Mazda Mazda3
Mazda Motor Corporation assembles the Mazda3, an automobile model (known in Japan as the Axela), and offers it to the public under the Mazda brand.
The Mazda3 is all-new and replaces the Protege for 2004. The Mazda3 styling is based on the MX-Sportif concept car and is powered by either a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter or 160-horsepower 2.3-liter MZR engine. The car is based on Ford's global Ford C1 Platform, which is shared with the new Ford Focus and Volvo S40.
The Mazda3 has been very well-received in all markets, and as of 2004 was the 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.
The Mazda3 comes as a front-drive sedan in $13,680 "i" trim and in higher-line $16,405 "s" trim. It is also sold as a versatile $16,895 "s" 5-door hatchback.
The "i" sedan has a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and the "s" sedan adds a quieter, larger 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that has more torque.
The 2-liter engine delivers an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway with the manual and 26 and 34 with the automatic. Figures for the larger 2.3 liter engine are 25 and 32 with the manual and 24 and 29 with the automatic.
Both trim levels with the stronger engine add such items as air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver's seat and power windows, door locks and mirrors.
Wheel size for the s sedan moves up to a 16 inche tire, and its 55-series tires are wider for crisper handling. The hatchback gets even larger 17 inch wheels and wider (50-series) tires.
References
- http://www.mazda.com/publicity/axela/
- http://www.mazdausa.com/
