Mazda3 Hatchback

dinu01

Click on "zur Galerie"

http://www.autobild.de/test/neuwagen/artikel.php?artikel_id=4982&- amp;artikel_seite=2&A_SESS=c821050a7984b72505c247e0903bd9b6#

The red sedan looks good!

Dinu

fowler3

web site for advance photos of the Mazda3 5-door
and Mazda Design's sketches of the Kusabi 3-door.

http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/frankfurt/preview/maz- da-3/index.html

fowler3

bluong1

I think it's the design sketches of the Mazda3 hatch and not the Kusabi.

I have seen also the sketches of the sedan and more than 60 pictues of the production version of the hatch!

groovypippin

Go to the Geneva mainpage on that site and you will find the Kusabi renderings that Fowler is referring to.

bluong1

PS: I guess you mean Frankfurt instead of Geneva.

fowler3

page is what I linked to. It's on cardesignnews.com, the car designers' web site.

here is the short link.

http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2003/frankfurt/

Hope this works, they show about 12 cars being introduced. While there check out the new Peugeot, now there's a beautiful two-door sedan!!

fowler3

mazdafun

Too bad VW has such poor reliability history.

Anyone else think that Nissan's new front-grille styling reminds them of '80s vintage Oldsmobile sedans? I kept thinking that I'd seen that motif before, then it struck me that they looked a lot like the grilles on my mom's Cutlass Supreme, the Olds Omega etc.

fowler3

They seem to rehash a lot of older designs lately. The taillamps on the new BMW 5 series looks very much like the taillamps on the Mazda Millenia, red on top with a wide clear band on bottom for the turn signal and backup lights. They look too subdued for an expensive car.

The grille on the 2004 Nissan Sentra is a small version of the Maxima's grille. Nissan didn't redesign the Sentra totally, just a facelift.

Have you noticed the number of cars with taillamps similar in shape to those used on the Protegés? Large red shapes flanking the trunk lid with minor variations for turn signal and backup lamps. Toyota Camry is one, the Kia sedan, and the Taurus for example.

I like grilles on cars, some people do not. What I don't care for are faked grilles, they look like a cheap cop-out. The Mazda6, Protegés, and many others have the faked ones. The edge of the hood makes the top, extensions on the bumper facia make the sides and bottom. Then they stick a plastic mesh behind it and tack on the logo. The new Mazda3 models have been changed so they have a real grille - especially with the Sports grille. The break is in the middle.

fowler3

mazdafun

I just wish they'd drop bad stuff, like chartruese, orange (on anything but fruit).

bluong1

http://www.lequotidienauto.com/mag/030901/mazda3/default.asp

Some highlight:

Due to a firm suspension with good damping, the Mazda3 is fun to drive, and behaves with serenity even on the wet surface. The ABS brake with EBD is suitable for the task as one could expect.

The hydraulic steering system on the 1.6l [ engine sensitive ] is firm and well calibrated with good road feeling. The 2.0l has an electro-hydrolic assistance system isn't necessary better than the that of the 1.6l, but still behaves more consistent than the Renault Megane.

The car seems to be compact but it's indeed as large as the Peugeot 307 SW. Interior room is in progress, especially legs rooms and head room. However the hatch is just about 300 dm^3.

Interior, the quality of materials, fits & finish, and assembly quality are good.

Pro: performance, efficient handling, nice presentation.

Con: weak torque at low RPM (2.0l), lost motricity too early, engine sonority is prominent for some.

Bruno

revka

Thanks for the link and translation.
 
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

bluong1

http://groups.msn.com/BrunoLuong/mazda3.msnw

Bruno

mazdafun

dinu01

I am impressed at how much torque these 2 engines have from such a small displacement.

I wonder what the 2.3L graph will look like.

Dinu

dinu01

The link: http://www.topgear.com/servlet/tg?DEST=/content/jsp/individualRoadTest.jsp&EVENT=1010&MAKE=Mazda:C6&MODEL=3:XY&roadTestNumber=01.html

Dinu

ateixeira

Funny how it's flat from 2500-3000, they must have tuned that in.

-juice

bluong1

The FSD engine shows the same kind of hump, could it be due to the variable air intake system (VIS)?

bluong1

I wonder what the 2.3L graph will look like

Good question. I wonder Mazda would ever publish the torque curve for the NA 2.3l for Mazda3. I'm a little bit confused by this engine. Though we have an old graph of the 2.3l for the Mazda Atenza (japanese Mazda6) that gives no less than 178 hp at the time where the 6 has been launched worldwide. Since then the horsepower of the 2.3l engine has been reviewed to the lower side. 166hp for Europe and 160hp for US (which has the lowest compression ratio of all versions.)

Bruno

ateixeira

Probably meant for the wild variations in fuel quality found in this country.

-juice

wongpres

The hp & torque graphs on the Mazda Atenza website are correct for the most part (all manufacturers' published graphs are at the very optimal anyways).

The exact hp numbers are different for each market because of different PCM tuning (to account for fuel quality and emissions). For example, this is why the RX-8 hp figures have officially been revised for N. America only.

Anyways, to view the 2.3l graphs:

- goto http://www.atenza.mazda.co.jp/sport/driving01.html
- there are 2 rows of tabs around the middle of the screen, click the middle tab on the top row
- beneath the image of the engine, there's a link to view the hp & torque curves

bluong1

The exact hp numbers are different for each market because of different PCM tuning (to account for fuel quality and emissions).

Are PCMs the only difference among engines for different markets? I have noticed that the compression ratio of NA engines is almost lower than the rest of the world. I have asked this question since many moons and yet nobody can give a clear answer.

wongpres

Yeah, you're right, there's often more than just PCM. There's things like compression ratio like you say, and also physical hardware changes (e.g. for various emissions standards). I was just generalizing a bit too much there.

I've read that the compression ratio is because of N. America's crappy gas quality.

But what I was trying to get across is that all hp & torque curves are not exact. What I look at is the shape of the curves (mainly torque) to determine whether or not it suits my driving style. And in that context, now that you've posted the 1.6l and 2.0l graphs (thanks for hosting all the Mazda3 pics actually), one can compare it with the 2.3l on the Atenza website.

dinu01

And if you can read Dutch or at least make sense of it: http://autoweek.nl/

Enjoy!

Dinu

dinu01

I say the HB badly needs a rear wing high on the roof as the P5 has it - more like a high lip spoiler.

Dinu

dinu01

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/4car/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=231_2&re- viewid=821

SUMMARY:
For: Taut, responsive handling, lively engines, nicely built out of well-fitting components

Against: Slightly overworked styling, road and suspension noise, not as roomy as it looks, obvious signs of cosmetic cost-cutting

Sum-up: Shows the dynamic promise of Ford's new Focus platform, but not quite an object of desire.

bluong1

I upload the pictures of some interior details here:
http://groups.msn.com/BrunoLuong/mazda3.msnw?Page=2

Don't forget to read the comments on the top of the photo. Sorry, the scan quality is rather poor.

dinu01

Way to go!!!

I REALLY like the centre console (very versatile) and the cupholders' location is not obtrusive! Nicely done Mazda!

What mag is this? I like their presentation and comments -> for the trunk: "on s'arrange" Not bad!

Dinu

bluong1

Yup, I agree, the center console and cupholders are pretty neat. The pictures are from the review by Auto Plus.

dinu01

belongs to the red HB in #783?

Dinu

bluong1

mazdafun

Using half-height cases, that is. Yes, I still use CDs, even with my iPod. I could stick my iPod in the upper tray. I guess we know where they used the extra width.

Lots of cars have seatback pockets only on the passenger side. Cost savings mostly.

zaimon

Great pictures! The Center Console reminds me of the A4's. Thanks.

bluong1

All,

I have converted the Mazda3 Press Release (text only) in several html pages. Please go to: http://groups.msn.com/BrunoLuong/ Then click on the "Introduction" and successive icons on the left side.

Hope it works. Enjoy,

Bruno

ateixeira

Cool pics.

They chose a really nice silver color, hints of blue in it. Silver can be boring but they nailed it.

In one pic, that blue 5 door almost looks PT Cruiser-ish, with the bulging hood. Almost.

I like the muscular shoulders on it. Only concern is the blind spot - it could be big.

-juice

smasher

...the sedan is aimed squarely at the Jetta. Very similar proportions and overall shape, similar design gestalt (especially the interior), but still distinctly Mazda. Very, very well done, and a great alternative to the boring stuff the other Japanese manufacturers are building these days (Civic, Corolla/Matrix, Sentra, Lancer, etc.). It really stands out.

frogpond

i can understand replacing the Pro but the 5? The Pro5 is not that old(2-3yrs?). Seems odd and very costly for such a short run on a car. Don't get me wrong the 3 looks awsome especially from the pics at mazda's website. Hmmm...trade in my 03 Golf for a 3 hatch? I don't think I could with the 45mpg mileage I get...maybe I'll own both.

boggse

It has been around just as long as the 3rd gen. sedan, just not in North America.

bluong1

The Beige interior can be seen, courtesy from Preston, aka wongpres, here:
http://groups.msn.com/BrunoLuong/mazda3.msnw?Page=2

You can also find there two pictures of 2-tone BP5/6 and BP7/8 interiors, courtesy from Jim, aka fowler3.

Cheers,

Bruno

frogpond

Does anyone know what the option packages will be and the released date here in the states? Hopefully a power seat in an option package?

bluong1

The provisional packaging is posted here
http://groups.msn.com/BrunoLuong/ustrimsandprices.msnw

The US release date is expected from end November to mid December.

frogpond

The power option does not say power seat or not.

bluong1

The power option comprises power windows, lock and mirrors.

The power seat is standard in some trims in Europe. You should ask Rich on the Sedan board for the US spec.

icvci

A nice article on Mazda and the 3.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6380

icvci

This is only the section on the 3 but, the entire section on the Frankfurt show is quite nice.

http://edmunds.nytimes.com/news/autoshows/articles/100537/page017- .html

wongpres

Just confirmed, for both US and Canada, all Mazda3 Sport's will come with the sport/gfx package.

mazda6s

The Sport is the 2.3L 5-door, right?

Got any info on standard equipment and options for this trim?

wongpres

Yes, the Sport is the 5-door (Pro5 replacement).

Not much to say about the packaging, standard features similar to the Pro5, and here's a bit more info:

- only 1 trim (so no stripper version)
- only 2.3l available
- options include: moonroof/6CD, leather, HID, NAV, tire-pressure sensors, ABS/side airbags

mazda6s

Oh boy, this is getting interesting. I was gonna get a Mazda6, and was waiting for the hatchback. But a 2.3L Mazda3 Sport might be just as good, and I love the looks and practicality of the 5-door model. Ha, the anti-SUV.

johnclineii

^^^

What he said.

Perzactly.

mazda6s

Anybody wanna venture a guess as to why Mazda is using struts on the front of the Mazda3 instead of the (excellent) double wishbone front end on the Mazda6? I was kinda bummed-out to read that.