Mazda3: Dressed To Impress!

Mazda rolled out the next generation of its hugely popular compact car, the Mazda3, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show and I must say that I am impressed by this model. One in three Mazdas sold worldwide is the Mazda3 (called the Acela in Japan) and that doesn’t surprise me: the car is one of the most attractive, versatile and interesting cars in the compact car segment.  I’ll share more information about the Mazda3 following the seven pictures featured:

Now in its second generation, the 2010 Mazda3 (available Spring 2009) offers the following:

• A richer looking, more dynamic exterior design
• Added driving enjoyment with improved performance in all areas
• Progressive environmental and safety features
• A higher level of standard and optional equipment
• A level of sophistication above that available from any other car in the segment

The MAZDA3 i is powered by an MZR 2.0-liter four-in-line engine delivering 148 horsepower at 6500 rpm (PZEV = 144 @ 6500 rpm) and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (PZEV = 132 @ 4500 rpm). Aluminum block and head construction saves weight. In the interests of power and efficiency, four valves per cylinder are operated by dual overhead camshafts.

The new MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine fitted to the MAZDA3 s is borrowed from the larger all-new 2009 MAZDA6. It shares the same construction features of the 2.0-liter engine while upping output to 167 horsepower at 6000 rpm (PZEV = 165 @ 6000 rpm) and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm (PZEV = 167 @ 4000 rpm). Both engines employ advanced electronic throttle actuation. Mazda’s exclusive torque base control technology provides a highly linear acceleration response to every change of throttle pedal pressure.

A slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard in the MAZDA3 i, while the MAZDA3 s is equipped with a six-speed stick-shift transmission. A five-speed electronically controlled Sport-AT automatic transmission is available in both models. Sport-AT offers enthusiastic drivers the control of manual gear engagement with the convenience and comfort of a conventional automatic.

Fuel economy is exemplary and was key to the vehicle’s development. The MAZDA3 i achieves 25 mpg in city driving with the manual transmission and 24 mpg with the automatic. The highway mileage with the 2.0-liter engine is 33 mpg with either transmission. The MAZDA3 s also tops 20 mpg in all conditions. Equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, its city rating is 21 mpg, rising to 22 mpg with the 5-speed automatic. The highway rating is 29 mpg with either transmission.

Source: Mazda USA

Mazda To Roll Out The Mazda3 In L.A.

The all-new Mazda3 will be revealed at next month's L.A. Auto Show, a popular model first introduced to the world in 2003.

Mazda has announced that they will be rolling out their next generation compact, the Mazda3, at next month’s auto show in Los Angeles. The popular compact, which goes be Axela in Japan, has been on the market since 2003 and is sold in more than 100 countries.

Overwhelmingly successful, the Mazda3 has realized more than 1.8 million sales to date, a pace that Mazda fully expects to maintain when the car goes on sale stateside next year. At that is a good thing too: fully one out of every three vehicles sold by Mazda is the Mazda3/Axela, proving that a lot is riding on this car having a successful launch.

Mazda is keeping most details about the car mum until its press preview on November 19th, but we do know that the car will have a five door hatchback configuration and be powered by a 2.0L I4 as standard equipment, with an optional 2.5L – the same engine used in the larger Mazda6 – made available.

Ford’s Global Platform

Because Ford holds about a 38% share of Mazda’s business, the automakers have teamed up to produce several platforms including the one that powers the Mazda3. Ford, which also owns Volvo, uses the platform to underpin its Focus (European version) and Volvo’s S40, saving each automaker hundreds of millions in development and tooling costs.

The sportiest of all Mazda3 models is the Mazdaspeed3, which made its debut in 2006. Designed for the tuner and sports hatch industry, the car is powered by a turbocharged engine and has a 6 speed manual transmission, limited slip differential, upgraded brakes, suspension, tires, chassis and many other performance enhancements.

Stiff Competition, A Strong Performer Nonetheless

The Mazda3 has some stiff competition in the form of the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Corolla. But, Mazda has carved out a nice niche for itself, one that should help the automaker continue to hold its own as consumers embrace the car’s combination of style, value, sportiness, and fuel efficiency.

Source: Mazda Corporation