Putting a smile on Zoom-zoom

How times have changed in the small car class also known as the Corolla class.

The new 2.5 Litre powered Mazda3 is 350mm longer than the original front-wheel drive 323 and is only 60mm shorter than the original front-wheel-drive Mazda 626, which shows just how large small cars have grown in size and stature.

The new second generation Mazda3 is distinctly different to the old with a completely revamped cabin and all-new exterior sheet metal, which gives the car a distinctly smiley face thanks to the large 5-point grille inset into the front bumper.

What hasn’t changed thankfully from the first generation Mazda3 is the models renowned zoom-zoom ride and handling character.

The Mazda3 was one of the most competent and dynamic small cars in the Corolla segment when launched five years ago, and it’s no surprise that the Hiroshima-based manufacturer decided to carry over that cars suspension with a few modifications to the 2009 model.

Those modifications include widening the anti-roll bars, slight modifications to the front and rear suspension geometry and the steering rack has three rather than two mounting points.

Mazda3 program manager Yoshiyuki Maeda said that the company wanted to improve steering and handling but also to also improve noise as well as reduce vibration and harshness. After a week of running around a mixture of smooth tarmac as well as hot chip sealed roads, we can say that the engineers have succeeded in their goal of improved refinement.

The SP25 Limited handled exceptionally well for a front-wheel-drive car. It was very secure and sure-footed when given the cloven hoof and we never managed to activate the electronic stability program even with some spirited driving.

Wind noise in the Mazda3 is also noticeably absent, no doubt helped by the class-leading aerodynamic drag co-efficient of .029, which adds to the sedans luxury credentials.  

Inside the Mazda3 SP25 Limited we were treated to leather clad seats and a tilt and slide electric glass sunroof, which did rob the car of some headroom but not as badly as some other cars driven in this issue of Company Vehicle.

Mazda’s insistence on using a red instrument panel and those flashing blue lights every time you adjust the volume control is becoming a bit old hat.

However the centrally placed screen which displays the fuel consumption and trip data is nice and large which is great for those of us who are short sighted enough to need glasses when we drive.

The paddle shift gears on steering wheel work well as does the cruise control and other remote audio and menu functions but others have commented that the steering wheel looked unnecessarily busy.

The five-speed automatic allied to the 2.5 Litre MZR engine is responsive and smooth and no matter how hard or gently we drove the car, the fuel consumption never wavered from an average of 10.9L/100km.

Overall the SP25 Limited sedan will appeal to middle management user-choosers who want to downsize to a four-cylinder vehicle that combines luxury and sporting attributes in a compact package.

Specifications:

Body type                  Four-door sedan             

Drive                        Front-wheel-drive  

Engine Type               Inline four-cylinder DOHC           

Engine Capacity          2488cc       

Max power                 122kW @ 6000 rpm

Max torque                227Nm @ 4000 rpm

Fuel Consumption        8.6L/100km

C02 emission              198g/km

0 to 100kph               N/a

Front suspension         McPherson Strut

Rear suspension          Multi-link

Roof Rack                  N/a

ABS Brakes                Yes

Air Bags                    6

ESP                          Yes

Air Conditioning           Climate

Lap/diagonal belts       5

Satellite Navigation      No

Electric seats              No

Burglar Alarm             Yes  

Panic Button               No

Boot release               Yes

Cargo Cover               No

Boot Capacity             400 Litres

Wheel type                17-inch alloy

Spare Tyre                Space-saver

Through Life Cost Report

36 Months 75000km

Price                            $44,285.00

WOF                       $90.00

Registration              $423.68

Servicing to 75k:      $0.00 

Total Tyre cost:        $2,151.04

Residual (31%)         $13,728.35   

Indicative final figure $33,221.37

The Through Life Cost Model is used for illustrative and indicative purposes only. StratCon Partnership Limited and Adrenalin Publishing Limited accept no responsibility or liability should any costs indicated in the Through Life Cost Model change from those published. All residual values are based on an average of values achieved through Turners Auctions Limited sales for the previous 3 months from issue date.