2010 Mazda3 Hatchback Images

Official images of the 2010 Mazda3 Hatchback have surfaced, and they have been met with mixed reactions. The front end is much the same as the 4-door Mazda3 Sedan that was shown first. So it looks like Randall from Monsters Inc.

If you manage to look past the massive grin at the front end, everything else about the car looks great. There isn't a massive departure from the current model, but the changes are bold all the same.

Put this car next to the competition, and it will make them all look a little dull. And that's from the outside.

Inside the cabin looks nice and modern, with a very clean look. The two-tier dash layout would appear to be a Civic inspired design, but putting the navigation system up there could be a clever move, and Mazda are likely to offer this sort of system at the higher end of the range.

Speculation about specification at this stage would be simply that: speculation. However, despite engine revisions in the US, expect to see the same 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre E20 capable petrol units to remain in Thailand. Europeans can enjoy a new 2.2 diesel, while the Americans can enjoy a uprated 2.5 litre petrol.

Although some details about the car have been made available along with these images, much of it is useless for us here in Thailand where specifications will not be identical to other markets. However, the car is lighter than before, something that Mazda has also managed with the 2 and 6 with their latest incarnations. There is also talk of improved sound damping, another welcome improvement.

Assuming that there is a motor industry next year, we can expect to see the Mazda3 appear in Thailand towards the end of 2009. Maybe.

Related : 2010 Mazda3 is Two Years Late!