There didnt seem to be much actual reorting of how it drove

 

The new Mazda 3 is also said to have a cheapened out rear suspension, gone is the multi link rear suspension in return for a Mazda 2 type rear design with a solid torsion bar (long round steel tube/bar) with springs and shocks sitting on top.

First time for the Mazda 3 to move away from their the original 'award winning' Trapezoid Multi Link rear in 323 , to the Ford style Multi Link used on the BL and BM Mazda 3.

The reason according to Mazda is not to save pennies, but they say a rear Torsion Bar, I call it a straight rear axle of old (minus a center differential and two inside axles) is to reduce road noise NVH.
They say 'handling' is not compromised with this el-cheapo set up.

 

i've also seen the new rear suspension in some video. in my opinion they needed space for battery pack, hybrid versions of future 3 will be launched worldwide.

Nothing new about new 6, a model older than 3...i'm wondering if this will mean something...

 

I'll believe that when I see it.
I truly hope they find a way to retain the suspension characteristics of that car, it's one of the things that's always made Mazda's so much fun to drive.

Matt: makes sense that they need room for battery packs. Like it or not, that's the direction we're heading down.

 

 

Yeah, it is a cheap out, whatever they say it is BS and saves them cash, and this could hurt them if journalists think handling is compromised when they actually drive the finished new 3.

Mazda 'says' they bench-marked this new 3 off the Peugeot 308.

 

"Reduce Vertical Stiffness of Tire"

By increasing the aspect ratio or just weakening the sidewalls?

Both will compound the ****-poor handling of the 1980s-style cheap-*** solid rear axle.

We are on the brink of a new Malaise Era. CAFE must die.

 

If that's the case, I'll have to add this to my list of reasons why I hate hybrids.

 

BTW, i basically agree with you and Jedi54 about the rear suspensions scheme, but i must say that in EU there are cars sold only here of the class of Mazda 3 (mainly french brands) that are running with this layout of rear sus.

And they are working pretty well, also in sportier versions. (see Renault Megane RS)

What really will change is tires wear, that kind of suspension make "work" more the tyre and increases tyre wear. tires will last for less km for sure.

 

This could be okay or really bad maybe they'll decide not to apply it after further testing is done or is this set in stone already?

 

if they have showed the whole thing to journalists and let them drive some prototype i think there is no coming back, only further development.

 

Only way to know for sure is to put a current gen 2.5 up against the future gen 2.0 and let them battle it out on a track, like Laguna Seca, and see what high end drivers think.

BC.