazda3 sedan is expected to begin hitting showrooms early next year.
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