http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...n=awdailydrive

Summary: they like it.

 

Cool. My GF has a new Mazda 3S, nicely equipped, with the 2.5 and I must say it destroys the brand new Toyota Corolla S (pretty decent actually but not in the same class as the 3S) rental I am driving now and my previous rentals in the last month, the new Hyundai Elantra (broke down) and Ford Focus (just lame).

 

didn't know the US-Spec Mazda3 got "only" 12:1

hmm, that explains why the US spec hp numbers are lower than the rest.

Are they sure they got this right tho? about this whole "Americans put Regular gas all the time". I think it's actually the opposite, people put Premium all the time, even on that pos Geo Metro. yea I seen ppl do it.

 

SKYACTIV-G 2.0 engine specifications
Type: water-cooled inline 4-cyliner DOHC 16-valve
Displacement: 1.997 liters
Bore x stroke: 83.5mm x 91.2mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Max. power (net): 113kW (154ps) @6,000rpm
Max. torque (net): 194Nm (19.8 kgf/m) @4,100 rpm
Fuel delivery: in-cylinder direct injection
Fuel: regular gasoline

 

Interesting article. I did actually read the whole thing. This Skyactiv is actually top of the line. Need to read more about Skyactiv for sure.

 

Same as Australian 3, except we also get i-Stop.
But because this 3 does not have the 4:2:1 Exhaust Manifold, the higher (14:1) compression ratio 2.0L SA can't be used.

When the CX-5 comes out, a different matter with the 4:2:1 Exhaust Manifold it should have the 14:1 CR SA Engine.

Today, I read (on the run), a WHEELS mag on the CX-5, having driven one they are VERY, VERY impressed, excellent Chassis/Platform, and in their opinion when it arrives here in the first 1/4 of 2012...The CX-5 WILL BE a game changer and they are tipping a run away success!!...

 

Would you rather drive the Mazda3 2.5 or the SkyActive 3? Is the 2.5 smooth? I'm just wondering if there's any reason to get the 2.5 over the SkyActiv now.

The broken Elantra was a 2011+? What broke?

 

I run whatever octane is cheapest. That usually means 87 octane. I always have. When I've driven up north I'll usually fill up with 89 over 87 but that's because it's the cheaper grade up there. I absolutely refuse to use the top grade since I have nothing that can benefit from it.

 

One thing I noticed on the SA Mazda 3 here was Mazda are using Toyo Tire (tyres) on the 16" rims..
Can't remember, I guess Mazda has used Toyo for this size rim on their cars, instead of Bridgestones..?

Does Bridgestone own or make Toyo?

 

No, is an independent company, Osaka-based. I think that they have a big agreement with Mazda on OEM tires.

currently my MPS is mounting 4 Toyo T-1 sport and runs very well, i must say.....

Sumitomo (maker of dunlop tires) is one of the biggers stakeholder of Mazda BTW....

 

well, maybe it's a North East thing then.

cuz every fuxking time I fuel up, I see people put Premium in it. NO MATTER WHAT CAR!

people look at me like I'm a moron when I put 87 into my Mazda3, what do they know really, there is no reason to put premium when it doesn't need it, it's the same as throwing money down the drain.

my Bro's FX35 needs premium. so he is forced to used it. lol

Toyo tires performs ok, but their sidewall freaking sucks. had 2 blown outs for no reason. dump them and never look back.

 

Yes, I thought they (Toyo) were a separate tyre company.

I know Mazda also has a supply agreement with Bridgestone.

Many years ago Mazda also went from Bridgestones to Yokohama for the last few model years of the RX-4 and 929...they were a balancing nightmare.

I think they used Yoko's on the FD RX-7 for a while didn't they?

Sumitomo in one form or another has been a very long running stakeholder in Mazda, through good times and bad.

BTW Matt, how is that Euro Financiers (Debt) meeting coming along today?

 

This happens, but less often than those who put regular gas in primium-required cars. The European scene is evolving in the premium-only direction for a couple of reasons. First is that there still remain a significant number of small gas stations with only 2 tanks. Since diesels are so common, one has to be diesel, with the other premium to cover all bases.

The second effect has to do with the incrimental cost of premium over regular, which is pretty much fixed at $0.20/gallon. A higher-compression premium-only engine can be ~5% more efficient than a regular-gas motor. With $1/gallon gas, paying 20% more for premium makes no sense. At $4/gallon, it's a wash. At $8/gallon, common in the rest of the world, paying $0.20/gallon extra for 5% better mileage, is the cheaper way to go.

YMMV

 

For Matt..MPS3 or MS3 keeps it's original front...no Kodo...EPC's are rarely incorrect.
BUT NO SKYACTIV FOR EUROPE.......YET! Only MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo and MZR-CD 2.2 Diesel
From what I can see..yep. confirmed NO SA in Europe with this press-release.
What are they waiting for?

New Colour's..
Autumn Bronze Mica
Graphite Mica
Indigo Blue Mica

 

Good MotorTrend Drive..
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...g_first_drive/

Then something odd happened.
My driving companion's wife had a baby seven days earlier. A fellow L.A. native, he figured the baby slept all day anyway, and a man's gotta work. There we were, lost up in the Angeles National Forest, and he gets a message: something's wrong, wife and newborn are headed to the emergency room. There's a brief moment of silence before I offer that of course I'm willing to bail out on the program and get him to Pasadena. We set off and I call a Mazda engineer to explain why I'm aborting their program. For the next 40 miles I don't go below 80 mph, and once we got out of the canyons and onto the freeway I rarely went below 100 mph. The good news? His wife and son are totally fine (just a scare) and the Mazda3's trip computer showed 26.7 mpg.

Impressive MPG at that speed!

 

I don't think any Mazda presently being sold is considered 'Kodo' in styling. The CX-5 will be the first as far as I know. I am impressed with the facelift on the 3 though; very racing inspired, sporty, very sporty in the front bumper with a little less smile. I wish I could afford to pay cash for a new car now.

Paul.

 

Very frustrating trim and options packaging for the SkyActiv

If I want to shift myself, I can't get the Bose. Or the keyless thing. Or better headlights. Or any of the neat stuff really.

And I don't want half the stuff you're stuck with in the Grand Touring. Just some of it.

Sigh. Come on Mazda, be zoom zoom! I want a manual Skyactiv with cloth (grippy and warm) seats, the Bose stereo, the HID headlights and the 17" wheels (or at least less retro-hideous than those 16" ones).

I was so sad to see the Touring trim go for the RX-8. Back in 2004, I was able to get all the meaningful goodies (the Bose, HIDs, LSD, DSC and TC) without most of the luxury fluff with my 8. I'd love to see that again with the SkyActiv3.

 

The Mazda 3 facelift's Front Fog Light (Left and Right) area is Kodo-ish..

Ash

 

Just bought one. Got the 2.0L, it still has decent power and amazing gas milage for a non-hybrid, Averaging 33mpg 60%city 40% highway. So far its been a great commuter car, and still fun to drive.

 

Matt..

Been told by my Dealer Principal friend in Germany (Frey-autos) (Walter Frey) that they are getting Skyactiv in Mazda 3 next year (summer)....just what I thought...wrong time of year to launch in Europe and gives Mazda some breathing/production space.

Mazda only started SA Engine production in July.

 

Thank you, Ash.....

You are linked to Herr Frey? maybe your principal have helped Frey to find his rare Mazda R360 , it was in Mazda magazine an article about the find in Australia of his 360 ...

 

Yes, Walter is a great guy...we have regular contact...I have some new old rotary starters of his here....without any doubt he has the best private collection of Mazda's in the world outside of Mazda.

He speaks great English and actually lived- worked here in Australia in the 1960's....@ VW Dealership.

He keeps pestering me to go to Germany...I probably will one day.

 

Friend is probably going to get a 2012 iTouring hatchback with Skyactiv and 6-speed manual.