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

Golden mean

In addition to the Zoom -Zoom slogan, Mazda also came up with an unusual way to designate models - the numbers should be written without a space after a word. Mazda3, but not Mazda 3! In principle, violation of the rules of the English language. But these are the Japanese, who with English work miracles. Yes, and the company Ford, which Mazda belongs to a third, does not mind ...

The sticking of numbers is a certain marketing move, the meaning of which is understandable only to its authors. You can only guess how much time this move claimed. However, it does not give a damn to the buyers for this, most journalists too - it would be good for the car. We will check how good Mazdatri is, while for reasons of correctness we will adhere to writing according to Mazda.

The third participant in the dough patiently waited for his turn in the parking lot outside the Moscow Ring Road, near the famous automobile market. For testing, we ordered the Mazda3 Sport sedan. Smelled by the name. We figured out when we arrived at the car dealership for the car: in the Russian market, all the sport is nothing more than one of the configurations. (In Canada, for example, the word Sport, complementing the Mazda3, unequivocally indicates that this is a hatchback. By the way, last year Mazda3 won the title of a car of the year there.) I wanted to outplay the cheachback sedan ...

Mazda was pretty hard to breed two body options. Hatchback is visually sports for youth. Large arches (which is why it seems that the wheels are more broadly than on the sedan), a distinct anti-wing on the fifth door, powerful feed, more dynamic than that of the sedan. The car seems to radiate sports energy.

The sedan looks calmer. But in general, it is pretty, balanced and modern (I don’t want to remember about model 323). And if at all, to refuse to compare with the hatchback and look at the entire Russian representative office of the golf class in the sedan back (we will expand the interpretation of the term), we have to state - there are not many competitors in the external appearance of the Mazda3. In addition, the body kit of the Sport, including the thresholds, changed bumpers (the rear deliberately enlarged), the new false radiator grille and anti -winged on the trunk lid, additionally decorates the car. The color, of course, plays an important role here - the glowing red. So God with him, with a hatchback, - let the sedan be on the test. Moreover, in Russia they are more popular ...

On the occasion, as always, the car unexpectedly falling out had to be reached. Winter boots were stolen from the older brother - Mazda6. The size came up, although the disks of the Mazda6 for inch are smaller than those that are equipped with Mazda3 Sport. Everything is simple: instead of wheels with summer rubber 205/50R17, they put wheels with winter 205/55R16. The difference in the diameter of the disks is covered with a higher tire profile, so there is no need to talk about changing the dynamic characteristics of the car, and the controllability has worsened slightly - due to the increased profile and, as a result, slightly large wheels' departures.

There was no remote control of the central castle - the door had to be opened with a key. It's funny - given the fact that the test was in the maximum configuration. Having stood in a car, I took out my favorite CD, which usually accompanies me on trips, but did not find a slot where it could be inserted. An audio cassette would not come in handy. In the SPORT top-compartment machine, only the radio is installed! However, it can be replaced with a radio or supplemented with a cd changer - there are such options.

There are other surprises. For example, the trunk cover has no internal handles - in winter the owner will have to stir his hands. At the same time, there are xenon headlights, rain sensor and automatic lighting on the lighting system - in principle, useful, but not penny and half -image. By the way, separate climate control is not provided. The audio system is represented by six speakers that sound nothing more than medium.

The fact that Mazda models are similar to Alfa Romeo (not so much stylistically as ideologically) is not a new topic. One way or another, the interior of the threek is unequivocally refers to the ALFA 147. Round nontulations on the sides of the front panel, deeply drowned in pseudo-sports wells, a tachometer and a speedometer, bright red backlighting of the dashboard (which, by the way, not only has several degrees of brightness, but also Changes color, and is also, unlike Alfa, optitron). All this is familiar. But the materials of the finish are also to the touch and in appearance seem more budgetary. However, the quality of the Japanese assembly is obvious, and the interior looks with dignity, however, some moments (for example, LED lights that are quite stupidly scattering to the sides of the volume adjusting, or everywhere hard plastic) still embarrassed.

The chairs have mechanical adjustments. The seat pillow will seem short -ovenered to high drivers, it does not provide proper support for their hips. The back profile is also far from the ideal, but it is possible to choose a completely convenient landing. Here, by the way, the possibility of adjusting the position of the steering wheel helps.

In the back there is enough space if the front seats are exhibited under a person with a tall of not more than 190 cm. The backs of the seats are folded in a ratio of 40/60, increasing the luggage volume. A review in the direction of backwards is clamped by a high window line and large racks. And parking sensors are not offered even for a surcharge - beginners will have to turn their neck and endure the mirror.

But not for that, we took the Mazda3 test to check the capacity of the glove compartment. Comparison with Alfa Romeo is not accidental. It was interesting to evaluate the running qualities of the Japanese model of relatively high -speed Europeans. And Mazda3 did not hit the dirt in the dirt - the car is really dynamic, with a gambling character. The emotions from driving this sedan are extremely positive.

Mazda3 is equipped with a 2 -liter power unit and a capacity of 150 hp. Just like Alfov T.spark. The gearbox is a 5 -speed mechanics. The selectivity of the gear shift mechanism and the accuracy of its work are at a high level. The box is not as good as the Filigree-acting 6-speed competitor from VW Golf, but it works more clearly than the similar gearbox Citroen C4. The steering is equipped with an electric amplifier, which generates an effort on the steering wheel depending on the engine speed. The suspension, they assured us in the car dealership, the same as on the usual Mazda3. Well, good. The front is macpherson, and the usual back is a multi -link, structurally borrowed from Mazda6. This is more common on sports sedans of a much higher class.

Strongly turned counterclockwise the instrument scale (hello from Alfa) unequivocally hint at the sports essence of the car. When the engine is turned off, the arrow at the speedometer and tachometer hang at half -hundredth, and after the start they very quickly reach the position by twelve - to the values \u200b\u200bthat are noticeably higher than the average.

The car accelerates very, very good. The gear ratio of the boxes are not brought together and not stretched - the middle ground. The engine bribely removes up to 7200 revolutions, showing its best qualities in the interval between 4500 and 7000 rpm. This allows you to easily gain passport 210 km/h even in winter conditions. At this speed, the car behaves absolutely predictably. Clearly holds a straight line, practically without reacting to bald spots and ruts. However, the steering wheel requires very tender treatment - the treshka reacts very sensitively even to the small movements of the steering wheel.

The pedal node according to the first sensations is quite motley. The clutch is tight and long -term, the gas is thin, sensitive, and the brake is generally like a feather, while sharp and powerful. But everything works fine.

With a sharp start with DCS turned on, trouble is possible - strong blows, this stabilization system slows down the slippage wheels. Here you will have to either turn off the system and fight the slip, or leave it turned on, but to move more carefully.

Mazda3 Sport divers in turning with readily. Only now, a not too experienced driver will be prepared for such behavior, who may not know that even on front -wheel drive cars in some cases, it is better not to throw gas, but to squeeze it through terrible? The fact is that the Japanese woman willingly gets sideways if in a quick turn to reduce the fuel supply. Of course, with the stabilization system disconnected. Otherwise, DCS unceremoniously intervenes in the process - the wheel is slowed down, which is needed, and then blocks the supply of gasoline. Even if the skidding is still very far from the uncontrolled stage. In principle, right. If you drive the car not very confident, located on the left and just below the steering column, the DCS button is better not to touch.

It is a pity that in relation to sedans, the definition is not yet used like hot - as in the case of hatchbacks. Mazda3 Sport would have justified it one hundred percent. However, how many will agree to put up with the features accompanying this status? First of all, we are talking about a hard short -flowing suspension. There is no dentition of Citroen C4 VTS here, but, I must admit, it becomes a pity for shock absorbers and suspension hinges when you get into the hole on the road or move the tram tracks. The suspension is quite noisy to work out the irregularities, the sitting inside is shaking. Suppose for athletes like me such a warm -up - both joy and motivation. But are there many of them? And then, if you go all the heavy, is it better to choose the same C4 VTS, which with more serious reasons marks in street sport? Noise insulation was not impressed - there is always a rumble of tires, and with any attempt to go dynamically the roar of a high -speed motor with a ringing and whistle is dynamically heard. So conceived, under this, the muffler made of stainless steel constructed. In C-class this does not often happen.

As the target car evaluates - more solid than that of the hatchback, the Mazda sedan audience (in the aggregate of properties and qualities, given the important criterion of choice - price)? So, according to the sum of the characteristics of the Mazda3 Sport sedan, it is a middle ground between VW Golf 2.0 TDI and Citroen C4 VTS. It is dynamic, sports, but at the same time very well suits the role of a car for daily use. And noticeably cheaper than competitors. A pretty appearance, Japanese assembly (are there any recommendations better?) And quite a Japanese price. That is why the one who ordered his Mazda3 in March will receive the car at best in October, and really - in November. Mazda3 likes many. I liked us.

The European debut of the Mazda3 took place in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, after which, for several months, the queues were lined up behind the car - including in Russia. Mazda3 - C -class car. In our market, the model is presented in two body variants - a five -door hatchback and sedan. Engines - 1.6 l (105 hp) and 2.0 l (150 hp). The machine is built on a new platform common for Ford and Mazda. It was first used in Ford Focus C-Max. Then in Mazda3 - the heroine of this publication. Followers: Volvo S40, new Ford Focus and Volvo V50. Recall, within the framework of Ford Motor Co. Mazda entrusted to represent the sports side of the mass automotive industry.

Cost and equipment of a car that has been on the test

The bright red sedan Mazda3 in the Sport configuration is estimated at $ 23.300 (if you return 17-inch wheels to it). The amount determines the following list of equipment: ABS+EDB, TCS (anti -circus system) and DSC, as well as EBA (helped by slightly -legged in emergency braking); front and side pillows for the driver and passenger; Safety curtains, active head restraints of the front seats; adjusting the driver's seat in height, and the steering column - along the length and angle of inclination; central castle, immobilizer, fog, on -board computer; headlight washer, heating the front seats, climate control, optimal dashboard, xenon headlights, light and rain sensors; Aerodynamic body kit and cast 17-inch discs with rubber 205/50R17.

Mazda3 prices and equipment

You can become the owner of Mazda3 for only $ 17.100. The machine will be equipped with 1.6 liters of an engine (105 hp) and 5-speed mechanics. It is gratifying that Base's equipment is not quite bald, one might even say, slightly hairy. There is an ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distributor), a full set of airbags, active head restraints in front, steering amplifier and front electric windows. For surcharge - air conditioning ($ 600). They say that a year and a half ago there were complaints about him, but now the problems have seemed to be resolved. Step above - Touring. For a version with 1.6 liters of the engine they ask for $ 19,000 and promise 16-inch alloy wheels, front fogs, an on-board computer, electric windows of all doors, climate control and headlight washers. Thumbs up. Having an extra thousand green in your pocket, you can swing the automatic 4-speed box with the possibility of manual switching. Not Selespeed, of course, but also the money is different. For the Touring version with mechanics, side safety curtains are offered for a surcharge. It is possible to install APS, DSC stabilization system, EBA subsidator and electric hatch ($ 850 for everything). Mazda3 Touring with a 2.0 engine will pull $ 22.400, and not only the engine is the reason - all safety systems appear on the machine. It is possible to add to Sport configuration, an accurate sample of which was a test machine. This is an electric hatch for $ 250. Honestly, in a child!

Text: Leonty Tyutelev
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 4/2005]