The 2009 Mazda3 will indicated the new styling design that will eventually spread to the entire Mazda lineup. Laurens van den Acker, Mazda’s design chief, said that the updated 3 will create a stronger “front face,” and will be more eye-catching than the current model.
“Within the next three years, you will start to see my cars on the road,” van den Acker told Automotive News. “One of the advantages of being a small company is that we can afford to be a little more provocative.”
The new look will be highlighted by a distinctive five-point, shield-shaped grille for all models, more flowing details — which will likely use side panels — and longer wheel bases with shorter front overhangs.
The changes are being made to help strengthen the brand. “We need to stay consistent with the message,” van den Acker said. “Mazda is good at getting new customers to our brand but not so good at retaining them.”
Van den Acker was tight lipped about specific details about the Mazda3’s new styling but did say it would be heavily influenced by Mazda’s Nagare concept-car series. The new design will begin to show up in other Mazda models by 2011.
12/10, 9:32 AM
posted by:
441Zuke
i really don’t see how that will translate that well to the mazda 3 it would for and Rx-7 or * successor or a miata
12/10, 9:35 AM
posted by:
j-rova
Let’s see if they can back up the new mean look with performance to match…
12/10, 9:50 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
I think it’s funny how that ****ty annoying java pop-up script LLN uses take the word “van” from this guy’s name (Laurens Van Der Acker) and thinks it’s a van (as in vehicle).
Anyone know if there is a way to shut down those java pop-ups?
12/10, 10:06 AM
posted by:
jonmiles
Way to set the bar low, mazda
12/10, 10:16 AM
posted by:
Rotman
@ Comment by RicardoHead, posted on December10 at 9:50 am
Yes; use Firefox with AdBlocker and NoScript.
12/10, 10:21 AM
posted by:
6ix
Set the bar low? WTF is that supposed to mean? Compared with most every manufacturer, Mazda still sees the value in good design, regardless of price.
12/10, 10:44 AM
posted by:
mazdaman
This will be interesting. The Mazda3 is the best looking front drive compact car on the market today. It will be a hard design for Mazda to top.
I have to admit that Mazda has some of the oddest concept cars. It is a little scary to hear them suggest that the Nagare concepts will influence future production models when the concepts look so awkward. They have been good at using concepts to keep the designers fresh and on top of creating great production designs in the past. Let’s hope that trend continues.
12/10, 11:03 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Thanks Rotman. I used Firefox before and had other problems with page formatting and display. Suppose I’ll just deal with the popups.
12/10, 1:11 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
That’s garish!
12/10, 3:59 PM
posted by:
jonnycat
To “back up the performance” all they have to do is carry over the speed3’s motor.
12/10, 7:08 PM
posted by:
TOZO
I’m just glad that one of these automakers cares about design at all in compact cars.
12/10, 7:23 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I find the comment ‘Mazda is good at getting new customers to our brand but not so good at retaining them’ a little disturbing. Am I the only one who thinks that maybe they should invest a little effort trying to figure out why that is? I don’t think it’s the current styling. As mazdaman sugests the 3 is probably already the best looking compact out there, so just maybe they should be looking for answers to the questions they don’t already know the answer to. Or in layman’s terms: if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
12/11, 6:11 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Nice. I like their new style.