Mazda3
The Mazda3 is a compact car manufactured by Mazda since 2003 over four generations. The body styles have been a 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan across all generations. It was sold as the Mazda Axela in China and Japan until 2019.
The first generation was produced in Japan from June 2003 until November 2008 and replaced the Familia as Mazda's C-segment model. It was sold in North America for the 2004-2009 model years. It was also produced in Colombia from 2004 until 2014, in Iran from 2006 until 2010, and in China from 2007 until 2013.
The second-generation Mazda3 for the 2009 model year was unveiled in late 2008, with the sedan premiering at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show. For the 2012 model year, Mazda began offering the Mazda3 with their newly developed Skyactiv technology, including a more rigid body, a new direct-injection engine, and a new 6-speed transmission.
The third generation was introduced in mid-2013 for the 2014 model year. The third-generation model is the first Mazda3 to adopt the "Kodo" design language and a more complete Skyactiv range of technologies and the first to be made by Mazda independently.
The fourth-generation Mazda3 for the 2019 model year was unveiled in November 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For the 2019 model, the all-new Mazda3 is equipped with the updated Skyactiv technologies, including a spark-controlled compression ignition engine marketed as the Skyactiv-X.
A performance-oriented version of the Mazda3 was marketed until 2013 as the Mazdaspeed3 in North America, Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan, and the Mazda3 MPS in Europe and Australia.
The Mazda3 became one of Mazda's fastest-selling vehicles, with cumulative sales in January 2019 of over 6 million units.
First generation (BK; 2003)
The BK series Mazda3 was first unveiled at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show on 10 September 2003, and launched in Japan in October 2003 as the Axela. The model was well received by the automotive press for its performance, handling, styling and interior, with some describing it as feeling like a more expensive sports sedan/saloon despite its value-oriented price. Some criticisms have included fuel economy and crash test results the latter of which was rectified by making six airbags standard. In 2006, the Mazda3 was the second best-selling car in Canada and the best selling car in Israel during 2005–2007.Design
The Mazda3 is based on the Ford global C1 platform, shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Previewed by the MX-Sportif concept car, the first-generation Mazda3 was available in two body styles, a four-door fastback sedan/saloon, marketed as a "4-door coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door hatchback, branded the Sport version in Canada, Japan, and the United States. Design work began under chief designer Hideki Suzuki in 1999 at three Mazda design centres in California, United States; Frankfurt, Germany; and Hiroshima, Japan. By 2001, Hasip Girgin's design was chosen as a finalist. Girgin was sent to work in Hiroshima for 6 months, after which the final design was frozen for scheduled 2003 production.The front suspension comprises MacPherson struts, with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. The 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. The first generation Mazda3 has been known to have spontaneous piston failure in the form of the piston itself cracking which is a result of manufacturing anomalies that has plagued a small percentage of the normally reliable car. Four-wheel Disc brakes are fitted, with discs in the front and discs in the rear; ABS and electronic brake force distribution are available as standard, depending on the model. Wheel and tire sizes vary with model, from 15-inch on base models to optional 17-inch wheels on upper-level models. The Mazda3 was used as a regular police patrol car by the Public Security Police Force of Macau alongside the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic police cars in Macau, China.
When first introduced, United States-market 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 additional models under the Touring and Grand Touring labels. British Mazda3s are offered in S, TS, TS2, Sport, and a top end 2.3 L turbocharged Mazda3 MPS models. Since April 2008, when there was a mainly cosmetic facelift of the Mazda3, there have been some changes to the trim designations for UK cars, with the models became the entry-level S, then Takara, the Tamura Special Edition and the Sport and MPS as before.
All three models use the inline-4 Mazda MZR engine, with various types, displacements and outputs including the MZ-CD turbo-diesel, depending on model and market. Transmissions are a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission; since the 2006 model year, a five-speed automatic is optional on models with the 2.3 L engine. This transmission became standard on the 2.0 L engine in Japan, as part of a minor facelift in early 2008 which includes different front/rear bumper designs, new wheel designs and body colours, stiffened chassis, and better interior materials. The MPS / Mazdaspeed version is only available with a six-speed manual.
Philippines
In the Philippines, the BK3 replaced the 323 in 2004. There are three trim levels, "1.6S", "1.6V and " 2.0R". The "1.6V" is powered by Mazda's 1.6L inline-four engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission respectively. It came with four speakers and 6 CD audio system, central locking among other features. The top spec "2.0R" is powered by Mazda's 2.0L MZR engine mated to a 4 speed automatic transmission with activematic. It came with side skirts, sunroof, remote keyless entry, immobilizer and leather interior.In 2007, the entry level "1.6S" received a minor update. Updates includes new gauge clusters, cloth seats and door linings, MP3 ready sound system, and a redesigned grill.
Australia
In Australia, the BK 3 replaced the 323 in January 2004. The original iteration came in several guises, "Neo", "Maxx", "Maxx Sport" and "SP23". The base "Neo" guise came with remote central locking, a four speaker sound system with a CD player among other features. Building upon the Neo, the "Maxx" offered power windows and mirrors, alloy wheels, remote keyless central locking, six speakers and an in-dash sound system. The "Maxx Sport" added primarily cosmetic features, with that including a body kit, front fog lamps and larger alloy wheels. The "SP23" gained a larger engine as well as other smaller luxury features.In July 2006, Mazda introduced its Series II 3. Updates included refreshed front and rear light fixtures, as well updated alloy wheels and a new fog light configuration. A high performance "MPS" hatch was introduced into the lineup within this update.
The 3 continuously sold well throughout the BK generation, reaching 4th in Australian sales within 2006. The following table lists sales throughout its tenancy.
Engines
The Mazda3 features the following engines:Japanese market :
- 1.5 L:,
- 2.0 L:,
- 2.3 L:,
- 2.3 L MZR DISI Turbo:,
- 1.4 L:,
- 1.6 L:,
- 2.0 L:,
- 2.3 L MZR DISI Turbo:,
- 1.6 L MZ-CD common-rail diesel:,
- 2.0 L MZR-CD common-rail diesel:,
- 2.2 L MZR-CD common-rail diesel:,
- 2.0 L:, PZEV engine: , ;
- 2.3 L:, PZEV engine:,
- 2.3 L MZR DISI Turbo: Mazdaspeed3:,
- 2.3 L:, PZEV engine:,
- 1.6 L:, 107 lbf·ft
- 2.0 L: and 138 lbf·ft
- 2.0 L:, 134 lbf·ft
- 2.3 L:, 150 lbf·ft
- 2.3 L: DISI MZR:, 280 lbf·ft
- 2.0 L MZR-CD common-rail diesel:,
- 1.6 L:, 108 lbf·ft
- 2.0 L:, 134 lbf·ft
- 2.3 L:, 150 lbf·ft
- 2.3 L: DISI MZR:, 280 lbf·ft
Performance
The 1.6 CiTD 80 kW diesel with a five-speed manual does in 11.6 seconds and has a top speed of according to the official Mazda specifications.
In test results for the 2012 Mazda3 Maxx Sport five-door 2.0-litre engine, it has been reported as having a acceleration time of 9.2 seconds and a top speed of.
In its test results for the 2004 Mazda3 five-door with the 2.3-litre engine, Car and Driver magazine reported a acceleration time of 7.4 seconds and a governor-limited top speed of.
Car and Driver documented the acceleration of a 2007 Mazda3 four-door sedan. Equipped with a 2.3-litre engine and 5-speed manual transmission, the Mazda3 has a 0 time of 7.3 seconds and completes the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at.
The fuel consumption of these models averages in the, with the 2-litre 2008 Mazda3 automatic-transmission model scoring a / city/highway United States Environmental Protection Agency rating.