New Car: 2010 Mazda3

Mazda has issued five photographs of its new 3 hatchback ahead of its debut at next week's Bologna motor show. The 5 door, follows hot on the heels of the Mazda3 four-door saloon unveiled at last week's 2008 Los Angeles motor show.

Few firm details have been released, but Mazda claims the engines will be more efficient, the kerbweight lighter and 'the world's first catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology. Apparently, this cat uses significantly fewer rare materials such as platinum and palladium than regular filters.

The new 3 will have a new range-topping 2.2 litre turbodiesel, developing 183bhp or 148bhp. Both are EU5 compliant and are cleaner and more powerful than the current 2.0 diesel. UK sales will start in Spring 2009, with this 5 door hatchback and the 4 door saloon both UK bound.

In related news, the Mazda3 reaches its 2 millionth milestone this week. Mazda began production of the 3 in June 2003 at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture in Western Japan. Since then, the small family car, which is available in two body types, 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, has been sold in more than 101 countries.

Press Release:

World Debut for All-New Mazda3 Five-Door Hatchback at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show

Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of the new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show on December 3, 2008.

The second generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback follows on the heels of the four-door sedan revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback adopts the same characteristics as its sedan counterpart, offering sporty driving and a dynamic design, together with top class environmental and safety performance.

Environmental-friendly qualities were top of mind during development, including efficient powertrains, Mazda typical lightweight engineering and amongst the best-in-class aerodynamics.

All petrol engine versions of the new-generation Mazda3 will offer even further advanced environmental performance, including the world's first vehicle catalyst to be constructed with single nanotechnology. This new development enables Mazda to reduce its use of scarce resources such as platinum and palladium.

The new engine lineup has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, just launched in the Mazda6. The new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is a high-performance clean diesel powerplant with top class output, fuel economy and refinement.

This new-generation diesel engine has outstanding emissions performance and complies with Euro Stage5 regulations. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also greatly improved compared to the current 2.0-litre version.

The all-new Mazda3 five-door hatchback will be revealed during Mazda's press conference at 09:00am on December 3, 2008 (local time).