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

Let's go ... with an automaton

You have not yet paid attention to how familiar to our motorists have become automatic transmission? Five years ago, everyone shied away from them, like a devil from incense, and now almost every second new car that has left the car dealership is equipped with an automatic machine. And even more than that: if any model in the range does not have a modification with an automatic transmission, this very negatively affects the volume of its implementation!

So Mazda 3, which appeared on the Belarusian market at the end of last year, at first also did not have a version with a machine gun. True, the novelty of the Japanese manufacturer turned out to be so successful that this fact did not affect its sales - the treshka was sold very well, and there was even a turn behind it. But still, some buyers remained unhappy that they could not buy the car they attracted in the required configuration. And now this gap is eliminated: Mazda 3 with an automatic gearbox enters the Belarusian market!

The new transmission is available only with a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine, and is offered in our market in a touring package. This is by no means a basic option, the standard treshka is indicated by a laconic BASE, and an automatic machine for models of this class is not yet standard equipment. But Mazda 3 Touring can be envied with a higher class car. Without exaggeration, we can say that this Mazda has everything! A little clarification: in this machine there is everything you need.

And the list of equipment is included in the list of equipment such as air conditioning, electric windows on the front and rear doors, electric drive and heating of external mirrors, steering amplifier, headlight corrector, audio system and even an external temperature pointer! Here you will find the steering wheel and handle of the gearbox, the upholstery of the seats of the sport and the control panel of the audio system on the steering wheel. In addition, even in the MAZDA 3 database, it is equipped with an ABS anti -lock system, an EBA electronic distribution system and EBA emergency braking system, which helps to fully realize the brake potential during emergency braking. Four airbags are responsible for the safety of the driver and passengers: two front and two side. In pairs, three -point seat belts with pretendermen are working with them, and the head restraints are provided for all five passengers. A barbarus of safety in the doorway will protect against the lateral blow, and a branded Mazdovsky system of distribution and repayment of impact energy is operating with frontal clashes.

With a complete set, as we see, everything is in order. And how does Mazda 3 go with a machine gun? After all, automatic transmission not only facilitate the driving, which ladies really like, but also deprive the driver of a certain share of information, so necessary with an active driving style. And for this, by the way, experimental drivers do not like machine guns. We hasten to calm both of them. Mazda has found a brilliant exit from this situation: it has developed an automatic transmission that corresponds to the needs of both consumer groups. It can work as a regular machine, and if desired - and as a mechanical gearbox. The driver himself can change the gears, shaking the gearbox lever forward and forth, including increasing or lowering gear.

The name of the automatic transmission is Activmatic, it unequivocally hints at what character this unit possesses. That is, even before sitting behind the wheel, the future owner of the threek already sets himself up in the corresponding way - the machine gun is active. So, the sports style of driving is just for him. Intriguing, you know ...

Both modes, automatic and pseudo -mechanical, can replace each other during movement. In the position of the drive, the box works in fully automatic mode, and if there is a desire to control the switching process itself, it is enough just to tilt the lever to the left - this is how the manual mode is turned on. You can independently change the gears, both up and down. And get tired - you can again turn on the automatic mode.

In the city, of course, it is more convenient to ride a machine - turned on the drive, and you don’t take your hands off the steering wheel. Switching is soft, barely noticeable. If you do not twist the engine above the average revolutions, then it is almost impossible to feel the moment of changing the transmission. At the same time, the control unit also has its own logic: if you sharply press the gas, it will not switch up, interfering with acceleration. On the contrary, having felt the driver's desire to disperse the car, the machine will patiently hold the transfer - in this case, switching will not occur at 2500-3000 rpm, but much later, almost near the red zone of the tachometer. But it is worth releasing the gas, as the box will turn on the economical regime again, and subsequent switching will occur in the medium -speed area.

Therefore, for active driving, it is better to use the manual mode. It is unlikely to reduce the acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h: in any case, the Mazda 3 will not accelerate faster than 12.4 seconds. But on the other hand, the driver, independently controlling the transmission, can better control the acceleration of the car in transition modes. Suppose, if you just stomp on the gas pedal at a speed of 60 km/h (a typical situation when overtaking a summer resident), then the car will not accelerate immediately - first the machine will switch down, and only then acceleration will begin. In manual mode, this effect can be reduced to a minimum, just before overtaking the driver himself turns on a lowering gear, forcing the engine to operate in the optimal revolutionary zone. Again, knowing all the characteristics of the engine, using manual switching, you can achieve that it will constantly give out the maximum torque.

Manual is also very convenient for high -speed maneuvering: by changing the transmission independently, the driver Mazda 3 can achieve maximum acceleration, as well as effectively slow down the engine when passing turns. True, one feature does not allow to recognize the asset is absolutely driver - when the maximum revolutions, the box switches up without asking for the consent of the driver. For some, very experienced drivers using special management techniques, this may seem a serious drawback. However, among such pilots there are very few owners of Mazda 3 - those who like to drive quickly, but without extremely.

By the way, about a quick ride. We have repeatedly tested a three -lash and always noted how driver this car turned out. A new platform, new pendants (in the back - multi -link), new engines - all this made it possible to turn a gray Japanese, as competitors called the Mazda into a magnificent and spectacular car. It is now quite seriously compared with thoroughbred European models such as Alfa Romeo ...

There is even nothing to say about the engine ... In the sense, nothing that could interest readers is just a good motor. Fuel injection, four valves per cylinder, a gas distribution phase change system - in general, a modern high -tech engine. And very convenient to manage, because he, unlike many other engines, is not inhibiting - he reacts to gas without the slightest delay. By the way, an important point - otherwise recently all the engines seem to be boiled ...

Another distinguishing feature of the 1.6-liter motor: good thrust at low and medium speeds. On the version with an automaton, this is not particularly noticeable, because due to the specifics of the design of the power unit on this car almost always operates in the range of 2000-3500 rpm. But thanks to the system of changes in the phase of gas distribution, the torque is evenly distributed throughout the speed range, and this allows you to accelerate the car from any revolutions and in any gear.

In general, Mazda 3 Touring Aut. We liked no less than other versions - a modern, well -equipped car with automatic transmission. Safe. Comfortable. And we can talk about the driving qualities of the new threek from Mazda to infinity - a cool, driver. And even despite the transmission, because the machine in this car is also very driver.

Pavel Kozlovsky
 

A source: Autogazet / N 20 (459) dated 01.06.04