Mazda officials are considering using a diesel powerplant for the next-generation Mazdaspeed3 hot hatch. According to Car & Driver, Mazda USA product boss Robert Davis made the comments at a decent technology seminar hosted by the Japanese automaker.

Davis did say that were the company to go this route “performance wouldn’t be degraded. That’s somewhat reassuring, but as to how to achieve such an outcome wouldn’t be easy. And changing the characteristics of the relatively high-revving hatch to a diesel beast with even more torque steer doesn’t sound attractive at all.

One of the reasons Davis is even considering the switch is that he believes the younger buyers choosing a car like this don’t have the negative perception of diesels that the older generation does.

More reassuring is new that Mazda has already begun testing a turbocharged version of the new Sky gasoline engine – just in case the diesel thing doesn’t pan out.

[Source: Car & Driver]

We still have more than half of 2009 to go and already the list of 2010 North American Car & Truck of the Year nominees have been picked. That’s because the list is essentially a list of every new model for 2010.

Nominated for car of the year are: the Audi S4, BMW Z4, BMW 335d, BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Fusion, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Mustang, For Mustang GT500, Ford Taurus, Ford Taurus SHO, Honda Insight, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Lexus HS250h, Lotus Evora, Mazda3, MazdaSpeed3, Mercedes E-Class, Nissan Cube, Nissan 370Z, Porsche Panamera, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Golf TDI.

The 2010 North American Truck of the Year list is only slightly shorter and includes: the Acura ZDX, BMw X5 xDrive 35d, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect, GMC Terrain, Honda Crosstour, Land Rover LR4, Lincoln MKT, Subaru Outback, Toyota 4Runner and Volvo XC60.

Many off these vehicles have yet to be officially released and some (like the Honda Crosstour) haven’t even been officially named yet.

Jurors will now begin the lengthy process of making a short list, with the final winners chosen at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Last year’s winners were the Hyundai Genesis and the Ford F-150.

[Source: Edmunds]

It’s now official, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 has made it to U.S. shores. On display at the New York Auto Show the new model isn’t drastically different than the old one, it even keeps the same 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine. Power is rated at 263 and 280 ft-lbs of torque.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

As for the rest of the car, we’re happy to report that it has not been toned down from the Euro-spec version and that it seems every new innovation on the Euro-spec car has been kept for enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic.

In terms of technological advancements, the MazdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

GALLERY: 2010 MazdaSpeed3

More on the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 after the jump:

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Officially unveiled as the Mazda MPS at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month, the U.S.-spec MazdaSpeed3 will make it’s North American debut at the New York Auto Show on April 9th.

We don’t expect much to change from the Euro version, so don’t plan on any more power from the direct-injection 2.3-liter turbo-four. Power is rated at 260ps (256hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque. Thankfully, the MazdaSpeed3 doesn’t need more power.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

The engine does get some advancements though. For starters, emissions are reduced thanks to a new single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. As well, the 2.3-liter engine gets 0.5 liters/100km (0.1 mpg) better fuel economy.

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

We’ll bring you full details in our New york Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.

Full Euro-spec details after the jump:

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Mazda will unveil a mid-cycle refresh to it’s award-winning CX-9 crossover SUV at the New York Auto Show. Mazda says the new 2010 model will be “heavily revised” from the 2009 model.

Included in the updates are a facelifted exterior as well as a revamped interior. Mazda also plans to add several new options and increase the overall safety of the vehicle with even more safety features.

Mazda’s press release says they also plan to further improve the “Zoom-Zoom” driving characteristics of the SUV. This might mean a revised suspension but it also might mean an optional V8 engine – we certainly hope so.

In addition to the new CX-9, Mazda will also have the 2010 CX-7 crossover on display – making it’s U.S.-debut after officially launching at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February.

The 2010 CX-7 also gets an exterior and interior refresh, as well as added safety and convenience features. One of the most notable new options is the new base engine. Previous models were only available with a 244hp turbocharged direct-injection 2.3-liter four-cylinder, whereas this new base engine is a non-turbo 2.5-liter four. Pricing has yet to be released but this new engine option should help make the 2010 significantly more affordable than the ’09 model.

We’ll bring you full details on both models with our New York Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.

Known as the DISI, the direct-injection turbocharged 2.3-liter engine found in the MazdaSpeed3 is back in the all-new 2010 MazdaSpeed3, but very little has changed. One might even say it’s a DISI-ppointment.

You see, the new MazdaSpeed3 makes exactly the same amount of power with 260 ps (263hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque.  We were hoping that the new model would see a noticeable increase. It’s not like the MazdaSpeed3 needs it though.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

The engine does get some advancements though. For starters, emissions are reduced thanks to a new single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. As well, the 2.3-liter engine gets 0.5 liters/100km (0.1 mpg) better fuel economy. 

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 starts to sound less like a disappointment. For starters the new engine geatures an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

For more on the all-new Mazdaspeed3, keep reading after the jump:

GALLERY: MazdaSpeed3

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We recently reported that Mazda would officially unveil a new version of the Mazdaspeed3 at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show in March. First Mazda teased us with some pictures of the hot hatch and now we have this video.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details on the car from the Geneva Auto Show floor on  March 3rd.

Mazda has crushed speculation that there may not be a new version of the MazdaSpeed3 by announcing that the new performance version of the popular Mazda3 5-door hatchback will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

The 2010 model will continue to use the 2.3-liter direct injection and turbocharged four-cylinder engine although power should receive a mild increase.

The Mazdaspeed3 is sold in Japan as the MPS Axela and in Europe as the MAZDA3 MPS.

Sharing the press conference in Geneva will be the Mazda3 i-stop, which features a new technology paired to the Mazda3′s 2.0 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) engine for a 12 percent reduction in fuel-consumption.

We’ll be sure to bring you more info and photos from the show floor in Geneva starting March 3rd.

Official release after the jump:

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