Test drive Mazda Mazda 3 (Axela) Sedan 2004 - 2009 sedan

Mazda 3 Sedan is also zoom-zoom

After the presentation of the new Mazda3, the opinions of my colleagues were divided: someone really liked the stylish hatchback, and others, on the contrary, liked the modest, but pretty sedan. Nobody argued about the engines, running qualities and the burden of new engines - only about the appearance of cars. And representatives of the company with a satisfied look watched these discussions: if only disputes, that the design, then the idea with the sensational Zoom -Zoom fully justified itself - Mazda completely changed the image ...

Indeed, something, but the stylish design and image of the manufacturer of thoroughbred cars is clearly not enough for Japanese companies. They can attract anything: high power indicators and the torque, amazing reliability and a huge resource, luxurious equipment or low price, but there was not enough legend - history, origin, status. They are fighting this problem in different ways: someone comes up with new brands and at first shouts them, in every possible way hiding the kinship. And someone, like Mazda, decides to change the entire image of the company - models are designed really completely new. In everything ...

The ideology of Zoom-Zoom, in which several models have already been created, implies, first of all, a different image of Mazda models. Compare the previous and current generation - the dynamic Mazda6 came to replace the 626th. Instead of a modest low -iority of the 121st series, a compact hatchback Mazda2 appeared. And the modest Mazda 323 gave way to an aggressive and stylish threele - Mazda3. And judging by the level of sales, Mazda does not regret that Va-Bank has gone, since all new models are in high demand. And in the near future, another Zoom -Zoom model will appear - Mazda4, which will replace the Premacy single -collar.

Mazda3 was created on a completely new platform, which has already become the basis for cars such as Volvo S40 and Ford Focus C-Max. Among its features are obvious driver settings, which can be seen even according to a single -volume si -max, not to mention a compact squat three. In front, a time -tested suspension with McPherson racks has been installed, and a multi -link scheme with a steering effect from behind. The car body was created using Maidas technology, designed to absorb and distribution of impact energy. In addition, inertial safety belts with pretense, safety bars in the doors, as well as front or side pillows of safety, work on safety - four eirbegs are included in standard equipment, and more expensive versions have six pillows. The standard equipment includes ABS with an electronic system of distribution of brake force, which as a result gives a record short (for this class) braking distance.

The strength of all new models is the design of the body. If earlier it was just solid, but modest, faceless cars, now every new Mazda is a surge in emotions. True, realizing that not all consumers will be able to accept a new style, the manufacturer decided to do more and more cunning: all the versions of the threek are slightly different from each other. Only if in the mid -nineties all modifications of model 323 were not at all similar at all, then the current triples are not so strikingly. For example, it is difficult to distinguish a sedan from the hatchback in front, without having photos of both versions before your eyes - the differences in the nuances. The hatchback, initially focused on sports, hood and false radiator grille more convex, aggressive, and the sedan with a similar design looks calm, balanced. An interesting point: all body panels of the hatchback and sedan are original, differ in shape, sizes and proportions, but looking at them you can’t say. But at the back and side, both versions are not very similar: the hatchback looks almost a crossover, and the sedan with an ordinary sedan. Naturally, both the back and the roof line are completely original. So, choosing between sedan and hechtbek Mazda3, you have to lean either to sports (hatchback) or to a calm (sedan) exterior. That at the same time is good, because there is an opportunity to choose a version to taste, and bad, because someone may need an aggressive sedan or, conversely, calm with a hatchback. However, these are nit -picking: other companies generally offer one design option for all versions of the same model.

The interior of the threek will not leave the connoisseur of sports cars indifferent. The landing is high, but everything else is like a swift compartment. Sports three -spoke trumpet with a chubby rim, comfortable and comfortable chairs with powerful lateral support, a panel of devices with three deep wells. When the ignition is turned off, the arrows of the tachometer and speedometer look vertically down, like thoroughbred Italian sportsmen. The quality of plastic also resembles expensive models, it is soft not only visually, but also to the touch.

As indicated in the press release, special attention was paid to ergonomics: when you hit the threek, you begin to understand what is at stake. All buttons, keys and switches have clearly distinguishable and understandable icons, and the mutual arrangement of controls does not give a reason for reproach. Drivers of the short -term lever of the checkpoint will be especially appreciated - you can change the gears with two fingers. And there are no problems with the clarity of turning on.

Two versions of Mazda3 were proposed for the test: a sedan and hatchback equipped with 1.6- and 2.0-liter gasoline motors, respectively. Cars differed in color, equipment and tires-the R16 wheels were installed on a more powerful 150-horsepower version, and the 105-horsepower version 1.6 stood on 15-inch wheels. Naturally, in the movement, cars were very different from each other: a harsh sports hatchback, which briskly responds to the slightest movement of the gas pedal, and a calm, slightly phlegmatic sedan. And the color of each car exactly corresponded to his character: a bright hatchback left behind the same vivid impressions, and the dark blue sedan against his background was slightly lost. The two liters engine are crazy thrust and the ability to break the drive wheels into slipping even on dry asphalt - it is not for nothing that the DCS dynamic control system is installed on this version in the standard. And a 1.6 -liter modification is a more calm and convenient car in management. A system of changes in the phases of gas distribution is installed on its engine, so the torque curve turned out to be as convenient as possible for movement - the torque in the right amount is present at low speeds and is evenly distributed throughout the range. It turned out to be more convenient to drive on a 1.6-liter sedan: less often you need to switch the gears, the car is more willing to accelerate from low revolutions, and it behaves much quieter. The hatchback with a 150-horsepower engine, of course, is faster, but only if it is constantly aiming with high speeds and low gears. Then he really has no equal ...

The portrait of the new Mazda3 sedan for a person who is not yet familiar with this car may seem correctly right. The machine has a spacious salon, excellent running qualities, an interesting and stylish design. And almost everyone knows about the high quality of the Mazda assembly, produced exclusively in Japan - after all, it is not for nothing that the Mazdes regularly occupy first places in the reliability rating. The advantage over other brands can also be considered a very strong position of this brand in the Belarusian market - an actively working importer does everything possible to ensure the trouble -free operation of the car. For example, a few years ago, the Belarusian representative office ensured that the 626 model intended for supply to our market has a special equipment. This is not yet provided for the new Mazda3: not specially collected, but ordinary versions, but adapted for bad roads and low -quality gasoline, are delivered to our market. All versions of Mazda3 offered by the dealer are designed for gasoline with an octane number of at least 92, and the road clearance is increased. In the usefulness of these improvements, I think no one will doubt - you yourself see on what roads and what gasoline we ride on.

In general, before the appearance of competitors on the Belarusian market (the fifth VW Golf and the new Opel Astra) Mazda3 is perhaps the most attractive, by combining consumer characteristics, option for purchase. The style of the Italian car, typically Japanese quality of manufacture, and even with the running qualities of GTI, is what the new Mazda3 is. And with which body - a sedan or hatchback, does not matter ...

Pavel Kozlovsky
 
 

Source: Autogazet / N 3 (442) dated 03.02.04