Mazda Axela

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Mazda Axela/Mazda3

Manufacturer	Mazda
Also called	Mazda3
Production	2003–present
Assembly	Hofu, Japan
Predecessor	Mazda Familia/323/Protegé
Class	Compact
Body style	5-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive
Engine	1.4 L MZR I4 1.5 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.3 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZ-CD I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2640 mm (103.9 in)
Length	Sedan: 4540 mm (178.7 in) Hatchback: 4485 mm (176.6 in)
Width	1755 mm (69.1 in)
Height	1465 mm (57.7 in)
Track	1530 mm (60.2 in) (front), 1513 mm (59.6 in) (rear)
Curb weight	1180-1315 kg (2600-2900 lb)
Related	Mazda Premacy/Mazda5 Ford Focus Volvo C30 Volvo S40/Volvo V50
Similar	Hyundai Elantra Nissan Tiida/Versa Toyota Corolla

Mazda3s 5-door hatchback

Mazda3 sedan

The Axela, or Mazda3 is a compact car manufactured by the Mazda Motor Corporation. The name "Mazda3" is used worldwide, but in Japan, Mazda's home market, it is the Axela. The Axela was introduced for the 2004 model year, replacing the Mazda Familia (323 or Protegé in export markets). The first car rolled off the assembly line on December 8, 2003. The Mazda3 is also the platform for the sport compact car called the Mazdaspeed 3.

The Axela has been very well-received in all markets, and in 2006 was the second best-selling car in Canada. Mazda is increasing production of the Axela at its Hofu 1 and 2 factories to meet heavy worldwide demand of over 300,000 units per year.

1 Design
2 Engines
3 Performance
- 3.1 Acceleration
4 Mazdaspeed3/Mazda3 MPS
5 2007 Mazda 3/Axela
6 2009
7 References
- 7.1 Sources
8 External links

[edit] Design

The Axela is based on Ford's global C1 platform, which was developed by Volvo and is shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Chassis development was carried out by Mazda and suspension designed by Ford. Based on the styling of the MX-Sportif concept car, the Axela is available in two body styles, a four-door sedan, marketed as "coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door hatchback, branded the Sport version in America and Japan.

Front suspension is by MacPherson struts, with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Rear suspension is a Ford-designed "E-link" multi-link suspension, with four locating links per wheel and an anti-roll bar, suspended on coil springs that are mounted inboard of the shock absorbers to reduce suspension intrusion into the cargo area. Disc brakes are standard at all four wheels, with 300 mm (11.8 in) discs front and 279 mm (11 in) discs rear; ABS and electronic brake force distribution are available or standard, depending on the model. Wheel and tire sizes vary with model, from 15 in on base models to option 17 in wheels on upper-level models.

When first introduced, American Mazda3 models were available in only two trim levels, i and s, with the 2.0 L and 2.3 L engines, respectively. Since then Mazda has introduced a proliferation of additional models under the Touring and Grand Touring labels. UK Mazda3s are offered in S, TS, TS2, and Sport models.

All Axela models except the European diesel-powered model use the inline-4 Mazda MZR engine, with various displacements and outputs depending on model and market. Transmissions are a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission; for the 2006 model year, a five-speed automatic became optional on models with the 2.3 L engine. This transmission has now been made standard on the 2.0 L engine in Japan (FWD models only), as part of a minor facelift which includes different front/rear bumper designs, new wheel designs and bodycolors, stiffened chassis, and better interior materials. It will be gradually released all over the globe as part of an effort to better match the new Honda Civic.

[edit] Engines

The Axela uses the following engines; all except the European diesel are Mazda MZR engines.

Japanese market (JIS ratings):

1.5 L: 113 bhp (83 kW), 104 lbf·ft (141 N·m)
2.0 L: 150 bhp (112 kW), 140 lbf·ft (190 N·m)
2.3 L: 178 bhp (133 kW), 155 lbf·ft (210 N·m)

European market (DIN ratings):

1.4 L: 84 (62 kW), 90 lbf·ft (122 N·m)
1.6 L: 105 bhp (77 kW), 107 lbf·ft (145 N·m)
2.0 L: 150 bhp (110 kW) and 138 lbf·ft (187 N·m)
1.6 L: Duratorq diesel: 109 bhp (80 kW), 177 lbf·ft (239 N·m)

American & Canadian markets (SAE net ratings):

2.0 L: 148 bhp (110 kW), 135 lbf·ft (183 N·m)
2.3 L: 160 bhp (117 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)

Philippine market (DIN ratings):

1.6 L: 110 bhp (78 kW), 107 lbf·ft (145 N·m)
2.0 L: 148 bhp (110 kW) and 138 lbf·ft (187 N·m)

Mazda changed the ratings for US Market 2007 2.3L engine models only

2.3 L: 156 bhp (116 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 Nm)

Australian market (ADR net ratings):

2.0 L: 145 bhp (108 kW), 134 lbf·ft (182 N·m)
2.3 L: 154 bhp (115 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)
2.3 L DISI MZR: 255 bhp (190 kW), 280 lbf·ft (380 N·m)

[edit] Performance

[edit] Acceleration

The 0 to 60 mph or 0 to 100 km/h acceleration times depend on the type of transmission. In general, the manual transmission is faster in acceleration (not just because it is lighter in weight, but for the relative inefficiency of the torque converter in the automatic compared to the clutch in the manual).

Official performance figures for the European Mazda3 1.4 S, the lowest-powered model, are 0-100 km/h in 14.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). Wheels magazine reported a 8.7 0-100km/h time for the Australian 2.0 model in its May 2004 issue. The 1.6 CiTD 80 KW (as sold in the Europe) with a five-speed manual does 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds and has top of 182 km/h (113 mph) according to the spec's.

In its test results for the 2004 Mazda3 5-door with the 2.3 litre engine, Car and Driver magazine reported a 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time of 7.4 seconds and a governor-limited top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph).

[edit] Mazdaspeed3/Mazda3 MPS

Main article: Mazdaspeed 3

Mazda unveiled the Mazda3 MPS at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in February. The same model will be sold in North America as the Mazdaspeed3 and as the Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan. Pricing is to start at US$ 22,835 (including destination) and it is designed to compete with the latest generation of hot hatches and sport compacts, including the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, and the new Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit GTI.

[edit] 2007 Mazda 3/Axela

2007 Mazda3 CiTD hatchback (Euro-spec), 109 bhp (80 kW), 177 lbs/ft (239 NM)

2007 US-spec Mazda3 s hatchback

2007 US-spec Mazda3 sedan

The Axela received a minor cosmetic facelift for the 2007 model year. The exterior changes are minimal, but extend to revised bumpers with the lower air intake opening resembling the shape of the traditional Mazda five-point face, a revised range of alloy wheels and several new interior colour combinations. The interior also has an audio jack and an improved keyless entry system. The 2007 model also include less visible changes. Reinforcements to the body shell improve overall chassis rigidity. The front dampers of the MacPherson strut suspension have been retuned to quicken steering response and reduce understeer, while the dampers of the multi-link rear suspension also have been retuned to match.

The front fasica has been updated with a "floating" foglight design and slightly revised front grill for the "s" trim level. Also, for the 2007 "grand touring" trim level, the rear tail-lights have been enhanced with a "clear on clear" lens setting or a more "glass-like" appearance with the clear tail lenses also featuring red LED brake lights. The LED brake lights are added to compete with the growing trend of higher-end vehicles that include LED tail lamps for a more visible and responsive light output.

Several new exterior colors are added as well, including different shades of blue and a purple color. The popular Titanium Gray color will also be replaced with a darker Galaxy Gray color. The bumper-to-bumper warranty will be reduced to 36 months / 36,000 miles, but there will be an increased powertrain warranty to 60 months / 60,000 miles (not in all markets). This is on par with other competitive manufacturers' warranty offerings.