Test drive Mazda 323 F 1994 - 1997 hatchback

Silver sedan

In Motor 2, we introduced several cars of Mazda. Among them was a 323 family with models C (compact) and F (hatchback). It was not possible to travel on the sedan then, but we filled the gap at the very beginning of 1997. It was not an ordinary sedan, but his modification with the proud name Silver Stone, which, apparently, should suggest the legendary British racing highway and high speed capabilities of the car. This time I did not have to go to Minsk, our path lay in the vicinity of Podolsk Dubrovitsa’s estate, known for its Znamensky Church, built at the turn of the XVII-XVIII centuries. The temple and our acquaintance with Mazda 323 S 1.5 Silver Stone took place.


And the car, one might say, is met by clothes. The appearance of Mazda is quite modern, in the spirit of the latest stylistic trends the body has smooth rounded outlines. At the same time, the front of the car came out somewhat aggressive. Outwardly, the Silver Stone modification differs from the basic model by the presence of a spoiler on the trunk lid with a built-in stop-signal and decorative caps of wheels. Could put cast discs, but, as it turned out later, the owner of the car changed the wheels. Maybe it's all about the engine? We open the hood and see a banal 16-valve power unit with a working volume of 1598 cm cubic meter, installed across the motor compartment.


Let us give yourself a few numbers. The engine develops a power of 90 liters. With. at 5300 about./min., And the peak of the torque curve with a size of 135 nm falls at 4000 rpm. It’s not bad, especially when you consider that this is a serial motor is the simplest configuration. What else is interesting here? A 4-point electronic fuel injection is installed on the engine, the upper supports of the front suspension racks of the Macpherson type and the steering mechanism with a hydraulic power pipe are visible. As an amplifier will work, we will find out later, but for now we look into the trunk. It turned out to be quite spacious especially when the separate backs of the rear seat were folded.


The rear suspension, like the front, independent type Macpherson. Perhaps the minus will be the low location of the reptile stability stabilizer, but the Mazda 323 is made for city streets and suburban highways with a good coating, which must be remembered, going on the bad road.


Getting into the salon thanks to a comfortable handle and a wide opening of the door did not make up. The driver's seat has three adjustments along the length and inclination of the pillow and back. This allows you to quickly establish a convenient position for a person of almost any height. The road to the machine is clearly visible, the same can be said about the analog type. The availability of governing bodies indicates a good ergonomic study of the cabin. The car has a sedan body, which involves enough space for rear passengers in height. There was a desire to find out how the adjustment of the front seats to two -meter growth would affect the rear passengers. I must say, they will not have problems. We have not yet met such a spacious salon on such cars. But the length of the car barely exceeds 4.3 meters at a base of 2605 mm!


Again we find ourselves behind the wheel, simultaneously noting the trunk of the trunk and a flood neck at the base of the seat, and start the engine. Light indicators blinked on devices, thereby reporting that everything was in order, and the engine earned without trembling and vibration. It was quite tiring to rotate the steering wheel in place with a non -working engine, but as soon as the motor came to life, the power of the steering was formed in the body, the force on the steering wheel significantly decreased.


And what will be in motion? Let's start, perhaps. The engine speaks quite sensitively to the sharp presses of the accelerator pedal at idle and makes a characteristic ringing fractional sound inherent in multi -valve engines. The clutch works softly and clearly, next to the pedal is a platform for the stop of the left leg. A pleasant trifle. The programs are easily turned on. Yes, I almost forgot: a convenient and functional torpedo of plastic under the skin.


It's time to move. The car easily rolled in first gear, demonstrating excellent maneuverability. The review back is no worse than forward. Parking on this car is highly pleasure. And we continue to move. The engine obediently gains momentum, go to second gear, then to the third and further to the fourth (there are five of them). Switching is clearly. The speed grows rapidly, but the car holds the road perfectly, its behavior inspires confidence in safe and fully controlled movement, the suspension copes with small irregularities and does not allow the wheel to be torn when moving sections of the road with a pronounced relief and in high -speed steep turns. The effort on the steering wheel increased significantly, he lost its resistance and became a sharp and clear hydraulic power steering with a variable characteristic.


Despite the fact that the car is front -wheel drive, in corners it demonstrates almost neutral rotation, which only adds sharpness to the sensations from controlling this sedan. It is possible that this is the result of the action of the reptile stability of the rear suspension. Even if you are slightly late with the steering wheel before turning, then this error can be quickly fixed: light movement of the steering wheel, adding gas and the car obediently drawn into the turn and ends up in the place where the driver directs it. The brakes work to match the suspension and steering, providing a stable and accurate slowdown, despite the presence of drum brake mechanisms on the rear wheels.


It seems to us that such a dynamic and compact sedan may interest first of all business people leading an active city lifestyle and relying largely on their own strengths. And the active lifestyle is inconceivable without a car for a driver, which can include Mazda 323 S.


Mazda’s entrance exam successfully withstood. Let's see what will happen next, because more and more cars of this brand appear on our roads. We will inform readers about the long -term operation of these machines in conditions different from the conditions of Japan, Western Europe and America, where Mazda received enthusiastic reviews.
 
Sergey Ivanov
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 02/1997]