New Mazda 3 Outshines Ford Focus in Head to Head Comparison

Ford and Mazda used to have a fairly tight connection up until a few years ago, with the Blue Oval owning a stake in the small Japanese automaker with which it had a large exchange of information during this collaboration period.

Now, the only proof of their time spent together is pint-sized Mazda2 which is basically a Fiesta hatch with different body and interior, but with pretty much the same basic mechanical bits underneath (not including the engines; Mazda has its own).

Now, after launching the old 3 which was basically the same as the 2 in that it used a Ford platform (this time the one from the larger Focus) and even shared its 1.6-liter (PSA-sourced) diesel engines on certain markets, Mazda has gone its own way, with a car that’s very different from the current Focus, and all the better for it, as the Car and Driver video posted here reveals.

I recently had a chance to take a quick test drive of the new 3, and while the Focus is an old friend, I must concede that the Japanese car was better in every single way, from the looks, to the drive and the interior – not even the low 120 hp output of the detuned 2.0-liter petrol engine put me off it, as it proved pokey and surprisingly frugal. Those who say it’s a borderline-luxury vehicle do make some sense, especially if the car comes with leather and all the toys that the one I drove had.

Make no mistake, the Focus is not bad either, but it felt inferior to the 3 in almost every respect. Now, do check out the video too – it’s posted after the virtual jump.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Fast&Furious Mazda RX-7 VeilSide FD3S Crashes Into Crowd in Japan Taking Down 5 People

Warning: Some viewers may find the following videos disturbing

We've seen these types of accidents with cars crashing into spectators (one) too many times before, all around the world – a few incidents that come to mind include a De Tomaso in Sweden, a monster-truck in Mexico, a Ford Mustang in Britain, a Ferrari 458 in Brazil, and a Koenigsegg CCX in Poland.

This time, it happened in Japan on Sunday, November 10, during a super- and sports car meeting in Miyazaki Prefecture when the driver of a Mazda RX-7-based Hans VeilSide FD3S lost control and plowed into a crowd of spectators injuring five people, including a five-year old child.

Japanese media reported that all five people are well in their health and were simply treated for minor injuries. Police arrested the driver of the car shortly after.

While the "Fast&Furious Tokyo Drift" movie was mentioned in comments and reports from Japan, it was not immediately made clear if this particular actually car took part in the film or if it's just the same type of model.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

All-New Mazda6 Sedan and Wagon Arrive in Paris, get Priced in the UK [89 Photos]

Mazda’s new-generation mid-size model series in both saloon and estate (Tourer / Wagon) flavors are the focal point of the brand's exhibit at this year’s edition of the Paris Motor Show.
Redesigned from the ground up, the new Mazda6 brings a sportier design language along with a lighter chassis that promises to deliver in the handling department, new and more fuel efficient engines and transmissions, plus fresh technologies such as the i-ELOOP, the Japanese company’s brake energy regeneration system.

A Streetcar Named Desire: Mazda MX-5 Miata with a Morning Glory [Video]

Someone just gave a new meaning to the saying that "some men see their car as an extension of their male reproductive organ while others behave as if it's a replacement for it".
Hiding somewhere between a pair of oversized balls at the rear end and the glans (see, we did our medical homework before posting this story) on the tip of the car, is a first generation Mazda MX-5 / Miata roadster.
The hows and whys behind the erection of this mobile tally whacker remain elusive, though Youtube poster, Allandiablo, says it was being filmed at the time and that it could be for an upcoming episode of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory TV show on MTV.

Mazda’s Legendary 787B Le-Mans Winner to Race at Goodwood

It’s been 20 years already, yet it feels like yesterday when Mazda in 1991 became the first, and to date, the only Japanese manufacturer to win the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The weapon of choice was the rotary-engine-powered 787B, which sported a carbonfibre body, an output of 700 PS and a 210 mph (338 km/h) top speed.

Mazda RX-8 Club Malaysia Organizes Mega Gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Creates Awesome Video Trailers

Our friend Shawnz, who you may remember from the Mazda RX-8 Coupe project we showed you last February, sent us these teaser trailers from a video that is currently being prepared to showcase a very large gathering of the rotary-powered sports cars that was held on the streets of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

VIDEOS: Mazda's All-New 2011 BT-50 Pickup Truck

At the end of last week, Mazda lifted the covers off its all-new BT-50 pickup truck at the Australian Motor Show in Sydney. Now, the Japanese automaker has released three videos with static shots as well as footage from the motor show reveal. As a reminder, the BT-50 was co-developed with Ford, which also presented its proposal in Sydney, the new Ranger. The BT-50 shares its powertrains, including four- and five-cylinder diesel units and new six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, with Ford's pickup truck. Follow the break to watch the videos.

Mazda's Flow evolves into the Soul of Motion, Shinari Concept now in Real Life Shots [61 Photos + Video]

[Updated with video from the presentation] While the debate rages on regarding the Mazda Shinari's inspiration (Fisker Karma, Infiniti Essence, or something more sinister?), here are some real life photos of the car outside of the studio. Introducing Mazda's new Japanese-Euro-American Kodo design language, the Shinari shows where Mazda will be zoom-zooming after its Nagare-derived smiley face cars are dead and gone.

Expect the flowing, toned lines to appear on everything from the Mazda3 and Mazda6 to the MX-5 Miata and potential RX-8 successor; on that note, can we get a decent rotary engine around here or what?

Since these "tense" and "organic" designs are becoming more and more common nowadays, how will Mazda emphasize its own unique design elements? As with most unofficial homages (because we all know this isn't a purely original design or layout), the answer is in the details.

VIDEO: Frustrated BMW Driver Takes a Fit on Mazda3 Owner for Challenging Him

This Mazdaspeed3 owner was driving on a scenic road with a few soft twists somewhere in Northern California when at some point a BMW 335i saloon pulled out in front him and started lifting the pace. The Mazda driver decided to follow along keeping, however, a relatively safe distance from the bimmer.

2010 Mazda3 Teaser Video Released at Sydney Motorshow

As Mazda was sending the pictures of its all-new Mazda3 Sedan to the world's automotive media, the first teaser film of the subcompact sedan broke cover at the Japanese automaker's video wall at the Sydney Motor Show late last night. The presentation was performed by Mazda Executive Vice President Philip Spender who flew to Australia specifically for this reason. "Today is the world's first look at the new-generation Mazda3, a compact car that will build further on the Stylish, Insightful and Spirited foundations laid by its predecessor," said Mr. Spender. -Continued

"We chose Sydney to give the world its first look at the new Mazda3's striking design. Following that, North America will host the world debut of the Mazda3 sedan in late November. Shortly after that the new-generation Mazda3 five-door hatchback will debut on the European continent," he added.

"We've developed the new-generation Mazda3 to be a small-car leader around the world. The Mazda3's expressive and emotional styling, heightened driving dynamics, quality and refinement will propel it to even greater heights than the very successful model it replaces."