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Mazda's awesome Hiroshima museum now navigable by Google Maps

Visiting an auto museum is one of the best ways we know to connect with car culture and to commune with the past and bone up on one's knowledge. Most of us have a decent museum within a few hours drive of where we live, but that doesn't mean it's easy to see the world's great collections - factors like cost, time and mobility can get in the way. Videos are great, but they don't allow us to browse at our own pace or choose what we'd like to focus on. The folks behind Google Maps have a solution - the virtual museum tour, as seen here at Mazda's fantastic museum in Hiroshima, Japan.
The Google Maps tour allows viewers to take a walk through the main exhibition area of the museum, and you can focus on specific classic cars from Mazda, or check out displays featuring new technologies like Skyactiv. To take a quick spin through the museum - or a leisurely stroll at your own pace - scroll down to start your own virtual tour.

Mazda3 officially unveiled

Mazda has officially pulled the sheets off of its 2014 Mazda3. The all-new compact boasts a wheelbase that's a full 2.4 inches longer than the outgoing model, yet the hatchback is a nearly two inches shorter from stem to stern. The machine is also lower and wider than before, which should give occupants plenty of space indoors. The driver gets treated to a new human-machine interface that features a new Active Driving Display for information like vehicle speed and navigation instructions conveniently in the line of sight. Likewise, the vehicle's infotainment system has received a complete rebuild.
Outside, the new Mazda3 makes full use of the company's KODO design language, and to our eyes, the result is one of the most attractive entries in the segment. Jump under the hood, and buyers can expect to find a Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, though no fuel economy estimates are available. For those looking for a bit more thrust, Mazda also offers a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline mill with 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. So far there's no word on the diesel engine available to our friends in Europe.
Both engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic and feature the automaker's i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration systems. The recaptured energy is stored in a capacitor and used to power the vehicle's various electrical systems.

2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo starts at over $30,000

Following its introduction a few weeks ago, we now have official pricing for the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. The most affordable version is the sedan starting at $30,845. The hatchback adds $1,000 for a total of $31,845. The full list of standard features hasn't been announced, but either model comes standard with all-wheel-drive, an automatic transmission and the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. A higher Premium Plus trim is available for the turbo Mazda3, too. It starts at $33,395 for the sedan and $34,695 for the hatchback. One of the key features added to the Premium Plus is an "Aero Kit" that adds front and rear spoilers to the hatchback, and a rear spoiler to the sedan. An enhanced version with sideskirts and a rear diffuser is also available for an additional $1,075. The complete kit is available as an option on the base turbo hatchback for $1,900. The trim also adds leather upholstery, navigation, low-speed lane-keep assist called "Traffic Jam Assist," parking sensors and rear automatic emergency braking. Furthermore, you can add 18-inch BBS forged wheels to not just the turbo 3, but any model, and a full set will cost you $3,675.80. At the other end of the spectrum is the revived Mazda3 with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine. It makes just 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque and is only available on the sedan with an automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive. It starts $21,445, bringing the base price for the small Mazda down by $1,000. The base price for the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter sedan still starts at $22,445. One final note, the Mazda3 2.5 S with Premium Package remains the only way to get a manual transmission in the Mazda3. It starts at $28,795. You can see the full breakdown of pricing below. Mazda3 2.0 Sedan FWD: $21,445 Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan FWD: $22,445 Hatchback FWD: $23,445 Mazda3 2.5 S Select Sedan FWD: $23,645 Hatchback FWD: $24,645 Sedan AWD: $25,045 Hatchback AWD: $26,045 Mazda3 2.5 S Preferred Sedan FWD: $25,295 Hatchback FWD: $26,295 Sedan AWD: $26,695 Hatchback AWD: $27,695 Mazda3 2.5 S Premium Sedan FWD: $27,795 Hatchback FWD: $28,795 Sedan AWD: $29,195 Hatchback AWD: $30,195 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan: $30,845 Hatchback: $31,845 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Sedan: $33,395 Hatchback: $34,695 Related Video: