Mazda is now the second generation Mazda3 sedan fully Los Angeles Auto Show. The new compact sedan, which will be sold worldwide in spring 2009, shortly after the five-door hatchback. Although it is clear that the new Mazda3 and the current model to keep up with the Japanese concept of stylistic elements of its latest model, especially the Mazda6 and RX-8. The result is more aggressive than the sedan style does not go unnoticed.The similarity to other models, the Mazda is clearly a taxi to the Japanese companies, which were refined in quality and materials. Among other features, Mazda3 Sport steering wheel with three branches blown down and multi-display, high in the central panel, easy navigation, audio and data travel.Spec-American model is the first course, two 4-cylinder gasoline engine is offered. Entry level, and the Mazda3 is the same 2.0-liter engine that developed 148hp at 6,500 rpm and the speed is 135 Nm of torque at 4,500 tons per minute, the most powerful Mazda 3, s, replacing the former 2.3 liters 156HP 2.5-liter engine with the 2009 Mazda6 more. Korb 167HP min at 6000 rpm and 168 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.
A five-speed transmission is standard, and the Mazda3, Mazda3 S and the shift lever is equipped with six gears. Sports automatic electronically controlled five-speed transmission takes place in two models - assuming a 2.3-equipped Mazda3 4-speed automatic.Japanese automaker said that came with the Mazda3 2.0-liter engine is 25 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg with manual transmission in automatic mode. Kilometers of roads with 2.0-liter engine is 33 mpg with the transmission. Mazda3, s, 20 mpg in all conditions (see list on average). Equipped with six-speed is your city, 21 mpg rating is 22 mpg with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Rating is 29 mpg highway with the transmission. Although Mazda has not announced the price and the Level 3 Details of new equipment, industry, not all versions come as standard with six airbags and active headrests.
Mazda 3 Sedan
Welcome back.Familiar yet not so familiar? This is what Zoom-zoom team Malaysia done to our mazda 3. Compare down here to see what did they decided to it.
Some people call in the big smiley face, yet some people call it ahideous looking thing. Either way, Mazda team Malaysia has decided to paint the centre front of the car to the body colour. We personally think they did a great job and correct choice. It looks better now isn’t it ? Do leave a comment down this page and tell us what you think.
Moving on to the rear of the car. Aside from the uniquely design rear lights, do notice there’s no keyhole for you to slot in your key in the boot area. We didn’t manage to get the picture of the key but we can tell you that it has boot release function on the key itself. There’s also another function for the key itself. That you need to wait till’ Saturday. For now, think VW Golf Gti.
Moving on to the rear of the car. Aside from the uniquely design rear lights, do notice there’s no keyhole for you to slot in your key in the boot area. We didn’t manage to get the picture of the key but we can tell you that it has boot release function on the key itself. There’s also another function for the key itself. That you need to wait till’ Saturday. For now, think VW Golf Gti.
If you can see properly, there’s also side skirt attached with the car.
The leaf liked shaped foglights adapted designs from Mazda Furai and Kiyora.Notice there there’s a black splitter below the bumper. Styling and aerodynamics?
Side-view of the projector headlamp. Check out the design the 2 sleeping V “<<” in front of the projector lamp.
with Bi-xenon lights and foglights on.
Finally the interior, we didn’t really manage to capture the 2 layer dashboard but overall this is how it looks. We promise more on Saturday.Notice’s there’s many buttons and control that keep the driver’s hand on the steering wheel while playing with all the switches. The thing that we like the most is what we mentioned yesterday. Steering mounted paddleshift. We think it is handy because you can easily switch gears when you turning in directions. Unlike civic 2.0, which is not steering mounted.
Best of all you can actually change up/down gear with any side of the steering wheel & we heard that there’s a gear extra too (5-speed gearbox).
For those who’s not used to paddle shift. The activematic gear shift is retained.
The new audio system. Now supports mp3, wma and also there’s audio jack below the arm rest compartment for your own music player.
That’s all for today. The model you’re looking at is the Mazda 3 2.0 model. Do come back Saturday and we’ll go grab more detailed specification of the car. From the engine & transmission, exterior, interior, safety and others. Hope you continue to support fastmotoring.com and we promise more exciting news in the future. If there’s something you want to know about the car please leave a comment we’ll try to answer you or get back to you on Saturday.
The leaf liked shaped foglights adapted designs from Mazda Furai and Kiyora.Notice there there’s a black splitter below the bumper. Styling and aerodynamics?
Side-view of the projector headlamp. Check out the design the 2 sleeping V “<<” in front of the projector lamp.
with Bi-xenon lights and foglights on.
Finally the interior, we didn’t really manage to capture the 2 layer dashboard but overall this is how it looks. We promise more on Saturday.Notice’s there’s many buttons and control that keep the driver’s hand on the steering wheel while playing with all the switches. The thing that we like the most is what we mentioned yesterday. Steering mounted paddleshift. We think it is handy because you can easily switch gears when you turning in directions. Unlike civic 2.0, which is not steering mounted.
Best of all you can actually change up/down gear with any side of the steering wheel & we heard that there’s a gear extra too (5-speed gearbox).
For those who’s not used to paddle shift. The activematic gear shift is retained.
The new audio system. Now supports mp3, wma and also there’s audio jack below the arm rest compartment for your own music player.
That’s all for today. The model you’re looking at is the Mazda 3 2.0 model. Do come back Saturday and we’ll go grab more detailed specification of the car. From the engine & transmission, exterior, interior, safety and others. Hope you continue to support fastmotoring.com and we promise more exciting news in the future. If there’s something you want to know about the car please leave a comment we’ll try to answer you or get back to you on Saturday.
Blings:Breaks the bang-for-buck barrier into a billion bits
Six-speed manual
Top-shelf interior
Quieter cabin
Dings:
Tight back seat
Styling a bit hard to warm up to – particularly in the i Touring trim.
Ruling: A car that everyone, and we do mean everyone, can love. “Just because it isn’t fancy doesn’t mean it isn’t high quality.” That was a quote from Robert Davis, VP of Product Development for Mazda during a recent event at the company’s North American headquarters in Irvine. The quote was in reference to the way Mazda conducts it business and builds its cars, and it particularly struck a cord with me because that’s how I live my life; the highest quality with no frills attached. Davis was emphasizing Mazda’s continued focus on building vehicles that people are comfortable living with and being seen in. There is no stigma, attitude or social predisposition attached to a Mazda. You don’t have to be royalty, an heiress or have some kind of abbreviated title after your name. A Mazda is like your favorite pair of jeans; attractive, appropriate almost anywhere and so comfortable you sometimes forget you have them on. And if wherever you’re going doesn’t allow jeans, or a Mazda for that matter, then maybe it’s too fancy of a place to begin with.
Take for instance the MAZDA3 . Representing over 40 percent of Mazda’s sales, the brand would be floundering without this remarkable little runabout. If you read our 2009 MAZDA3 review, then you know how highly we regard this lovable machine. Quite honestly, if you hate the MAZDA3 , you’re either too highbrow, have insatiable standards and probably find the touch of denim anywhere on your body most disagreeable.
First Impressions
When we first saw the 2010 MAZDA3 in sheetmetal last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, our initial reaction was indifferent. Quite honestly, we preferred the exterior design of the existing Mazda3. And although we like the company’s attempt to create a consistent, trademarked RX-8 fender look across all its products, we’re slow to warm up to the facelift designers gave the new Mazda3, which also resembles the RX-8’s new gesicht. The 3’s grille looks almost cartoonish, particularly in the i Touring guise.
We drove both the base MAZDA3 i Touring and the fully loaded MAZDA3 s Grand Touring, and the very first observation we made with both is the incredible improvement Mazda engineers have made with reducing road noise. The NVH levels inside are noticeably lower, but still don’t quite compare to the 3’s biggest competitor, the Corolla.
The MAZDA3 i Touring humps itself with a 2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve four cylinder good for 148 horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. torque, and returns an impressive 33 mpg highway result. The 3s Grand Touring gets the 2.5 liter DOHC 16-valve four banger, also found in the base MAZDA6 , which lays down 167 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. torque. Although the s has more motivation and a sixth gear if you opt for the manual transmission, seat-of-the-pants acceleration wasn’t markedly different between the two. In fact, the 7.8 second 0-60 in the s is a few ticks slower than the previous generation, which is attributable to both 150 pounds more heft and the extra shift required to get to 60 mph in the new 3. The added heft and bigger engine also come at a fuel economy cost, but it’s slight, only dropping one mpg overall to 21 city/29 highway in the 2.5 liter.
But even though the new 3 gives up a little in the acceleration department, it absolutely hasn’t lost any edge with its adroit handling. The MAZDA3 has always been, and probably always will be, the most fun compact car to drive. Robert Davis even highlighted this fact in his speech. Honda might own fuel economy and Toyota might own reliability, but when it comes to driving excitement, Davis was emphatic that Mazda’s ‘zoom-zoom’ ideology will never relinquish its tenacious grip on the title.
Build
If you can find a better built, higher quality car for the money than a MAZDA3 , we wanna know about it. The interior plastics and gauges could pass muster in cars twice the price, and the NVH improvements makes the 3 feel even higher quality than the previous generation. It’s no surprise that the MAZDA3 comprises over 40 percent of the company’s sales.
Interior
Despite Davis’ remarks about Mazda not being fancy, seat yourself inside a fully-loaded s Grand Touring, and you’d momentarily question him; that is until you look at the anticipated sub-$26,000 sticker price. Heated seats with 8-way power and memory for the driver, keyless entry with push-button start, Bluetooth, navigation, adaptive front lights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control…whew. The equipage is eye-popping, especially for the price. And not only does it come with a lot, but Mazda has actually improved upon an interior which we didn’t think needed any improving. The previous generation, with its red illuminated gauges evoked a sporty feel not found in any other compact. With the 2010 model, designers have stepped up the maturity level of the interior a bit, but without losing that energetic appeal.
The current Mazda 3 is a class-leading car. But while it is winning awards elsewhere for performance and handling, only the most basic versions come here in GCC-spec form, effectively crippling it against the likes of Honda and Toyota. The all-new 2009 Mazda 3 is just around the corner. To be unveiled at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, the new car is set to revolutionise compact cars again.Still based on the awesome Ford Focus platform, the new 2009 Mazda 3, which might come here as a 2010 model, will take styling cues from the new Mazda 6, but utilising a sporty grille-less design. These renderings were released by two British magazines based on spy shots. We’ve modified their renderings to be more realistic, adding a taller ride height and more practical ground clearance.
ALL-NEW 2010 MAZDA3 SEDAN TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE 2008 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOWDeveloped in line with Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom philosophy of engineering vehicles that are fun to drive, satisfying to own, and environmentally responsible, the all-new MAZDA3 is one of the most anticipated product launches at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The popular MAZDA3 – the company’s best-selling vehicle worldwide – arrives as a fully reengineered, completely redesigned, second-generation compact sedan providing:
* 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 new MAZDA3 is perfectly positioned for the rapidly changing auto market. It offers a mix of quality, styling, power, dynamics and fit and finish that hits the bulls-eye for today’s customers. In typical Mazda fashion, MAZDA3 will offer standard and optional equipment simply not found on other cars in this class – exactly what buyers looking for more value and less bulk want.
This 2010 edition stands on tall shoulders: the first-generation MAZDA3 earned 90 major awards from expert critics and achieved a 1.8-million sales volume during its five years serving customers all over the world. One in three Mazdas sold is a MAZDA3. Even at the end of its build life, the first-generation MAZDA3 continued to earn accolades as a leading consumer magazine recently named this car as one of the most reliable compact sedans money can buy.
MAZDA3 Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda established ambitious goals for Mazda’s most popular car line, “We were determined to advance the Zoom-Zoom driving experience to new heights because that unique feeling lies at the very heart of Mazda. On the heels of the original MAZDA3’s success, we aimed to again exceed the expectations of customers all over the world by a wide margin. This meant providing drivers with a sense of exhilaration whether they were in motion, seated in the MAZDA3’s cockpit, or enjoying its appearance from outside.”
On what it takes to develop a true “world car,” Maeda added, “The development process began with careful study and identification of what features and performance qualities would be needed. That initial phase ended with my conclusion that every driving characteristic was eligible for improvement to reach our Zoom-Zoom goals. Mazda engineering and R&D departments in Japan, Europe, and the US all contributed to the MAZDA3’s renewal effort and the development of the company’s new world car.”
EXTERIOR DESIGN
RECOGNIZABLE AS A MAZDA3 BUT MORE EXPRESSIVE AND DYNAMIC
Chief designer Kunihiko Kurisu’s mission was to remain faithful to the MAZDA3’s existing visual identity while evolving its appearance with richer, bolder design strokes. Infusing each subsequent new model with more emotional aesthetics is a longstanding Mazda tradition. The key MAZDA3 exterior design highlights are:
* A move toward a more unified Mazda global “family face”
* A reinforced frontal identity which integrates the lower air intake with a more emphatic and instantly recognizable five-point grille
* To stress power and dynamism, major design elements focus on or flow toward the vehicle’s central axis. At the front, fascia lines converge on the center-point at the bottom of the grille. At the rear, the decklid’s surface has a distinctive center crease
* The compact cabin, high deck surfaces, and flowing C-pillar features were inspired by the classic coupe profile, as seen on the 2009 MAZDA6
* Hood and side surfaces are shaped to reflect light and physical surroundings
* Subtle wedge-shaped and curving side character lines shared with other Mazda models give the MAZDA3 a strong sense of impending motion-like a predator poised to strike
* A new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps has been added as standard on Grand Touring models. The MAZDA3 is the first compact offered for sale in the US with such an advanced lighting system
* Exterior design elements contribute to the car’s function by minimizing aerodynamic drag and lift while providing the powertrain, chassis, and interior with adequate air flow for cooling and climate control
* To supplement the four-door sedan introduced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, a five-door hatchback MAZDA3 will arrive later
INTERIOR DESIGN
HIGH QUALITY, SOPHISTICATED, AND SPORTY
Inside, the new MAZDA3 offers a sporty yet highly refined cabin. As if taut muscles lie within, the dash sweeps dramatically from its center to the cabin’s sidewalls. The large gauge cluster and center stack are positioned to tightly link the driver’s limbs and senses to the car’s instruments and controls.
The slant of the instrument panel optimizes operating efficiency while providing an attractive focal point. Range of motion studies helped position all controls at an ideal reach. Key knobs and switches are positioned at the same level as the steering wheel and the shifter. The interior of the 2010 MAZDA3 is based on Mazda’s Human Machine Interface concept.
All the information a driver needs is readily available in one concentrated area that minimizes lapses of concentration on the road ahead. A Multi-Information Display is positioned high on the center portion of the instrument panel to further minimize distraction. Navigation, audio, and trip computer information is provided in this handy and easy-to-view location.
Front seat cushions have been extended by nearly an inch compared to the outgoing car in order to provide improved thigh support. Backrests are 1.4-inches taller and recontoured for improved driving posture. For the higher grade models, the upper side bolsters have been canted inward for heightened torso restraint during aggressive cornering. A three-position memory function has been added to cars equipped with power seats – another first for the segment, and not offered at any price on any competitors’ compact car. Upon approach to the car, the left-front seat automatically adjusts to the settings chosen by up to three different drivers by recognizing the code of the key fob.
To provide a top-quality cockpit appearance, the number of parting lines is minimized and soft-touch surfaces show an elegant grained texture. An interactive lighting system enhances the cabin’s ambience and sense of tranquility. Upon entry, illumination rises in intensity in a programmed manner. Occupants are welcomed by foot-well and door-handle lamps. Next, instrument cluster, center stack, audio and climate controls brighten. When a driver or front seat occupant touches an audio or AC switch, a change in illumination acknowledges that the command has been received.
Dual-zone automatic air conditioning is an available MAZDA3 option. Other special features that distinguish this car from mundane compact sedans are: a Bose 10-speaker premium surround sound system, connectivity for cell phones and portable media players, a dock for iPods, and Sirius satellite radio. An advanced keyless entry system includes push-button engine starting. The MAZDA3 options list also includes rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, and heated seats.
Overall, the details included in the new MAZDA3 all contribute to the sense of quality in the car. This is a vehicle that offers equipment, fit and finish simply not found in other vehicles in this price range and class, and helps perfectly position MAZDA3 for buyers considering a way to spend less and get more in this new economic climate.
POWER TO GO
SPIRITED POWERTRAINS ENGINEERED FOR
MAXIMUM ZOOM-ZOOM, MINIMAL CONSUMPTION
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. As the new MAZDA3 is larger in every dimension – meeting the requests and needs of customers – Mazda engineers worked hard to deliver a vehicle that offers fuel economy on-par with the outgoing car.
To refine the acoustic qualities of the MAZDA3 powertrains, extra attention was paid to tuning each engine’s intake and exhaust system. Resonance chambers were implemented to quiet certain sound frequencies while reinforcing others, achieving a well mannered yet sporty voice during acceleration. The MAZDA3 s 2.5-liter engine is equipped with dual tailpipes and specially tuned mufflers to reduce mid-range boom and objectionable high-frequency noise at high rpm.
MAZDA3s certified to U.S. Federal exhaust emission standards are equipped with catalytic converters employing advanced single nanotechnology. It is used to embed individual particles of precious metals, which are less than five nanometers in diameter, into the catalyst base material. This new development enables Mazda to reduce the amount of expensive precious metals such as platinum and palladium by 70 to 90 percent without impairing catalyst performance. The catalyst is an important part of Mazda’s efforts to reduce reliance on limited resources.
SOUND FOUNDATION
INCREASED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND REDUCED AERODYNAMIC DRAG CONTRIBUTE TO MAZDA3′S POISE AND PERFORMANCE
The 2009 MAZDA6 offers one of the stiffest unibody structures on any Mazda vehicle. Lessons learned in developing that car provided major strides in structural stiffness in the new MAZDA3. A stiff unibody provides a smoother ride, more confident handling, and improved agility with virtually no increase in unibody weight.
Reengineered unibody joints and increased metal gauges in key areas help diminish the transmission of road and powertrain noise into the passenger cabin. Suspension anchor points are more substantial to provide the solid foundation needed to absorb steering and suspension forces. In addition to welded attachments, suspension towers are bonded to the surrounding unibody areas with structural adhesives. A combination of welding and adhesives – also borrowed from the 2009 MAZDA6 – is also used to increase the rigidity and collision deformation resistance at door opening locations. The stiffer door design also improves the effectiveness of weather seals that block moisture and noise from the interior.
A Mazda engineering approach called Aero Flow Management was used to optimize the flow of air around and through MAZDA3 body openings. Even though the front grille appears larger than before, it’s actually 20-percent smaller to ingest only the amount of air needed for combustion and cooling. An air guide attached to the front bumper directs the flow through the radiator where it’s most useful. At high speeds, a bypass flap opens to minimize cooling fan drag.
Air flow along the MAZDA3’s body sides was improved during wind tunnel testing by placing deflectors near the tires and by carefully tuning the upper-forward corners of the cabin. Subtle refinements in the shape of the A-pillars, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, and taillamps also contributed to the six-percent reduction in wind noise levels. The 0.29 drag coefficient (Cd) achieved by Mazda engineers is one of the lowest available in the compact class and highly beneficial to highway fuel economy.
CLASS-LEADING CHASSIS DESIGN
SUBTLE YET COMPREHENSIVE REFINEMENTS ADVANCE THE COMPACT CLASS’S SPORTIEST MODEL TO NEW HEIGHTS OF DRIVING FUN AND FUNCTION
There was no need to reinvent the MAZDA3’s chassis design because the first generation achieved distinction as the best available in the compact class in terms of driving enjoyment, handling, and all around poise. Subtle and tuning changes were the order of the day.
A rubber-isolated subframe in front supports the entire powertrain, the rack-and-pinion steering system, and the lower attachments of the coil spring MacPherson strut suspension. The independent multi-link rear suspension also uses coil springs with one trailing arm, two lateral links, and one toe-control link per side. Four-wheel power disc brakes with vented rotors in front and solid rotors in back are standard equipment. Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control are available on all MAZDA3s, standard on some trim levels.
To improve steering feel, the electro-hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion steering gear is now secured at three instead of two attachment locations. The additional mounting point allowed a reduction in the stiffness of the bushings that support the steering gear to diminish the vibration transmitted over rough pavement.
Resistance to body roll has been increased by recalibrating the monotube rear dampers for tighter control and by switching to a new more substantial mounting arrangement for the front and rear anti-roll bars. At the front of the new MAZDA3, lower control arms, the subframe, and mount bushings are all stiffer to improve both steering response and cornering grip at the adhesion limit. A redesigned rear suspension crossmember is both lighter and significantly stiffer, also for improved handling.
The most notable change to the braking system is a new vacuum booster that provides a more reassuring response to light pedal efforts without disturbing the highly direct and linear feel inherited from the first-generation MAZDA3. Adjustments to the electronic brake force distribution programming enhance vehicle stability during mixed braking and cornering maneuvers. Structural changes to the unibody mentioned above help improve not only the rigidity of the brakes but also their linearity during high-g stops.
The MAZDA3 i is equipped with 10.9-inch diameter front rotors and 10.4-inch diameter rear rotors while the more powerful MAZDA3 s is fitted with 11.8-inch front and 11.0-inch rear rotors.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS
THE NEW MAZDA3 IS NOT ONLY FUN TO DRIVE, ITS HIGH LEVEL OF MANEUVERABILITY IS ALSO THE BEST HEDGE AGAINST A COLLISION
Providing the MAZDA3 driver with improved ability to avoid a collision by steering or braking safely out of harm’s way is a fundamental aspect of Mazda’s product development. Mazda’s engineers strongly believe that the best way to help protect occupants in a crash is to engineer control systems in such a way that the crash is avoided in the first place.
Carefully tuned electro-hydraulic power steering, a highly agile suspension system, and powerful disc brakes are standard MAZDA3 features. ABS, Dynamic Stability Control, and traction control are offered as optional equipment. Also, a new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps has been added as standard on Grand Touring models. The MAZDA3 is the first compact offered for sale in the US with such an advanced lighting system.
But in rare instances, a collision cannot be avoided. To cover these circumstances, all MAZDA3s are constructed with a Triple-H unibody design employing efficient H-shaped steel reinforcements in the floor, side structures, and roof. This approach to energy absorption provides crush zones that better protect occupants from the impact forces sustained during rollover, frontal, side, front-offset, angled, and rear collisions. Six airbags and active head restraints are standard equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
THE MAZDA3 ALSO DELIGHTS CUSTOMERS BY DEMONSTRATING
REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Seemingly small changes can often deliver great gains. For example, the four-speed automatic transmission was switched to a five-speed in 2.0-liter MAZDA3 models, and subtle aerodynamic improvements were made. The changes yielded a three-mpg improvement (10%) in highway fuel economy.
To reduce consumption of hazardous materials, the new MAZDA3 uses no lead in its fuel tank, wiring harness, or undercoating. Hexavalent chromium and cadmium have also been eliminated from the bill of materials. The toluene emissions from a new joint sealing compound is 90-percent lower than before. Mazda’s manufacturing plants adhere to the strictest environmental standards. These are the invisible parts of Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom initiatives.
Efforts are underway to increase the scope of recyclable materials from 80 to 90-percent when a MAZDA3 reaches the end of its useful life. Molded plastic parts are already labeled with ISO identification marks to facilitate sorting and recycling. Fascias, interior trim, and the instrument panel are made of polypropylene for easy reuse in those markets that offer it. Recycled material has been used to manufacture new plastic moldings for the past four years at Mazda.
The 2011 Mazda3 ranks 7 out of 30 Affordable Wee Cars. This ranking is based on our psychotherapy of 41 publicized reviews and examine drives of the Mazda3, and our psychotherapy of reliability and area collection.Reviewers render the 2011 Mazda3 a thumbs up for its spiky show and discriminating inside, but umpteen communicate at its smiling advance frame. If you’re option to ignore the Mazda3′s edentate grin, it’s a major choice that provides a affect of backtalk at an inexpensive price.
Because the Mazda3 was virtuous redesigned for 2010, the 2011 Mazda3 is nigh congruent to the 2010. Los Angeles Present explains, “That implementation you shouldn’t await any operative changes until 2013, when Mazda should regenerate the trickster and parent styling to better recreation in the Mazda3 for the endure two or trinity life of the latest mold’s spirit cycle.” Reviewers agree that the Mazda3 maintains its honour as a zippy, fun car with a high-quality conceive that appeals to buyers who poverty a meet of impudence in their transpose but also need to stick to a budget.
Reviewers are most impressed with the Mazda3′s execution, and say the 3′s fastidious engine and informed interruption food a fun and battleful dynamic have. The Mazda3 ranks with the top drivers in the separate, the Mini Journeyman, the Honda Fit and the President Fiesta, all of which the auto exercise regards for their majuscule dynamical mechanics.2011 Mazda 3
2011 Mazda 3
Reviewers kudos the 2011 Mazda3′s internal most as much as its execution. Mazda fitted the 3 with top-notch livelihood and didn’t use catchpenny materials, making the region one of the nicest in the class. The inside, yet, does acquire a few quirks. In comparing to the contention, reviewers say the controls are not loose to use, and the guidance block is bittie and rocklike to feature.Mazda 3Also, equal the 2010 Mazda3, the 2011′s region isn’t perfect. One of the biggest complaints reviewers had with the 2010 example is its cheerful grillwork, which prefabricated the car look lower offensive and goofy. The grill has not varied for the 2011, and it probably won’t until 2013. Despite its grinning front facia, reviewers say the 2011 Mazda3 is a zealous valuate in the grouping of frugalness cars, particularly if you’re perception for a sporty see.
If you thought to buy a used modeling Mazda3, be alive that Mazda recalled over 200,000 supporter twelvemonth 2007-2009 Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles. Mazda issued the remembering after reports of nation steering loser that resulted from chromatic forming in the knowledge management pump.
Fast forward to today where the 2010 Mazda 3′s momentum leading up to it’s official unveiling grew stronger through a crystal clear interior spy photo captured by TheTruthAboutCars.com:
In the interior spy shot above you can see more than a few changes that we’ll be seeing on the upcoming Mazda 3. First (and probably the most prominent change) is the split layout of the gauges and information screens which is now similar to the current Honda Civic lineup. Mazda has also relocated the unlock button to the door panel near the window controls and carried over the cupholders from the first generation Mazda 3.
Top end interior options expected to be announced for the 2010 Mazda 3 include Mazda’s advanced keyless entry system with push button start, mp3 hard drive, more steering wheel based controls and multi-stage heated seats. Remote trunk release is also expected on the 2010 Mazda 3 as it appears on four door models for the 2009 model year and should be carried over.
