2014 Mazda3 Sedan: New Gallery with 42 High-Res Photos

As it turns out, yesterday's premature release of half-a-dozen photos of the brand-new 2014 Mazda3 Sedan was only the tip of the iceberg, as 37 high-res images of the compact model turned up on the web today.

Carscoops reader Mr Frisko pointed us towards the Czech website "Auto" for the new batch of photos that give us a better perspective ofMazda's fresh entry in the segment, in terms of both quality and quantity.

We'll stick to our initial impression that it looks like a more compact Mazda6 (or a Japanese version of the Maserati Ghibli for the masses with a teeny-weeny bit of fantasy), and that's a good thing, in our opinion at least.

In the way of information, there's nothing really new as the Czechs simply confirm that the sedan shares its entire engine lineup with the hatchback, with three gasoline and one diesel unit in Europe.

Some of the Mazda3 Sedan's competitors in the Old Continent include the VW Jetta, Ford Focus and Opel Astra, while in North America it will also rival the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, among other compact saloons.

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2014 Mazda3 Sedan: This Is Really It, The First Official Photos!

Let's all give a big great Спасибо (pronounced spa-SEE-buh) to the guys over at Top GearRussia for the early release of the first official photos of the new 2014 Mazda3 Sedan and a big thank you to Carscoops reader Laurence H. for telling us about it.

The new four-door sedan of the latest generation "3" is exactly what you'd expect it to be – an even prettier body style than the hatchback (or at least it is in our eyes and you're always free to disagree with us) that also looks like a Mazda6 that shrunk in the dryer.

The addition of the boot looks seamless in these pictures, thanks in part to the elongated roofline and the crispy-styled rear end with a different design from the hatchback.

Unsurprisingly, the interior is the same as on the five-door model, though, we'll have to wait and see if it the four-door body style affects passenger space. One thing is for sure – the boot will be much larger due to the longer rear overhang.

There's no mention of the engine range, but it's a given that the sedan will be offered with thesame gasoline and diesel four-cylinder SkyActive engines and 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions as the hatch. In Europe, this means three petrol engines, and in particular, a 99hp (100PS) 1.5-liter, a 118hp (120PS) 2.0-liter and a 163hp (165PS) 2.0-liter, plus a 148hp (150PS) 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel.

North America will get two gasoline mills, including a standard 2.0-liter unit producing 155hp and an optional 2.5-liter unit delivering 184 horsepower.

Worldwide sales of the sedan are expected to begin just before the end of the year.

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All-New 2014 Mazda3 Sedan: This Could Be The First Official Teaser

We were just tipped off about an allegedly official photo teaser of the new 2014 Mazda3 Sedan that has been making the rounds on a number of internet forums this morning.

At a first (and second…) glance, it appears to be legit, though, a quick look at the galleries we've posted of the hatchback version of the Mazda3reveals an identical image of the five-door model. So, what is it; real or fake?

Well, we can't answer that question with certainty right now, but our first impression is that it looks like it could be a real computer generated image from Mazda, hence the same background as the hatch - that or it's the work of a very talented independent artist.

The last we heard, it won't be that long before Mazda officially releases the new "3" or mini "6" sedan, if you prefer, with the same set of engines as the five-door hatch, so stay tuned for an update.

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2014 Mazda3 Hatch: The Official Details on the U.S. Specification Model

Despite the leaked images earlier today, Mazda hasn't officially released the new "3" on its press website yet, but much in the same way asMercedes did with the SLC AMG scoop shots, it has provided the official release to its media-partners (that doesn't sound right, and it’s not…) like Autoblog.com.

Since we've already seen what the compact hatchback looks like inside and out with this author's opinion being a very positive one based on the images alone (I'll wait for a real life look at the car for the final judgment), we'll concentrate on the details and especially the ones for the U.S. specification model referenced in the press release.

Beginning with the five-door model's (we expect a four door sedan to follow at a later stage) dimensions, while the third generation Mazda3 rides on a wheelbase of 106.3 inches (2,700mm), which is 2.4 inches (61mm) longer than the previous "3", it is 1.8 inches (45.7mm) shorter in length at 175.6 inches (4,460mm). The height is also reduced by 0.6 inches (15.2mm) but the car gains 1.6 inches (40.6mm) in width. According to Mazda, "the rear seatbacks are nearly 2.0 inches taller for added passenger comfort", while front and rear shoulder room has increased to 57.2 and 54.4 inches, respectively.

Like all new Mazda models, the Japanese firm's VW Golf and Ford Focus challenger has been given the "SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY" treatment, which translates to weight reduction measures and fuel-efficient engines and transmissions.

According to the automaker, a European-specification 2014 Mazda3 fitted with a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter engine, which from what we've heard, will likely be offered later on in North America as well, and a SKYACTIV-MT manual gearbox, weighs about 198 pounds (90kg) less than the outgoing model.

At launch in North America, the 2014 Mazda3 will offer customers a choice of two four-cylinder gasoline engines, a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter unit producing 155hp at 6,000rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, and the larger SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter unit delivering 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. A standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual and an optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission will send power to the front wheels.

Mazda's i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system that employs a capacitor to store electricity generated when the vehicle decelerates, also makes its appearance on the new hatchback. Other tech highlights include an Active Driving Display, a new infotainment system and an array of safety systems marketed under the "i-ACTIVSENSE" moniker which include High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning System, Forward Obstruction Warning, Smart City Brake Support and Radar Cruise Control.

While Mazda didn't give a sales date yet, we have heard that the new "3" will reach U.S. dealerships before the end of the year.

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