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

MAZDA 3: three write, five in mind

Mazda-3 in its homeland is sold under the name Axela from Accelerate (acceleration) and Excellent (excellent). How to find out the local car in the secondary market was studied by Pavel Leonov. Photo: George Sadkov.
For the first time, the nesting doll (so often called the Mazda-3 owners) appeared before the general public in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show in the form of a prototype Mazda MX Sportif, and after only a few months the world premiere of the serial machine took place in Frankfurt. The successor of the current version is promised to show this month at the Los Angeles Motor Show. True, only in the back of the sedan. And the hatchback will be demonstrated at the December motor show in Italian Bologna.
The current three-sedan and a 5-door hatchback are produced in Japan in Hiroshima and Hofu (for the European market). The basis is the unified platform C1, on which Ford Focus and Volvo-S40 are also built.
The body was created using the MAIDAS technology, which provides the optimal distribution and absorption of the energy of the impact, and has a built -in strong frame that protects passengers in collisions. The base has two airbags on cars for the American market and at least four in the rest. This allowed the car to earn four stars in the EURONCAP Crash test, gaining 33 points out of 36 possible. Formally, the amount of points is drawn by five stars, but the rating was reduced for the injured front panel design.

Externally, cars are distinguished by bumpers, thresholds, fog, wheels, etc.
   
 


Almost Europe
Machines intended for the European and Russian markets differ only in a list of power units in the latter, it is shorter.
Cars with in-line 4-cylinder engines 1.6 liters (105 hp) and 2.0 l (150 hp) are officially supplied to us. Both engines belong to the new MZR series, have four valves per cylinder, fuel injection with electronic control and the timing chain drive. In 2006, the MZR DISI Turbo turbo engine (2.3 liters, 260 hp) with direct fuel injection was added to them, which is installed only on the sports version of the MPS (Mazda Performance Series). European buyers were much more fortunate: except for these ones, they are offered a 1.4 liter gasoline engine (84 hp) and three turbodiesels with a power system of the Common Rail: two 1.6 liters (90 and 109 hp) and 143 strong 2-liter.
All cars have a drive only on the front wheels. The MPS modification from the counterparts is distinguished by a differential of high friction, which allows you to better control the car in various road conditions and implement a considerable moment 380 N.M, accessible already with 3000 rpm!
Initially, all engines were aggregated with a 5-speed manual, with the exception of machines with a 1.6 liter engine in the Touring configuration. They can be equipped with a 4-speed ActiveMatic automatic machine, which allows you to switch the transmission manually. In 2006, cars with 2-liter engines and the MPS version began to install mechanics with six gears. And finally, since April 2008, versions with a 2.0 liter engine and a 5-speed automatic engine appeared on sale.
Five levels of threek
At first, only three levels of equipment were offered: Base, Touring and Sport, and after restyling, conducted in 2006 (new radiator grille, front and rear bumpers of a changed shape, other fog of the Testament in the Sport version, other wheels' design, new salon decoration materials, modified, modified The dashboard, improved noise insulation, etc.) added versions of MPS and Flash Edition to them.
Throughing in the poorest configuration of BASE is equipped only with a 1.6 liter engine. The list of standard equipment includes ABS with the brake force distribution system (EBD), emergency braking amplifier (EBA), front, front side and window pillows, ISOFIX children's seats, etc. In Touring (engines 1.6 and 2.0 liters) they also added air conditioning (with a 2.0 liter climate control engine), an on-board computer and various pleasant little things. Well, the most sophisticated Sport equipment boasts a dynamic stabilization system (DSC), climate control, xenon headlights with an automatic corrector, alloy 17-inch wheels. Outside, this version is easy to identify by sports design bumpers, plastic thresholds and the rear spoiler.
The special series of Flash Edition (only 1.6 liters) is designed to attract attention, which is facilitated by a bumper with fog lights, the rear spoiler, sports radiator grille, stylish external mirrors, low suspension and 16-inch wheels from a light alloy with five double knitting needles.
The MPS version is considered the top of the lineup. The design of the exterior and interior changed slightly increased air intake in the front bumper, installed sports seats, aluminum pedal overlays, 18-inch alloy wheels ... But the engineers worked much more firmly more rigid shock absorbers and springs supplemented the springs in front (1 mm in front and in front 5 mm from behind) stabilizers of the peretial stability, made the bottom more flat (this made it possible to reduce the frontal resistance coefficient to 0.31), set up the exhaust system, installed 320 mm with a diameter with a diameter of 320 mm in front and the improved system of distribution and absorption of the impact energy.

Car salons differ not only in the level of equipment, but also with the materials of the finish:
 
 
 

The design of the instrument panel depends not only on the configuration, but also on the gearbox:
    
 
Overseas version
In the American market, treshki began to be sold in 2004. Initially, only two levels of equipment were offered here: I and S. A year later, they added a SP23 equipment to them. On the last two versions, a 2.3-liter engine with a capacity of 160 hp was installed, and at the first 2-liter with a capacity of 144148 hp. (depending on the setting). All engines can work in pairs with 5-speed mechanics and with a 4-speed automatic. We have more popular cars with a 2.3 liter engine and automatic transmission. However, with the advent of the European version of Sport with the automatic transmission, interest in them fell noticeably. In general, the level of equipping local sets approximately repeats the European ones: I corresponds to Base, S Touring, SP23 Sport, with the exception of some differences. Thus, the amazes in the base have only two airbags, steel wheels, a minimum of electronic assistants and even in the richest equipment are content with air conditioning. But you can buy a car with a leather salon (in SP23 already in the database) and a cruise control.
After the 2006 restyling, I Touring, S Touring and S Grand Touring was added to the existing equipment, while removing SP23. In 2007, I and S were renamed I Sport and S Sport, respectively, and in 2008 they added Touring Value (akin to our Flash Edition). Cars in these trim levels to the Russian market are not yet being taken.
Overseas cars traditionally differ in optics, bumpers (they have stamping for square numbers) and digitizing panel digitization. It should not be forgotten that Americans and Europeans have different spare parts codes; Russian official dealers do not have appropriate catalogs, so problems will inevitably arise with the search and order of details.
Local prerogative
Three types of gasoline engines are installed on the Axels sold in the domestic market of Japan: 1.5 l (114 hp), 2.0 l (150 hp) and 2.3 liters (171 hp) . Versions with motors of 1.5 liters and 2.3 L are equipped with both 5-speed mechanical and 4-speed automatic transmission, while cars with a 2-liter engine only automatic machines. In total, there are four levels of equipment: 15F, 20C, 20S and 23S. The sedan body is indicated by the word SEDAN in the name of the configuration, and the SPORT hatchback. The poop brakes, 15-inch steel wheels and lack of leather braid on the steering wheel, and the configuration under the letter S are easily identified by a sports body kit are given out the poel version of 15f.
All versions of Axel can optionally be equipped with a LCD display and a navigation system. In addition, there are options not offered in other countries. For example, additional devices, spacers of the front racks, rear -view mirrors with repeaters of rotation indicators, door -backs lighting, rear view chamber, etc.
Well, in general, cars from this region, just as brought from America, did not gain particular popularity among domestic buyers. And not so much because of the location of the steering wheel, but for the reason that at home there is something to choose from.
The editors thank the owners of the owners of Mazda 3 (www.mazda3-club.ru) for help in organizing the filming.

 

 

Source: The magazine "Driving"