http://www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring-car-news/2008/10/08/secret-mazda-draws-the-crowds-73103-21979076/

Rather glowing reviews from the initial "test" drive. Pretty lofty comparisons for the 3!

What I can say is that it handles and rides beautifully.

Think BMW 1 Series when it comes to refinement. Think Audi A3 when it comes to that razor sharp precision handling and you are almost close to the next Mazda3.

Less weight!
With reasonable sales already in Uncle Sam land, Mazda believes it can cash in further with the next generation model which will weigh 25 per cent less than the current car.

Naturally, Mazda is not giving away too much at this stage other than to confirm two new engines - a 2.0-litre 150hp injection and a 2.2-litre 185hp turbo are nearing final testing.

Both will be highly fuel efficient helped no end by the dramatic weight loss on the proposed car.

I hope it is as cool as they are making it out to be. can't wait to see what it looks like.

How the hell can they make it weigh 25% less than the current car? I call BS.

a 2.2l turbo eh? Thats pretty cool!

While I agree 25% is aggressive, it's been well stated/documented in other places the past month or 2.

Mazda today said that it will use three key methods to cut up to 200kg (or 400 lbs) from the next-generation versions of its cars. The three key methods include lighter materials, new design for the chassis underpinning the vehicles, and new material bonding methods.

Most of these techniques were mastered during the development of the Mazda2. The main focus of the weight-loss will be the design of the underbody. During an accident, instead of transferring the force of the crash through the car’s body, impact will be thrown down to the floorpan, require less strengthening for the body.

Mazda will also develop parts from what it calls ‘micro-cell’ plastic which can save weight by up to 10 percent. 15 percent of the weight loss will come from lighter and improved chassis components. Upgrading and developing the rotary engine will be an ongoing part of weight-saving for Mazda.

http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/?p=7025

As part of its efforts to reduce vehicle weight, Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new plastic molding technology that enables a substantial reduction in the weight of plastic parts used in vehicles. This plastic molding manufacturing technique cuts the consumption of plastic resins that are used as raw material by approximately 20 to 30%, with associated reductions in vehicle weight.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/09/mazda-develops.html

I hope that all works out. It will really be a fun car if they car loose all that weight.

Yeah, their 25% number HAS to be high. The current hatch weighs 2930 lbs. If the new car is going to weigh 25% less, it will weigh 2197 lbs. That's super light. The sedan weighs 2780 lbs. 25% less would be 2085 lbs.

My old Saturn track car weighed an estimated 2100 lbs. To get it that light I stripped the interior clean, removed the asphalt matting on the floor pan, removed the AC, lightweight battery, lighter exhaust, lighter driver seat and lots of other "non-critical" stuff removed. The car became very uncomfortable on the street. It kicked ass on the track though.

To get those kind of numbers, extensive use of composites is going to have to be used- which will probably drive the cost up. But I guess to hit those stupid federally mandated fuel economy numbers, manufacturers are going to have to cut weight.

I wonder if they mean "current car" as in what the current prototypes weigh right now. If that's the case, big deal.

I'll be curious to see the final weight when it does release.

I think the problem is with interpretations from different sources. People see the statement of 20-30% reductions in the consumption of plastics, followed by "an associated reduction in weight". It does not say equivalent, it says associated. Heck, even Mazda states 400 lbs (which is in the first link I provided), which while impressive, is not 25%.

It would be some sort of automotive miracle if they can pull off a 25% weight redux AND keep the cost right around current models. But crazier things have been done I guess.

If it's as good as they're making it sound...I'm definitely getting myself the 2.2l turbo...wonder if it'll come in the sedan model????