Tags: Mazda 3 new models Sedan Hatchback
Mazda has always challenged established norms in the automotive business – as the only carmaker to mass produce the rotary engine, as the carmaker that revived the classic two-seat roadster in 1989, with the MX-5, at a time when the segment was almost dead. In 2003, Mazda did it again with the launch of the Mazda3, a great driving compact with high levels of craftsmanship and quality and strong emotional appeal. Mazda3 went on to become Mazda Motor Europe’s best-selling vehicle in 2005 and to break its predecessor Mazda 323’s best monthly volume record after only 17 months. Since launch, 222,000 Mazda3s have been registered in Europe. Globally, demand for Mazda3 has been so strong that production at Mazda’s Ujina No. 2 assembly plant in Hiroshima had to be increased in June 2005. Through April of this year, more than 920,000 units have been produced globally and now Mazda’s best selling vehicle gets its first upgrade with enhancements that deliver matured quality in nearly every aspect of the car.
“The development aim for the original Mazda3 was to produce a global C-segment car based on the concept of ‘a dynamic sports compact that exceeds expectations.’ In developing the revised Mazda3, the engineering team focused on enhan- cing the original model’s attributes. We refined its dynamic performance and the quality craftsmanship that are the strengths of the original. But we also took note of customer feedback when improving quietness and fuel economy.”
Design – Improved Quality Feel
Refreshing a car whose popularity continues to increase requires careful analysis of its strengths in order to build upon them without detracting from the original winning formula. More European customers, for instance, bought their Mazda3 because of its design than for any other reason. As a consequence, the exterior of the upgraded model has discreet enhancements to support the car’s high emotional appeal and to further distinguish the two personalities of each body style. There are new press lines at the front for an even stronger looking nose and an updated rear bumper and new black bezels for the rear lamps that support a sportier and strong backside. There are new wheel designs and seven new colours, bringing the total to 12, and the line up’s Sports Appearance Package is also updated for both the sedan and hatchback.
On the inside, quality feel has been enhanced with new colours and fabrics, along with silver touches to the instru- ment panel. All in all, these design enhancements give the Mazda3 facelift a more mature sense of quality both inside and out.
Functionality, Equipment and Comfort – Enhancing a Winning Formula
As one of the C-segment’s largest vehicles, Mazda3’s interior has always been roomy, functional and comfortable. For the upgraded version, the interior has been enhanced to deliver even more of this winning formula. New features include white driver meters with indirect blue illumination (depending on grade) that are easier to read in changing light conditions, a new boot shape for the sedan with hand recess for easier functionality, advanced keyless entry and start system with global closing of all windows, and a 20 gigabyte hard disk drive (HDD) system that can store up to 3,000 songs (depending on market). Comfort has been improved as well by the introduction of several measures to lower engine and road noise, especially at high cruising speeds. For lower engine noise, a new generator is introduced that produces far less operating noise, the joint bracket near the right drive shaft has been optimized for less noise and better rigidity, and insulation material is newly added to the underside of the bonnet. For less road noise, new tyres (with a new inter- nal structure) are now standard and wheels rims have been strengthened. Dynamic dampers are now added to the rear suspension cross member which lower pendulum resonance here and insulation has been added in the cabin. The result of these measures is a Mazda3 2006 version that is easier to use, with more functionality and long-distance travel comfort with interior noise levels lowered up to 1.5 decibels, placing the Mazda3 facelift among the class-leaders for quietness.
Powertrain – Even More Driving Enjoyment
Mazda3 has always been about more than good looks and user-friendly practicality and comfort – driving fun has
always been one of its main strengths. For its first refresher course, Mazda3’s engine line up has not changed, at least not on paper. Three spirited MZR petrols are still available – a 2.0-litre with maximum power of 110 kW/150 PS, a 1.6-litre with 77 kW/105 PS and a base 1.4-litre petrol (hatchback only) with 62 kW/84 PS – but that’s where the similarities end. Measures were taken to improve fuel economy with engine updates and improved aerodynamics. The 2.0-litre MZR petrol gets a new six-speed manual transmission, cruise control, electronic throttle, and sequential valve timing (S-VT) that helps this engine reach maximum torque earlier in the speed range for even more spirited performance. Two derivatives of the MZ-CD 1.6-litre common-rail turbo diesel also remain in the line up, a Standard Power version with 66 kW/90 PS and a High Power version with 80 kW/109 PS.
Great to look at, be in and drive – the new Mazda3 completes its upgrade with improvements that stiffen the body shell and suspension system to improve handling attributes of a car that was one of the segment’s better handling cars to begin with. Updates include a new bracket for the front suspension housings and an extended tunnel cross member that lower both suspension housing and body shell deformation, which helps minimize wheel camber change when cornering and gives a more linear steering response. Mazda3’s acclaimed MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension have also been enhanced for better steering response and stability. Front dampers are improved for a better stability while cornering or making a fast lane change.
New monotube dampers are used in the rear that have a larger piston diameter than the outgoing twintubes for a flatter ride. And finally, Mazda3 facelift has improved aerodynamics with the introduction of a centre under floor cover and tyre deflectors. This lowers the coefficient of drag of the hatchback model (with 15-inch wheels) from 0.31 to 0.30, which contributes to improved overall handling stability, fuel economy (up to 6% less fuel than the outgoing model) and as a consequence CO 2 emissions.
Safety
Mazda3 facelift has been enhanced to be even more predictable and stable to drive than the outgoing model with a stiffer chassis and suspension. It retains its robust braking system: ventilated 278 mm discs brakes at the front and solid 265 mm disc brakes at the rear (for the MZR 2.0-litre, 300 mm at the front and 280 mm at the rear), along with ABS, EBD, emergency brake assist – with optional dynamic stability control (DSC), auto light and rain-sensing wiper systems. On the inside, Mazda3 has front and side airbags and available curtain airbags. Seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters are naturally still onboard, but with a new seat- belt reminder system that now warns the driver if anyone on the passenger seat or in the back seats is not buckled up. Also new is safety padding on the steering column combined with a new steering wheel adjustment lever design meant to further decrease the risk of injury to the driver’s knees in case of frontal collision.
