| Mazda Mazda3 |
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| mazda vehicles | |
| axela | |
| compact cars | |
| hatchbacks | |
| sedans | |
| station wagons | |
| ford c1 platform | |
| front wheel drive vehicles | |
| 2000s automobiles | |
| 2003 introductions | |
The Mazda3 is a Compact Car manufactured by the Mazda Motor Corporation . The name "Mazda3" is used worldwide, but in Japan , Mazda's home market, it is the '''Axela'''. The Axela was introduced for the 2004 model year, replacing the Mazda Familia (323 or Protegé in export markets). The first car rolled off the Assembly Line on December 8 , 2003 . The Mazda3 is also the platform for the Sport Compact car called the Mazdaspeed 3 . The Mazda3 has been very well-received in all markets. In 2006 the 3 was the second best-selling car in Canada and the best selling car in Israel during 2005-2007. Mazda is increasing production of the 3 at its Hofu 1 And 2 factories to meet heavy worldwide demand of over 300,000 units per year. DESIGN The 3 is based on Ford's global C1 Platform , which was developed by Volvo and is shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40 . Chassis development was carried out by Mazda and suspension designed by Ford. Based on the styling of the MX-Sportif Concept Car , the Axela is available in two body styles, a four-door Sedan , marketed as "coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door Hatchback , branded the Sport version in Canada, Japan, and the United States . Front suspension is by MacPherson Strut s, with Coil Spring s and an Anti-roll Bar . Rear suspension is a Ford-designed "E-link" Multi-link Suspension , with four locating links per wheel and an anti-roll bar, suspended on coil springs that are mounted inboard of the Shock Absorbers to reduce suspension intrusion into the cargo area. Disc Brakes are standard at all four wheels, with 300 mm (11.8 in) discs front and 279 mm (11 in) discs rear; ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution are available or standard, depending on the model. Wheel and tire sizes vary with model, from 15 in on base models to option 17 in wheels on upper-level models. When first introduced, USDM Mazda3 models were available in only two trim levels, i and s, with the 2.0 L and 2.3 L engines, respectively. Since then Mazda has introduced a proliferation of additional models under the Touring and Grand Touring labels. UK Mazda3s are offered in S, TS, TS2, and Sport models. All 3 models except the European Diesel -powered model use the Inline-4 Mazda MZR Engine , with various displacements and outputs depending on model and market. Transmissions are a five-speed Manual Transmission and a four-speed Automatic Transmission ; for the 2006 model year, a five-speed automatic became optional on models with the 2.3 L engine. This transmission has now been made standard on the 2.0 L engine in Japan (FWD models only), as part of a minor facelift which includes different front/rear bumper designs, new wheel designs and bodycolors, stiffened chassis, and better interior materials. It will be gradually released all over the globe as part of an effort to better match the new Honda Civic . ENGINES The 3 uses the following engines; all except the European Diesel are Mazda MZR Engine s. Japanese market ( JIS ratings):
European market ( DIN ratings):
American & Canadian markets ( SAE net ratings):
Mazda changed the rating for US & Canadian markets 2007 2.3 L naturally aspirated engine :
Philippine market ( DIN ratings):
Australian market ( ADR net ratings):
PERFORMANCE Acceleration The 0 to 60 mph or 0 to 100 km/h acceleration times depend on the type of transmission. In general, the manual transmission is faster in acceleration (not just because it is lighter in weight, but for the relative inefficiency of the Torque Converter in the automatic compared to the Clutch in the manual). Official performance figures for the European Mazda3 1.4 S, the lowest-powered model, are 0-100 km/h in 14.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). Wheels magazine reported a 8.7 0-100km/h time for the Australian 2.0 model in its May 2004 issue. The 1.6 CiTD 80 KW (as sold in the Europe) with a five-speed manual does 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds and has top of 182 km/h (113 mph) according to the spec's. In its test results for the 2004 Mazda3 5-door with the 2.3 litre engine, ''Car and Driver'' magazine reported a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of 7.4 seconds and a governor-limited top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph). MAZDASPEED3/MAZDA3 MPS See Also: Mazdaspeed 3 Mazda unveiled the Mazda3 MPS at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in February. The same model will be sold in North America as the '''Mazdaspeed3''' and as the '''Mazdaspeed Axela''' in Japan. Pricing starts at US$ 22,835 (including destination) and it competes with the latest generation of Hot Hatch es and Sport Compact s, including the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 , Dodge Neon SRT-4, Subaru WRX (standard 230hp version), and the new Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit GTI . The car is powered by a strengthened and turbocharged version of the standard 2.3L DISI MZR 4 cylinder (263hp, 280ft-lbs), backed by a 6 speed manual transmission featuring a Tochigi-Fuji Super LSD borrowed from the RX-8. Brakes are upgraded to 12.8 inch rotors with single piston calipers. Wheels are upgraded to 18 inch cast alloy wheels wrapped in 215/40-R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A max performance tires. Unofficial performance figures (magazine tests) average 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and standing quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 100mph. The car features torque limiting in first and second gear (to help deter the inevitable wheel spin in a FWD car with this much torque). Also features DSC (dynamic stability control) and ABS. In some models of the Mazda 3 (MAZDASPEED3 and MPS vehicles produced from June 28, 2006 through May 19, 2007) a design or manufacturing defect in the engine mount situated under the battery holder has been identified which can result in engine failure. A recall notice has been issued in the USA and Japan. 2006 MODEL CHANGES For 2006, variable valve timing and variable-length intake runners are added to the 2.0 L engine, power increases to 150 bhp; a five-speed automatic transmission is available on models with the 2.3 L engine. Additionally, the larger engine is PZEV-certified (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) for vehicles sold in California state and other states that adopt such emission standard. The 2.0 L engine is already PZEV-certified for vehicles available in markets adopting the California emission standard. 2007 MODEL CHANGES The 3 received a minor cosmetic facelift for the 2007 model year. The exterior changes are minimal, but extend to revised bumpers with the lower air intake opening resembling the shape of the traditional Mazda five-point face, a revised range of alloy wheels and several new interior colour combinations. The interior also has an audio jack and an improved keyless entry system. The 2007 model also include less visible changes. Reinforcements to the body shell improve overall chassis rigidity. The front dampers of the MacPherson strut suspension have been retuned to quicken steering response and reduce understeer, while the dampers of the multi-link rear suspension also have been retuned to match. The front fasica has been updated with a "floating" foglight design and slightly revised front grill for the "s" trim level. Also, for the 2007 "grand touring" trim level, the rear tail-lights have been enhanced with a "clear on clear" lens setting or a more "glass-like" appearance with the clear tail lenses also featuring red LED brake lights. The LED brake lights are added to compete with the growing trend of higher-end vehicles that include LED tail lamps for a more visible and responsive light output. Several new exterior colors are added as well, including different shades of blue and a purple color. The popular Titanium Gray color will also be replaced with a darker Galaxy Gray color. The bumper-to-bumper warranty will be reduced to 36 months / 36,000 miles, but there will be an increased powertrain warranty to 60 months / 60,000 miles (not in all markets). This is on par with other competitive manufacturers' warranty offerings. In Canada, seat mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard across the board where they are unavailbale in previous model years. Owners of Mazda3 models from 2004 to 2007 have run into security problems after it became known that the cars are easy to break into. Apparently a flaw with the locking mechanism means a well-placed "bump" or hit on the vehicle - one that may not even leave a dent - will cause the vehicle to unlock. After Mazda began receiving inquiries from Mazda3 owners, the company offered a free "counter measure" - basically a metal reinforcement plate - to be installed in the vehicle to bolster it against break-in. Critics argue the counter measure only means potential break-in artists will have to hit the vehicle harder in order to trigger the flaw in the lock mechanism. Other Mazda vehicles have proven ''not'' to be suceptible to this tactic. 2009 The 3 is reported to be up for a redesign for the 2009 model year.1 REFERENCES
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