Comments on: 2010 Mazda 3 http://www.cardesignfetish.com/2008/11/21/2010-mazda-3 Design From the Mouths of Designers. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:37 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: ramkey http://www.cardesignfetish.com/2008/11/21/2010-mazda-3/comment-page-1#comment-3514 ramkey Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:58:35 +0000 http://www.cardesignfetish.com/?p=2639#comment-3514 Mixed feelings for me on this one. It seems that Mazda has been creating their brand identity with a little bit of muscle in their designs. Their strong, muscular shoulders are being carried through to quite a few of their designs from their SUV's to the just released mid sized Mazda 6 sedan. I welcomed this approach in their CX-7 and CX-9 design. SUV's can get away with having a powerful stance and presence on the road. I was ok with the Mazda 6 incorporating this feature. Just check out the article "zoom zoom zoom here comes the Mazda 6." However, I am not too sure if it is appropriate for the Mazda 3. It has lost some of that "nimble" and light feel to it. So in this respect, I agree with "Digitals" comments above. This design cue seems to be a bit over used. The front facia, though nicely detailed, appears a little too busy and a bit heavy. I prefer more of a cleaner look. The side of the vehilce does a great job of creating some visual interests with surface tension at the bottom of the door panel. You see this type of surfacing in the 3 series as the character line of the vehicle. It would be good to see some interior pics to understand how they have progressed. Ramkey Mixed feelings for me on this one. It seems that Mazda has been creating their brand identity with a little bit of muscle in their designs. Their strong, muscular shoulders are being carried through to quite a few of their designs from their SUV’s to the just released mid sized Mazda 6 sedan. I welcomed this approach in their CX-7 and CX-9 design. SUV’s can get away with having a powerful stance and presence on the road. I was ok with the Mazda 6 incorporating this feature. Just check out the article “zoom zoom zoom here comes the Mazda 6.”

However, I am not too sure if it is appropriate for the Mazda 3. It has lost some of that “nimble” and light feel to it. So in this respect, I agree with “Digitals” comments above. This design cue seems to be a bit over used.

The front facia, though nicely detailed, appears a little too busy and a bit heavy. I prefer more of a cleaner look. The side of the vehilce does a great job of creating some visual interests with surface tension at the bottom of the door panel. You see this type of surfacing in the 3 series as the character line of the vehicle.

It would be good to see some interior pics to understand how they have progressed.

Ramkey

]]> By: Digital http://www.cardesignfetish.com/2008/11/21/2010-mazda-3/comment-page-1#comment-3513 Digital Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:24:38 +0000 http://www.cardesignfetish.com/?p=2639#comment-3513 The overall design is a bit more zoom zoom then the rest of the vanilla out there. I like the new direction. I also like how Mazda is actually taking some of the inspiration from the show cars and integrating that into the production cars. 1 thing I completely dislike. #1 is the really generic attempt to add more flair to the fenders. It does not work that well on the RX-8, why carry it along the entire car brand. Yes it is a bit of a differentiator.........but it is the laziest of all design elements, reminds me of the PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR, The Chevy HRE Dodge Power wagon, etc........ The overall design is a bit more zoom zoom then the rest of the vanilla out there. I like the new direction. I also like how Mazda is actually taking some of the inspiration from the show cars and integrating that into the production cars.

1 thing I completely dislike.

#1 is the really generic attempt to add more flair to the fenders. It does not work that well on the RX-8, why carry it along the entire car brand.

Yes it is a bit of a differentiator………but it is the laziest of all design elements, reminds me of the PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR, The Chevy HRE Dodge Power wagon, etc……..

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