The Mazda3 may not be too familiar a sight in the UK, but since its launch in 2003, Mazda has sold over 222,000 examples of its small family-sized car in Europe and a million or so worldwide - it's even been a best-seller in Canada.
A Hiroshima-built sister model to the latest Ford Focus - which it pre-dated - and sharing much of its underpinnings with the Volvo S40 and V50, it's the first of this 'family' of Ford-empire models to receive an update and general overhaul. This hasn't been exactly extensive, but even if the minor tweaks are less than headline-worthy, checking out these latest models does at least serve to remind that the often-overlooked 3 was never a bad car in the first place.
The visual changes are limited to a slight redesign of the bonnet and front bumpers, black lamp bezels and repositioned rear bumper reflectors - and you'd have to do a pretty careful compare-and-contrast with the outgoing model to even notice these. There are seven new paint colours to choose from, however, and new alloy wheel designs.
As before, five-door hatchback and four-door saloon versions are on offer, though most customers will, as before, opt for the hatch. But don't dismiss the exterior remodelling as purely cosmetic: improvements to aerodynamics have led to fuel consumption gains of up to 6% compared to the outgoing 3s.
The interior has a few more noteworthy updates, too, with new seat fabrics, a new instrument panel and fascia (plain, black and anonymous, but easy to read and modern-looking) and a choice of black or grey finish, depending on spec level.
The real news, however, is about the engineering: modifications have been made to enhance refinement and some of the engines on offer have been revised.
Aided by new wheel/tyre combinations, noise intrusion into the cabin is down, thanks also to more insulation under the bonnet, a quieter fan, better cabin sound-proofing, increased chassis rigidity and reduced vibration from the suspension. The 3 was never a noisy bone-shaker anyway, but now it makes for a particularly comfortable motorway cruiser.
Topping the range - at least until the launch of the 250bhp Mazda3 MPS, on sale early next year - is the 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has gained sequential valve timing and an electronic throttle, as well as a new six-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption shows a useful improvement - now up to 35.8mpg - and in-gear acceleration is stronger - although the 2.0 isn't quite in hot hatch territory, and has a relatively comfort-oriented suspension set-up compared to, say, the Focus ST, it's certainly quick enough.
Maybe it's familiarity with the technology, or improvements in the technology itself, but the advent of the electronic throttle is imperceptible; when these started to replace traditional hydraulic set-ups, the fashionable criticism was that they felt dead or inert under-foot, with a slight delay between press-down and response, but this isn't a noticeable issue in the Mazda 3. It's sharp off the mark and flexible throughout the rev range, remaining quiet and cultured under most normal demands.
At the other end of the line-up, the 1.4-litre petrol engine (84bhp) has a modified version of its sequential valve timing, with torque (pulling power) stronger at low- and mid- engine speeds; fuel consumption is now 42.2 mpg. Besides this decent economy, it's not a bad drive, either: it calls for frequent down-shifts to keep up pace when climbing steep, twisty hills, but otherwise, it's a perfectly adequate performer and lively enough to suit most potential buyers.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine (105bhp and 40.9mpg) remains unchanged, as do the 1.6-litre diesels (90bhp and 109bhp, and now 60.1mpg and 58.9mpg, respectively). The latter are an extremely pleasant drive, but given their higher pricing, you'd have to do a high mileage to recoup the extra outlay, and it's no surprise that the 1.6 petrol remains the best-selling version in the range.
The only surprise that remains is that the Mazda3 - whatever the engine choice - doesn't sell in greater numbers here in the UK. It's not that the car is undistinguished to look at or to drive - it's much more individual-looking than the old 323 and, given that it is so mechanically similar to the perennially excellent Ford Focus, it's no dullard to drive. It's got a slightly smarter, more upmarket image than the Focus, too, even if that is largely down to its comparative exclusivity, but it just hasn't crossed over into the mainstream as an option for younger, more sports-focused drivers.
Mazda is hoping, however, that the upcoming MPS will work for it in the same way that the Type-R has for Honda's Civic, drawing in a whole new demographic to its hatchback range, establishing its credentials as more than just a maker of reliable, dependable but uninspiring family cars and dispelling the notion that there are only a couple of models in the Mazda range - the MX-5 and RX-8 - that are of any interest to enthusiasts.
On the evidence of these revised 3s driven so far, the MPS stands a good chance of doing just that.
source:http://www.channel4.com/4car/feature/feature.jsp?id=2514&page=1
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