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Compare, Select and Save Two body styles are offered from the start, again in four-door sedan and five-door hatch guises, which are 90mm and 45mm longer than the respective previous models. Apart from the nose, which loses the grille but gains an oversized air intake shaped like those found on other recent Mazdas, the stylistic form virtually mirrors the old car. Words like “evolve” and “faithful to the previous Mazda3” abound in the press blurb. Mazda says better aerodynamics help quell noise, vibration and harshness issues, while increased suspension rigidity, better placement of vibration-dampening material and beefed-up body and panel rigidity also make the small car quieter. Improved interior quality was another Mazda goal and this manifests itself in the use of soft-grained materials on high-visibility areas such as the top of the dashboard, while the cabin’s join lines are also slimmer. A much more efficient air-conditioner is now fitted, which is good news for Australian buyers. The heat exchanger is 20 per cent larger while the air compressor expands by 50 per cent. Driver comfort levels also rise thanks to a relocated gearshift, redesigned switches, buttons and other controls, a larger (4.1-inch) information display and new technology like hands-free Bluetooth and MP3 capability. Mazda has also standardised newly available satellite navigation in the up-spec Maxx Sport and SP25, meaning that more than 50 per cent of cars sold will feature GPS. A revised 2.0-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine with 108kW of power and 182Nm of torque powers all petrol Mazda3s, bar the sports models. A six-speed manual replaces the old fivespeed, while four gives way to five speeds r Ê N H 12 /13
Down the hatch: Mazda claims the new five-door hatch is quieter than before. Compare, Select and Save in the automatic, which matches the Honda Civic for ratios and now goes one better than most others such as the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza, but still trails the new Volkswagen Golf’s seven-speeder. Using regular unleaded petrol, the manual model’s fuel consumption improves 0.3L/100km to 7.9L/100km, while the auto’s 8.2L/100km is 0.2L/100km lower than before. Also on the descent are the Mazda3’s carbon dioxide emissions, pegged at 193g/km instead of 199g/km. The SP25’s 2.5-litre unit is a twin-cam 16-valve variable-valve powerplant and produces 122kW and 227Nm, up from 115kW and 203Nm in the old SP23’s 2.3-litre engine without losing anything in terms of fuel consumption or emissions. Mazda calls the carryover MacPherson strut and multi-link rear suspension systems “newly evolved”, with widespread modifications and alterations to help achieve an improved balance between handling and ride. The rack-and-pinion steering system is a revised electro-hydraulic set-up to help cut fuel consumption. Turning the wheel now requires less effort and offers more linear control, says Mazda. Brakes are by four-wheel discs with ABS (with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist), supported by the electronic stability control and traction control. Still on safety, dual front airbags, active front head restraints and intrusionmitigating brake and clutch pedals are fitted to all cars, but front-side and tworow curtain airbags cost $500 extra on the base Neo. The company believes that at least 10 per cent of buyers will opt for the Neo’s Safety Pack. Mazda is aiming to sell 30,000 BL Mazda3s a year, with the Neo accounting for 35 per cent, followed by the Maxx Sport (30 per cent), SP25 (25 per cent) and Maxx (10 per cent). The sedan will account for around 55 per cent of volume (down from 70 per cent for the previous model), while 45 per cent of all Mazda3s are expected to be manual. MOTOR www.goautomedia.com r H 4 13 /13 Ê N media Our market is: ü People who buy cars ü People who make cars ü People who sell cars ü People who love cars
Page 1 and 2: Issue 1 ● May 2009 MOTOR MONTHLY
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Page 11: By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS ARGUABLY the

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