Blog Carscoop

A report from British magazine Autocar citing company insiders in Japan supports that the all-new Mazda3 will make its world premiere in sedan form at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, while the five-door hatchback 3 will be launched at the Bologna Show in Italy in December. This means the Mazda’s new sporty compact car should arrive in European and Japanese dealerships in the first quarter of 2009, with the U.S. and other international markets following shortly after. -Continued

The highly anticipated 2010 Mazda3 will borrow design elements from both the Mazda2 hatch and Mazda6 sedan, meaning that it will be more distinct and sportier than the current model (see more renderings here). As with all new Mazda models, the “3” is almost certain to lose a few pounds compared to its predecessor.

Info: Autocar , Image via: Render

Understandably, those who bought a 2008 Impreza WRX 224HP aren’t going to be feeling happy with the Japanese automaker this morning as Subaru confirmed earlier reports (see here) by revealing that the 2009 Impreza WRX gets a significant power boost, a retuned suspension and to top it all, a series of STI design tweaks. Since the 2009 WRX will be offered exclusively with a 5-speed manual, Subaru renamed 2008 WRX 224HP with the 4-speed auto transmission to the 2009 Impreza GT, maintaining the same 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer.

Back to the 2009 Impreza WRX, thanks to the larger turbocharger, the new larger-diameter exhaust and low-density catalyst for reduced backpressure, the 2.5-liter engine now produces 265HP at 6,000 rpm (from 224HP) and 244 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm (from 226 lb.-ft. in the 2008 version).The suspension on the 2009 Impreza WRX has also been revised with new front upper strut mounts from the STI, stiffer springs, larger stabilizer bars and re-tuned suspension dampers. -Continued

The ’09 wears 17-inch alloys in 225/45R17 summer performance tires, compared to 205/50R17 all-season tires used on the 2008 WRX. Because of the wider tires used, Subaru added a new damper valve to the steering gearbox to ensure a more high quality steering feeling.

Both the 2009 WRX Sedan and 5-Door models can be distinguished by the new STI-type grille and the now standard Aero Package. The sedan has a low-profile rear trunk spoiler, while the 5-Door adopts the WRX STI rear spoiler and a rear diffuser. Inside, for 2009 the WRX gains a new carbon black checkered upholstery accented by red stitching while the WRX Premium Package gets a power moonroof.

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX 265 HP