MotorTrend: We Hear: 2015 Mazda3 Accidentally Revealed? *UPDATED*

*UPDATE*
This story has taken a funny turn of events, seems that this was an original Josh Byrnes rendering from www.carscoops.com, and not a 'official' pic from Merrill Lynch.  See this post for more info.  Great rendering Josh!
http://www.carscoops.com/2013/05/carscoops-2015-mazda3-rendering-fools.html

Thanks to Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s annual “Car Wars” analysis, we may just have our first look at the 2015 Mazda3. The 2014-2017 industry roadmap includes an image of what appears to be the new Mazda3, and a fair bit of future product information.

We’ve already spotted the 2015 Mazda3 clad in camouflage out testing numerous times, so we already have a pretty good idea of what the new compact will look like. The image published by Merrill Lynch only confirms what we already thought: the new compact will move to Mazda’s Kodo design language with aggressive haunches and a large pentagonal grille. A Mazda representative told us that they could not speak about details of future product, but that no images have been released of any vehicles that aren’t currently on sale. Interestingly, Merrill Lynch lists Mazda North America as the source of the image.

Purposeful or not, it’s no surprise that we’re getting a peek at the 2015 Mazda3 now – we’ve previously reported that the third-generation compact is due to be revealed this fall. ML’s analysis also lists the car as hitting the market in 2014. When it does finally go on sale, we expect the new Mazda3 to be powered by the same 155-hp 2.0-liter I-4 found in the current model, and, potentially, the new 186-hp 2.5-liter four found in the Mazda6 sedan and CX-5 crossover.

An early reveal of the 2015 Mazda3 isn’t all “Car Wars” has in store: the industry analysis also include product roadmaps for nearly every manufacturer’s plans from now until 2017. As we learned from last year’s “Car Wars” report, there’s a fair bit in store at the Blue Oval, with Ford and Lincoln refreshing almost the entire product portfolio by the end of 2017. We already are well aware of the 2015 Mustang and Edge, but it looks like Lincoln will use 2017 as its year to expand. The Aviator moniker will be revived for an Explorer twin again, a new Navigator will emerge, and there will be a new “MKM” and “MKA” coupe and sedan. Across town, the only surprising news out of General Motors is the addition of a Cadillac-badged three-row crossover called the XTX due in 2017, which we assume will be part of the Buick Enclave/Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia Lambda-platform family. We know a lot about Chrysler’s plans already, but we have now learned that the minivan-replacing crossover will revive the Pacifica name when it bows in 2016.

From Japan, notable future product includes a coupe and convertible version for the 2014 Lexus IS; a source told us that the coupe has gotten the green light, but a revival of the convertible has yet to be approved. Lexus will also receive a long-awaited three-row crossover, which should bear the CX name. A new Nissan Rouge is due next year and there will be all-new GT-R and Z sports cars arriving in 2017, while Infiniti will roll out a QX50 (previously known as the EX37) and a replacement for the M/Q70 in 2016.

Unsurprisingly, the European automakers have a slew of models up their sleeves. Big news comes in the form of Jaguar releasing the XS sedan to fight the BMW 3 Series in 2015, followed the next year by the XQ midsize crossover. We’ve already reported extensively on the infinite-niche-filling SUVs planned by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi; however, it’s worth noting that a new Volkswagen Tiguan will emerge in 2016 and will probably herald in the introduction of a Tiguan TDI for American markets.

Source: Bank of America Merrill Lynch


Source;
http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-2015-mazda3-accidentally-revealed-370065.html#axzz2UDUNqDOy

2015 Mazda 3 Spyshots with Interior Photo

by Donny Nordlicht of www.automobilemag.com

The 2015 Mazda 3 isn’t too far out from its formal introduction – rumored to happen this fall – and has been caught testing again. This time, however, we finally have a good look at the compact hatch’s cabin.

While we can’t discern much more about the third-generation 3′s exterior, we finally have our first look at the car’s interior. Unsurprisingly, the 3 will carry on the same monochromatic and minimalistic theme from the larger 6 sedan and CX-5 crossover. However, in comparison to the other two models, the 3 looks to have more of an evolution of Mazda’s dashboard design – there is more brightwork, a floating infotainment screen, and different gauges. There are also new designs for the automatic transmission shifter and the screen’s rotary control knob. Chances are that the car our spy photographer caught wasn’t a finished prototype, either, as there don’t appear to any audio controls, although, there is a small knob on the center console that could be a smaller volume knob.

Also coming from a new parts bin are the climate controls and the new gauge cluster. The HVAC knobs and display look much more upscale than anything else in Mazda’s stable, and revive the chrome-ring trim from the RX-8. The gauges look like they’ve come straight from the new Volvo V40, with a large circular dial in the middle flanked by two squared off binnacles.

Despite infusing the 3 with the brand’s new Kodo design language, the hatch’s exterior styling appears to be quite evolutionary. The 2015 Mazda 3 will keep the current car’s long-nose/short-rump proportions and oversized headlights and grille. Expect that grille to get a softer treatment, with brightwork and black plastic similar to the 6 and CX-5. Around back, the taillight assemblies continue to wrap around the rear corners and protrude from the body, but look more simplified. Our guess is that the taillight graphics will be pretty similar to the other Kodo-shaped Mazdas.

Expect to see a choice of four-cylinder powerplants under the hood of the 2015 Mazda 3. The base engine is most likely to be the 2.0-liter unit that makes 155 hp in the current car; the automaker will probably offer the 168-hp 2.5-liter I-4 from the 6 as an upgrade option for the 3. Whether the 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder will join the option sheet is anyone’s guess. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions will probably carry over as well.


Source (with a few more pix);
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2015-mazda-3-spotted-inside-and-out-222799.html#axzz2SnpApPqh