By Ross Kiddie Mazda3 GSX hatchback There's no sign of the Mazda Motor Corporation running out of puff. By its own admission, the company was hit hard financially through floods which forced three months of cutbacks at its Hiroshima factories last year. However, since getting back on track, Mazda has pumped out a succession of desirable, high quality models. Those cars are also state of the art, and designed for what current buyers are looking for. That statement could be contradictory given the new Mazda3 has been launched in a diminishing market, the sedan/hatchback sector has lost favour against sport utility vehicles. However, I’m of the belief that there’s still plenty of interest in traditional sedans, and that is what I’d be looking for if I was in a position to buy a new vehicle. The new Mazda3 lands in hatchback and sedan body styles, they are each priced the same, starting at $36,595 and ending at $48,795. There are two engine options along the way - 2-litre or 2.5-litre – each paired to a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. This evaluation focuses on the entry-level GSX 2-litre hatchback, and I’d be looking no further, it certainly appeals to me, and at around $36k has to be the bargain of the series. You wouldn’t be disappointed with the level of specification, it gets a full suite of safety technologies, and items for comfort and convenience are in abundance. Sure, the cloth trim doesn’t have the appeal of leather, but for those living in Christchurch cloth is by far the more preferable, there’s no icy feeling jumping into the car on a frosty morning. In terms of specification, it gets satellite navigation, keyless entry and ignition, radar cruise control/speed limiter, and a host of other features that Mazda has refined and incorporated into all of its models in recent years. That’s a tempting package and, as regular readers will recall, I’ve often remarked on the build quality and high grade trim materials that are used on all Mazda product today. As mentioned, the base model GSX gets a 1998cc power plant, it’s a naturallyaspirated unit, what I mean is that it doesn’t have a turbocharger like some other vehicles in the Mazda line-up. That’s no detraction, this engine is part of the SkyActive range of Mazda drivelines, highlighted by good power outputs in relation to efficiency. The key figures are 114kW and 200Nm, it will also return a combined cycle fuel usage average of 6.2-litres per 100km (45mpg). These are Mazda’s claims, and I wouldn’t dispute them. On my evaluation drive the fuel usage readout was constantly listing around 7.8l/100km (36mpg), with an instantaneous figure of 6l/100km (47mpg) on offer with the engine turning over at 1800rpm at 100km/h. I took the evaluation car through the twists and turns of the roads which run parallel to the Selwyn River, and I can report it has beautiful handling balance and high levels of comfort. The GSX rides on tyres far from low in profile. At 205/60 x 16in they sit tall on the wheel, and won’t give you the handling dynamics of the low profile rubber fitted to high-grade variants. However, what they do give is amazing ride quality, and the handling is far from compromised. Steerage is still direct, and with a low centre of gravity (body height just 1435mm) there is control within the suspension and relative freedom. I say that because Mazda has introduced a new rear suspension into the 3 range. It came as a bit of a surprise to learn the old fully-independent system has been dropped in favour of a torsion beam type. I would Page 30 Price: Mazda3 GSX hatchback, $36,595 Dimensions: Length, 4460mm; width, 1795mm; height, 1435mm Configuration: Four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, 1998cc, 114kW, 200Nm, six-speed automatic Performance: 0-100km/h, 9sec Fuel usage: 6.2l/100km have considered that was a backward step, but Mazda has told me that they have every confidence in the new design. In effect, it does work confidently, and if technical details don’t bother you in a purchase then you are never going to tell the difference. The balance between power and handling is manufactured so that if you want to have a spirited drive the 2-litre engine performs admirably, there is plenty of power on tap, and it has a complete willingness through the entire rev band. If you wish for a spirited drive there is a sport mode available at the driver’s discretion, it livens the engine markedly, but I was more interested in gleaning good fuel use stats so I used it only for a short period just for evaluation purposes only. For the record, the Mazda3 in this form will scamper to 100km/h in a respectable 9sec. As much as I enjoyed the bold design of the hatchback – the rear quarter is simply stunning – I’d be in the sedan market. However, I’m well aware that buyers like sport utility vehicles, but it’s good to see traditional models are still in the marketplace, I hope that Mazda is rewarded through solid sales.
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