If the Mazda 3 were the size of the Golf or an A3 or A45, then the AWD system would be negligible to the weigh of the vehicle
Once you add the AWD system, car has to be 1600+ in weight
Dunno IMO
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Yeah, i'd buy that
I like it as well...smile is gonnnee...only reservation is the rear, in an around-about way it looks similar to the new corolla hatch :whistle:, maybe it's the tail-lights
With weight down, wheelbase longer and wider but body shorter... handling should be much much more manageable with any increase in power/torque. Sloped back means centre of gravity moves forward slightly, could be a bad thing, could be a good thing. The extra width should compensate.
As for powerplant, 2.5T seems obvious but hardly likely unless they engineer something better. 2LT seems more likely, utilising the Skyactiv system.
There probably won't be an AWD system with the body shape since fitting the rear driveshaft would mean some much different engineering again. Possible, yes, realistically, no. I think they'll do something similar to the Scirocco R, keep all turbo FWD but with a little more Euro styling.
Most excited about the handling aspect with the weight reduction and wider wheel base.