Mazda North American Operations unveiled an updated and revised version of the MAZDA3 4-Door i and s sedan and 5-Door s at the 2006 Greater New York International Auto Show. MAZDA3 is the company's best-selling vehicle in North America, and has been a hit with customers and media alike.

2006 Mazda Mazda3

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  • Segment: Array
  • Horsepower: 156@650
  • Torque: 4500
  • Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic

2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe
  • Engine/Motor: 4-stroke, four-cylin
  • Horsepower: 325@0
  • Torque: 4250
  • Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
 When MAZDA3 launched in Spring 2003, it forced customers to rethink what was possible in a C-segment vehicle, as it offered exhilarating driving performance, emotional styling and high levels of craftsmanship unseen before in this price and size class. The revised model takes these attributes to a new level, offering improved torque characteristics for both engines, exterior styling enhancements and fit-and-finish and interior trim revisions.

Two body styles, two personalities


Common features for both the 4-Door s sedan (fitted with the 2.3-liter engine) and 5-Door s (on which the 2.3-liter engine is standard) include a body-color front grille and a redesigned front bumper with square fog lamps. The 4-Door s sedan now employs LEDs for the rear combination lamps. In addition, 16- and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels have been redesigned to both accentuate the aluminum alloy look and convey an image of stability.

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Both the 4-Door s sedan and 5-Door s have a more athletic look: the 4-Door promotes a feeling f stability, while the 5-Door is the sportiest model in the MAZDA3 lineup and exudes a youthful personality.

Interior design


Particular attention was paid to revising interior quality on all models. The 2.0-liter 4-Door i sedan features t wo interior colors: beige and black. Both interior color packages receive newly designed white gauges and a zebra-striped wood-finish dash trim. The 2.3-liter s models with black interior and blackout-type gauges include a decorative insert finished with a hairline treatment in the dash. L eather seating surfaces are available as an option for all s models, and new for 2007 on select exterior colors is a gray cloth interior.

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Matured powertrain line up


The engine lineup for the MAZDA3 continues to be the MZR 2.0-liter for i models and MZR 2.3-liter on s models, both P-ZEV compliant in California-emission states, Tier 2 Bin 5 in Federal states. All horsepower ratings are now compliant with new SAE measuring standards, with t he 2.0-liter engine producing 148 hp (144 hp in P-ZEV trim) at 6,500 rpm* and maximum torque of 135 lb-ft (132lb-ft in PZEV trim) at 4,500 rpm*. The 2.3-liter engine now produces 156 hp (151hp in P-ZEV trim) of maximum power at 6,500 rpm* and maximum torque of 150 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm (149 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm in P-ZEV trim)*.

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Both 2.0- and 2.3-liter engines continue to employ a high-accuracy electronic throttle control, along with sequential valve timing (S‑VT). Optimal adjustment of the engine's intake valve operation in response to running conditions achieves high charging efficiency. Together with a variable induction system ( VIS), this allows the engine to achieve powerful torque throughout the whole rev range.

A f ive‑speed manual transmission remains standard on all models . Also carrying-over is the availability of Sport AT automatic transmissions for the both the 2.0-liter (four-speed) and 2.3-liter (five-speed) and both have functions that allow the driver to sequentially shift gears up or down.

Further evolution of Mazda3 acclaimed body and chassis


MAZDA3 ’s body shell has been upgraded by bolstering local rigidity . Front suspension mountings are joined to the fender frame by brackets, and the number 1 tunnel member connecting the transmission tunnel on the body’s underside now extends to the left and right frame side members. These arrangements result in an even stiffer, safer body and even sportier handling and ride control.

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The MacPherson strut front suspension has improved damper performance and has been tuned to improve steering response and reduce understeer. The multi‑link rear suspension receives the same performance revisions, ensuring improved rear‑end stability during high‑speed cornering. In addition , the revised bumpers mean superior aerodynamics contribute to better fuel economy , improved high‑speed acceleration and better overall stability.

New interior features


Both 4-Door sedan and 5-Door have newly added rear armrests with integrated cup holders for rear seat occupants. For the 4-Door sedan, rear cargo space side and end trim have been modified to allow large loads to be loaded with ease. A trunk lid recess on top of the bumper has been added to make it easier to open the trunk lid.

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Audio systems have been upgraded with an auxiliary audio input and 12-volt power outlets are now standard for all models, providing the driver or passenger the option of bringing their own portable audio player to enjoy their favorite music in the car.

High levels of safety


Unchanged – but still class-leading – four‑wheel disc brakes with ventilated discs in the front and solid discs in the rear form the basis for a comprehensive active safety system . Four-wheel ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution ( EBD ) with brake assist are standard on s models and are optional on i models . Dynamic stability control (DSC) and traction-control are newly available for s models .

Passive safety systems feature a rigid body shell that provides exceptional collision safety. For occupant protection, front dual airbags are standard, and seat-mounted side and roof-mounted curtain airbags are available as well. In addition, impact‑absorbing trim on the steering column minimizes injury to the driver’s knees and a collapsible brake pedal helps reduce the risk of lower leg injury in the event of a frontal collision .

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Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

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Model Lineup

Two engines are available, both four-cylinders. Mazda 3s models come with the larger, more powerful 2.3-liter engine, and are available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. The Mazda 3i available only as a four-door sedan comes with the smaller, 2.0-liter engine.

The Mazda 3i 4-Door sedan ($13,710) comes with wind-up windows and manual door locks, four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio, tilt and telescope steering wheel with audio controls, 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65HR15 tires, side repeater lights, and a stainless steel exhaust system. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, a four-speed automatic transmission ($900) is optional. Air conditioning is optional ($880) and comes with a pollen filter.

The 3i Touring sedan ($15,990) comes standard with air conditioning with the pollen filter, plus power windows, locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry; cruise control; a height-adjustable driver's seat; and six-speaker audio; and 16-inch cast aluminum wheels with more aggressive 205/55HR16 tires.

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The Mazda 3s sedan ($16,880) and 5-Door hatchback ($17,370) come with the more powerful engine; all of the i-Touring equipment, plus anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); variable-intermittent windshield wipers; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; brighter interior upholstery and trim; electroluminescent gauges that adjust for intensity; and delayed courtesy lights. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a five-speed automatic is optional ($950).

The 3s Touring sedan and hatchback list the same manufacturer's suggested retail price ($17,615). They start with all 3s equipment and add side-impact and side-curtain airbags; side-sill extensions; and 205/50VR17 tires on 17-inch alloy wheels.

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The 3s Grand Touring sedan and hatchback ($19,165) add heated leather seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, xenon headlamps with automatic on/off, rain-sensing front windshield wipers, a tire-pressure monitor, and a more sophisticated security system.

An option package ($890) combining a power glass sunroof with a six-CD changer is available for 3i Touring, 3s, and 3s Touring. For the 3s Grand Touring only, Mazda packages the sunroof and six-CD changer with a 222-watt Bose premium sound system ($1335). DVD-based satellite navigation ($1750) is also available on 3s Grand Touring only. Leather seating is available ($590) on 3s Touring. Spoilers, cargo mats, fog lights, stereo upgrades, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with Homelink are available as dealer-installed accessories.

Safety features include dual front airbags that sense the driver's position and the weight of the front passenger. Side-impact and side-curtain airbags are standard on 3s Touring and 3s Grand Touring. Optional safety packages add the additional airbags to the 3s ($245) and full airbag protection and ABS to the 3i ($395). ABS with EBD is standard on all 3s models.

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Both the 3i and 3s are available as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV) in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York. The no-cost option trades 5-7 horsepower for significant reductions in emissions. All Mazda 3 models meet Tier II Bin 5 Federal standards for near-zero evaporative emissions.

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Test drives impressions

The larger, more powerful 2.3-liter engine that comes with the Mazda 3s has plenty of spirit, but you need to work the manual shifter to get the full benefit of it. It makes 160 horsepower, but it is, after all, a normally aspirated (not turbocharged) four-cylinder, so there's not a ton of torque at low rpm. At 1000 rpm it generates only 120 pound-feet, which climbs to 140 at 3000 and peaks at 150 at a relatively high 4500 rpm. Be prepared to downshift to accelerate suddenly, either with the manual five-speed gearbox or the five-speed automatic.

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Open the door and you'll be greeted by an instrument panel that would look at home in Mazda's racy RX-8 sports coupe. The instrument panel features three deep bins, with the tachometer and speedometer pointing straight down at the 6 o'clock position at rest-very sporty. The idea comes from racing where you want to have the higher rpm on the tach in your line of sight.

Redline is 6500 rpm, but the engine is happy zooming to 7000. The 16-valve head is quite sophisticated, with variable valve timing and a variable induction system that optimizes intake efficiency and torque. The block is aluminum, there's a cam chain rather than a belt, and the exhaust manifold is stainless steel. The engine is very smooth and quiet at consistent freeway speeds, and has a nice sporty sound when it's revving under acceleration. The 2.3-liter Mazda 3 with the manual transmission rates an EPA-estimated 26/32 miles per gallon City/Highway.

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The MAZDA3 is built on a platform that's shared with Volvo's S40 sedan and V50 wagon, as well as Ford's European Focus. The result is a very stout chassis-a whopping 40 percent stiffer than the Protége-that's designed to give a smooth, quiet ride with the responsive performance you'd expect from a premium European brand. That you get the very same goodness in the MAZDA3 is a wonderful bonus for buyers in the know.

For 2006, Mazda has adapted variable valve timing and variable-length intake runners to the smaller, 2.0-liter engine as well. The spec sheet shows a why-bother gain of only 2 horsepower (from 148 to 150, both at 6500 rpm), and no change in rated torque (still 135 pound-feet at 4500 rpm), but those are only the peak number. The biggest benefit of both variable valve timing and a variable intake is usually a flatter torque curve while maintaining good peak horsepower. So while we haven't driven a 2006 Mazda 3i (or even seen a torque curve for one on paper), we suspect that that's the case here. And if so, it could mean a palpable gain in performance, across a broad rpm range, that is much larger than those 2 horsepower would suggest. EPA estimates for the smaller engine are 28/35 city/highway mpg with manual transmission, 26/34 with the automatic.

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The standard five-speed manual transmission shifts beautifully, especially the upshifts, which were almost as smooth as an automatic, with no real driver effort. Mazda worked hard on designing the synchronizers and cable linkage for reduced friction.

Mazda now calls the optional automatic transmissions Sport A/T. (Last year it was Activematic.) Either way, it's a fancy name, but these are fancy transmissions. You can just put the lever in Drive and go, but they also feature a manual mode programmed for quick shifting. Left to shift on their own, they're smart, maintaining a gear going downhill for engine braking or uphill to reduce hunting. Sport A/T has four gear ratios when ordered on 3i, and five ratios with 3s.

Handling is quick and nimble, making the Mazda 3 fun to drive. It's a blast on winding country roads. It's also sharp, true and steady in emergency lane-change maneuvers. Mazda's Electro-Hydraulic Power-Assisted Steering (EHAPS) minimizes drag on the engine compared to a conventional belt-driven hydraulic system. Mazda claims it also reduces noise, vibration, and harshness. The Ford group in England designed the Mazda 3 suspension, but the final tuning was done by Mazda at its long, rolling test track in Hiroshima.

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Mazda 3s models with the 2.3-liter engine come with slighter larger brakes than those on the 2.0-liter 3i. We found the brakes on the 3s to be quite effective and sensitive; a mere light touch on the brake pedal around town works nicely.

The 3 is certainly great fun to drive. Power is supplied in the 5-door (and the 4-door s) by Mazda's 2.3-liter 4-cylinder that pumps out a very respectable 160 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. This is the same 4-cylinder found in the larger MAZDA6 and, while it gives the larger sibling plenty of zip, it really makes the smaller MAZDA3 fly. This is one of those engines that feels good throughout the entire rev range. Ultra-smooth, there's lots of low-end power to make commuting a breeze, but give it the spurs and, thanks to variable valve timing, you get a lovely lunge to the redline accompanied by a delightful snarl through the exhaust.