2010 Mazda3 sedan has a Cd of .29
 

First Drive: 2010 Mazda3 - More grins, inside and out

The new Mazda3 has an insanely large grill, yet it manages a .29 Cd. I'm betting we could get that down to at least .27 with an 80% grill block. Clean up the fog light area and add an undertray, possibly .26?

What I'm trying to figure out is why Mazda would leave all that open grill space in a (somewhat) wind tunnel optimized body. hmm...

It's already mostly blocked. That's a functioning Airdam. They're already calling it a smiley because of the design. That .29CoEf is above average, good job I say, although the wagon is a meager .31CoEf. The 2900 pound curb weight is very disappointing. It's going to be poor FE with higher gearing. Mazda is obsessed with making their 4 cylinders go fast. Even though the Mazda engines are usually low HP, their gearing is designed to make up for it. Just one reason their compact 3's and Miata's get sub30's in EPA's testing.

Allch Chcar-

Yeah, I agree. I'm completely game for a final drive or 5th gear swap on my own Mazda, but I have the second-tallest configuration for my transmission. I'd love to be running 2500 RPM at 70mph... *sigh*

Somewhere on the forum I posted pictures from the world premiere of the grille block on the car, :)

A lot of the grill just black plastic with a slightly raised imitation of the honeycomb. Unlike cars that just have a rear block, I don't think you'd gain much by covering it with coroplast.

The new Mazda noses look freaking grotesque.

Surprising with that grille and the goofy fender flares. The grille section may be separate (removable). The original one is. Either way, some aftermarket body kit company has a great business opportunity. The weight is definitely a problem. Increased rigidity is much welcome (my 1990 Subaru felt more solid with over 200k on it than the 3 when it was new), but that's a heavy fwd compact. All they should have done with the engine was add DI to the 2.0 and 2.3 and a tall 6th gear. I won't be buying it.