Cars - Mazda Mazda3

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	Cars - Mazda Mazda3

The Mazda3 is a compact automobile manufactured by the Mazda Motor Corporation. The name "Mazda3" is used only in non-Japanese markets; at home, the model is called the Axela. The Mazda3 was introduced for the 2004 model year, replacing the Mazda Protegé. The first car rolled off the assembly line on December 8, 2003.

The Mazda3 has been very well-received in all markets, and in 2004 was the third best-selling car in Canada. Mazda is increasing production of the Axela/Mazda3 at its Hofu 1 and 2 factories to meet heavy worldwide demand of over 300,000 units per year.

Design

The Mazda3/Axela is based on Ford's global C1 Platform, which was developed by Volvo and which 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 Mazda3/Axela is available in two body style, a four-door sedan, marketed as "coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door hatchback, branded the Sport version in America and Japan.

Front suspension is by MacPherson struts, with coil springs 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 (381 mm) on base models to option 17 in (432 mm) wheels on upper-level models.

When first introduced U.S. 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 Mazda3 and Axela models except the European diesel model use the inline-4 Mazda MZR engine, with various displacements and outputs depending on model and market. Transmissions are a 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission; for the 2006 model year, a 5-speed automatic became optional on models with the 2.3 L (137 cu. in.) engine.

Specifications

Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive
Seating capacity: five
Overall length:
* Sedan: 453 cm (178.3 in)
* Hatchback: 449 cm (176.6 in)
Wheelbase: 264 cm (103.9 in)
Overall width: 170 cm (69.1 in)
Track, f/r: 153 cm (60.2 in) / 151.3 cm (59.6 in)
Turning circle: 10.4 m (34.1 ft)
Overall height: 146.5 cm (57.7 in)
Curb weight: 1180-1315 kg (2,600 to 2,900 lb)

Engines

The Mazda3/Axela uses the following engines; all except the European diesel are Mazda MZR engines.

Japanese market (JIS ratings):

1.5 L (91.8 cu. in.): 113 bhp (83 kW), 104 lbf·ft (141 N·m)
2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 150 bhp (112 kW), 140 lbf·ft (190 N·m)
2.3 L (137 cu. in.): 178 bhp (133 kW), 155 lbf·ft (210 N·m)

European market (DIN ratings):

1.4 L (82.6 cu. in.): 83 bhp (62 kW), 90 lbf·ft (122 N·m)
1.6 L (98 cu. in.): 104 bhp (78 kW), 107 lbf·ft (145 N·m)
2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 148 bhp (110 kW) and 138 lbf·ft (187 N·m)
1.6 L (98 cu. in.) Duratorq diesel, 108 bhp (80 kW), 177 lbf·ft (239 N·m)

U.S. market (SAE net ratings):

2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 148 bhp (110 kW), 135 lbf·ft (183 N·m)
2.3 L (137 cu. in.): 160 bhp (119 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)

Performance

Official performance figures for the European Mazda3 1.4 S, the lowest-powered model, are 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 14.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). Figures for the 2.0 Sport are 9 seconds 0-100 km/h with a top speed of 198 km/h (124 mph). Reviews of U.S.-spec models with the 2.3 L engine and manual transmission quote 0-60 mph times of between 7.4 and 8.0 seconds; U.S. models are electronically limited to a maximum speed of 118 mph (189 km/h).

Mazdaspeed3/Mazda3 MPS

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 Axela MPS in Japan.

The performance model features a slightly detuned version of the 2.3 L DISI MZR engine from the Mazda6 MPS/Mazdaspeed 6. For the 3, it produces 246 hp (184 kW) and 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m), and this is routed through the front wheels rather than an all wheel drive system as on its big brother. A limited slip differential is standard, along with a 6-speed manual transmission.

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