THE Mazda3 recently added a number of enhancements that makes it an even more attractive proposition to customers.
“When designing the Mazda3, engineers sought to enhance comfort in a way that would enable the driver and passengers to enjoy the ride in various driving conditions. They also wanted the car to be fun to drive with precision handling,” says Doreen Mashinini, Mazda Marketing Manager.
In addition to its strong emotional appeal and a long list of equipment the Mazda3 is frugal, fun-to-drive and easy to operate. It has a powertrain line-up that incorporates four engine options, with a choice of five or six-speed manual transmissions.
“The Mazda3 has already proven itself as a reliable offering, having recently received the Synovate 2011 Gold award for product quality. This facelift is an evolution of a tried and trusted package and is sure to make the Mazda3 even more appealing to South African buyers,” adds Mashinini.
Styling
The Mazda3 boasts a redesigned front end that not only adds to the overall styling of the car but ensures aerodynamic benefits. The changes give the exterior a welltoned muscular appearance that underscores the car’s solid build quality. This focus was carried through to the inside, where new materials and colours enhance the quality feel, while the optimized ergonomics make the Mazda3 easier to use.
The Mazda3’s friendly yet sporty front face with large 5-point grille has been updated to create a richer and more stylish impression. The corners of the front bumper now have a larger fascia around the air-inlets, new round fog lights embedded in their lower sections, and a lower front lip that protrudes outwards more than before. These changes not only give the Mazda3 a more assertive and emotionally appealing look, they function to improve aerodynamic performance as well.
The insightful combination of design and functionality continues through to the inside of the Mazda3, with updates intended to create a more stylish interior that is also functional and easier to use.
Comfort and stability
The enhanced Mazda3 carries forth its reputation for agility and manoeuvrability by introducing new features that improve ride quality and handling stability. The result is a model that is more fun and predictable to drive on a daily basis. Mazda3’s safety package is further enhanced with individual models now receiving Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard features.
Engineers optimised handling and ride comfort further by ensuring a consistent and linear feel while driving. A new single brace bar that is made of stronger and more rigid reinforcement material is added to the front of the body, it delivers not only more rigidity, but a more refined handling stability.
To increase ride comfort, changes were made to Mazda3’s front MacPherson strut and rear multi- link suspension system and its electric-hydraulic power assisted (EHPAS) system. Mazda3’s EHPAS system was updated with new pump-flow settings and stiffer wheels were introduced. When combined with the more rigid body and optimized dampers, these contribute to better steering feedback and road feel.
A major contributor to handling stability of the Mazda3 is its new aerodynamic updates including a new aerodynamically- optimized front bumper.
Also contributing to increased ride comfort is an improvement in NVH performance. Pressure within the cabin increases as the body shell around the cabin flexes and moves, which amplifies interior noise. To lower this, engineers introduced a new B-frame beneath the floor that is 0.7 mm thicker than before and has a reinforced joining area with more spot welds, which helps lower cabin deformation, with increased floor damping material, which reduces road noise and makes the Mazda3 cabin even quieter.
Competitive range
Mazda’s MZR engine family is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced forms of fuelefficient, high-energy propulsion. The MZR 1.6-litre inline 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine produces a maximum torque peak of 145Nm at 4 000rpm and maximum power output of 77kW at 6 000rpm. The MZR 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine produces a maximum torque peak of 187Nm at 4 000rpm and maximum power output of 110kW at 6 500rpm. The MZR 2.5-litre inline 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine produces a maximum torque peak of 227Nm at 4 000rpm and maximum power output of 122kW at 6 000rpm.
There are four specification levels in the Mazda3 range. The Original marks the entry into the range followed by the Active and Dynamic models with the Individual topping the line-up.
The Mazda3 offers 15 000 km service intervals, an impressive four-year/120 000 km fully comprehensive manufacturer warranty, as well as the MazdaMotion five-year/90 000 km service plan. A three-year roadside assistance plan comes standard with the purchase of any Mazda vehicle.
– Words and images: www.quickpic.co.za
