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2007
MAZDASPEED3: KICKING ASPHALT AND TAKING NAMES
UPDATE - Dec 07, 2006 09:30
Mazdaspeed 3 Wins Edmunds' Inside Line Sport Compact Comparison
Test SANTA MONICA, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Dec. 7, 2006 Inside
Line, Edmunds' high-speed online car magazine, today announced that
the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 won its latest comparison test, which is
described in full at 2006 Sport Compact Comparison Test,
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=117762.
The Inside Line editorial team recently compared six sport
compact cars; each is small, sporty, practical, costs under $25,000
and has a four-cylinder engine. The vehicles in the test were:
-- Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged, with a sports performance
package, a 205-horsepower engine and an Edmunds.com True
Market Value(R)(a) of $21,059
-- Honda Civic Si, with summer tires, a 197-horsepower engine and
an Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) of $21,085
-- Mazdaspeed 3, with a 263-horsepower engine and an Edmunds.com
True Market Value(R) of $24,282
-- Mini Cooper S, with limited-slip differential, a
168-horsepower engine and an Edmunds.com True Market Value(R)
of $21,950
-- Subaru Impreza WRX TR, with a 230-horsepower engine and an
Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) of $23,403
-- Volkswagen GTI, with a 200-horsepower engine and an
Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) of $21,749
(a) The Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) price is Edmunds.com's
determination of the current average national base dealer retail
price, unadjusted for region, options or color. Please visit
http://www.edmunds.com/products/tmv
for more information.
"The Mazdaspeed 3 had the full house," reports Edmunds' Inside
Line Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot. "Its speed and its
practical five-door hatchback body made it the fastest car in the
test and also the easiest package to live with. Put simply, it's
impossible to go this fast, have this much fun and be more practical
for less money."
Jacquot continues, "Subaru's fast, sideways-driving WRX TR
finished a distant second place, but on certain roads proved to be
more fun than any other car in the test. Honda's smart Civic Si
finished third and impressed us with its laser-precise controls that
truly bring the car to life during hard driving. The Mini Cooper S
landed in fourth place despite brilliant dynamics and styling. VW's
softly sprung GTI earned fifth place and the supercharged Chevy
Cobalt SS finished sixth among this competitive group."
Vehicle Rankings from the 2006 Sport Compact Comparison Test
1. Mazdaspeed 3
2. Subaru Impreza WRX TR
3. Honda Civic Si
4. Mini Cooper S
5. Volkswagen GTI
6. Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
To read the review and to get more information on the Edmunds'
Inside Line editors' evaluation and rankings, visit 2006 Sport
Compact Comparison Test.
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2006. - The 2007 MAZDASPEED3 is one of the
fastest and quickest front-wheel drive cars in the world. With a
zero-to-60 time under six-seconds and an electronically limited
top-speed of 155 mph, MAZDASPEED3 is the class of the
sport-compact “pocket-rocket” crowd.
The
MAZDASPEED3 features a compact, lightweight five-door body
paired with a 263-horsepower 2.3-liter DISI (Direct Injection Spark
Ignition) Turbo engine, giving it a best-in-class power-to-weight
ratio and making it one of the highest performing front-wheel drive
cars in the world.
In
2003, Mazda revolutionized the compact sedan segment with the launch
of the MAZDA3. European sophistication, high-performance,
advanced technology and safety are the ingredients that make MAZDA3
the company’s best-selling model globally. While more than
one-million vehicles have been built, the MAZDA3 continues
to set sales records and has virtually no incentive support.
MAZDASPEED3 takes everything that made MAZDA3 a
success, and bumps it up a notch – more style, more power, more
handling, more value.
"The MAZDASPEED3 is a pure enthusiasts’ dream, made for the
performance buyer who wants it all for a price that doesn’t take it
all,” said Tatsuo Maeda, Program Manager for development of the
MAZDA 3 series. “Sport-tuned exhaust, turbocharged motor,
MAZDASPEED sport independent suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels,
unique roof spoiler, sport-inspired interior – the MAZDASPEED3
delivers a true drivers car.”
To
create this new benchmark, Maeda-san’s engineering team focused on
three requirements:
•
Driving Fun: Formidable performance from the 2.3-liter DISI
Turbo engine, along with sharp, responsive handling
•
Ownership Delight: Advanced but restrained styling that
suggests high performance without exaggeration and a tasteful
interior to match
•
Everyday, User-Friendly Convenience: Driving pleasure with
everyday functionality and comfort
POWER AND HANDLING
Under the hood of the MAZDASPEED3 is a version of the turbocharged
and intercooled 2.3-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline
engine that powers the highly regarded MAZDASPEED6 sport sedan and
the CX-7 crossover SUV. Engineered to deliver high performance at
all speeds, along with low exhaust emissions and excellent fuel
economy, Mazda’s MZR 2.3 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition)
turbo-charged engine produces 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280
lb-ft torque at 3,000 rpm in the MAZDASPEED3.
Key
engine components include aluminum block and head construction with
forged steel internal components — crankshaft and connecting rods —
for long-lasting durability, while balance shafts help eliminate
noise and vibration. A large air-to-air intercooler and direct fuel
injection cool temperature inside the cylinder.
Shifting gasoline’s change in state from liquid to vapor from the
intake manifold to the cylinder provides a substantial cooling
effect. This low charge-temperature permits use of a high 9.5:1
compression ratio, which boosts low- and mid-range torque by
approximately 10-percent over conventional turbo engines. This
compression ratio also contributes to the car’s frugal use of fuel.
The
DISI Turbo engine is engineered to achieve three aspects of
performance that are difficult to realize with conventional manifold
injection engines: good fuel-economy and low exhaust-gas emissions;
powerful acceleration thanks to the turbocharger; and a full and
flat torque curve throughout the rev range for exceptional engine
response.
Engineers also paid close attention to the exhaust sound of the
MAZDASPEED3 in order to further increase the driving enjoyment of
the car. Its throaty timber under acceleration from a standing start
is music to ears of driving enthusiasts. Once the engine hits 4,000
rpm, the sound changes to the mid-frequency range to further
underscore the car’s sportiness.
SOPHISTICATED TORQUE MANAGEMENT
To
increase drivability and minimize torque steer and wheel spin in
what is a very powerful front-wheel drive car, a sophisticated
torque-management system combines with equal-length hardened
driveshafts and a cone-type Super LSD limited slip differential.
Under the watchful eye of an advanced powertrain control module (PCM),
the waste-gate bleeds off excess boost to control the torque spikes
in first and second gear that would result in wheel spin, providing
full boost only in third gear and above. Also, because the throttle
is a drive-by-wire system, the PCM can control how quickly the
throttle body reacts to driver inputs, smoothing intake volume to
further minimize torque spikes. This results in different torque
characteristics in first, second and third (and above) gears,
minimizing torque-steer and wheel-spin and maximizing traction and
acceleration.
Torque control is also linked to the steering angle, limiting power
delivery when the front wheels are turned. A Super LSD cone-type
limited-slip differential also minimizes wheel-spin on the inner
wheel during hard cornering for smooth, predictable power delivery.
Mazda also fits a similar Super LSD unit to the rotary-powered RX-8
sports car and the high-performance MAZDASPEED6 sport
sedan.
SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The
new MAZDASPEED3 employs a six-speed manual transmission shared with
the MAZDASPEED6, allowing the driver to maximize the engine’s
potential. A compact three-shaft design made it possible to keep the
overall length the same as the five-speed manual transmission used
in the standard MAZDA 3. Triple-cone synchronizers for the first
three gears, along with double-cone synchronizers for fourth gear,
ensure precise and clean shift characteristics and low-effort
shifting through clearly defined shift travel. In addition,
MAZDASPEED3's six-speed transmission uses wide gear ratios to fully
exploit the wide torque band of the direct-injection turbocharged
engine, while allowing quiet and comfortable highway cruising.
HIGH BODY RIGIDITY AND SPECIALLY TUNED CHASSIS
Like the 2007 MAZDA 3, the new MAZDASPEED3 features a body with
increased rigidity. The MAZDASPEED version is based on the MAZDA 3
5-Door hatchback, with local reinforcements added to produce a body
sufficiently stiff to stand up to the demands of 263 horsepower.
Suspension and brakes have also been specially tuned.
Body rigidity has been increased through several measures, including
a reinforced front cowl that is joined directly to the top section
of the front damper mount, assuring the same rigidity as a car
fitted with a strut tower bar (which would not have been possible
because of the placement of the intercooler above the engine). This
prevents deformation of the front suspension towers under cornering
load and maintains correct suspension geometry. Underneath the car,
a large closed-section brace is employed to reinforce the floor
tunnel which improves the torsional rigidity of the whole body. At
the rear, a gusset added to the bottom of the rear suspension towers
maintains the correct suspension geometry under all cornering loads.
Both the MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear
suspension have higher spring rates and larger diameter stabilizer
bars than the standard MAZDA 3. Damping force on both compression
and rebound is raised approximately six-times at low piston speed,
and about 1.3 times at moderate piston speed. Ride height is 10 mm
lower than a standard MAZDA3. In combination with the
reinforced springs and stabilizer bars, this produces 60 percent
more roll stiffness than the standard MAZDA 3.
ENGINEERED AERODYNAMICS
Special attention was paid to achieve aerodynamic performance that
supports stable straight running, lane changing and overtaking at
high speeds. A wide variety of underfloor parts, including flaps
ahead of the front and rear wheels to control airflow and a full
undertray below the engine, were employed to achieve the superior
aerodynamic performance targets, and the result is a Cd of 0.32.
Clean aerodynamics also deliver a car that is quiet and comfortable
to drive at all speeds.
MAZDASPEED DESIGN DNA
MAZDASPEED3 's styling pursues a look of strength and solidity in a
design that conveys the car's dynamic performance. Its form is
characterized by boldly flared front fenders and effective use of
strong edges on the hood. These combine with the functional forms of
the bumpers, spoilers and other parts developed for aerodynamic
performance. Overall, MAZDASPEED3's design is sporty and strong,
befitting a high-performance model, without exaggerated styling
cues.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Exterior designers of the MAZDASPEED3 set a goal to communicate the
car’s high-performance character with a design that is stylish and
sporty, yet subtle. While the car remains true to the basic form of
the MAZDA 3 5-Door hatchback (which is part of the MAZDASPEED
credo), there is a clear emphasis on the car’s sporty nature. Front
fenders are widened to provide clearance for the large tires and to
evoke a well-planted stance. To forge a uniform identity for the
MAZDASPEED series, two design elements are shared with the
MAZDASPEED6: strong lines flowing back along the hood from the upper
part of the five-point grille, which is also used as the air intake
for the intercooler; and the aerodynamically shaped front bumper and
large lower grille serving as the air intake for the radiator. An
athletic yet elegant side view is created by aerodynamic side skirts
and 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels.
The
rear view is also an expression of power, characterized by the
design of the rear bumper, the large-diameter tailpipe and the roof
spoiler with integrated LED brake lights.
The
MAZDASPEED3 is offered in four exterior colors. Besides black,
silver and red, a unique Cosmic Blue was specially developed for the
MAZDASPEED3.
INTERIOR DESIGN
MAZDASPEED 3 ’s cockpit is a harmonious synthesis of
functional sportiness and stylish comfort. A high-quality black
finish sets the tone of the interior, accented by red stitching on
the seats, steering wheel, and the shift boot to create a sporty yet
refined look. The instrument panel includes a matte black decorative
insert panel finished with a hairline treatment to underscore the
vehicle’s personality. A leather-wrapped shift knob, aluminum pedals
and stainless steel scuff plates further contribute to the sporty,
high quality feel that distinguishes MAZDASPEED models, while front
sport seats with the MAZDASPEED logo – developed specifically for
the MAZDASPEED3 – on the seatbacks provide firm support and
comfort.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE BRAKING SYSTEM TO MATCH THE POWER
Large diameter four-wheel disc brakes, vented in front, and a large
diameter master cylinder provide powerful and stable braking.
Hardware is larger than the standard MAZDA3 fare, with the calipers
reinforced to minimize flex and the resulting loss of braking feel.
Standard equipment includes four-wheel-ABS, electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) with brake assist and dynamic stability control
(DSC), all of which provide active safety in a range of driving
scenarios.
For
protection during collisions, MAZDASPEED3 employs the unique Mazda
Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System to deliver
a robust and safe body structure. Inside the cabin, dual frontal
airbags, as well as seat-mounted side and roof-mounted curtain
airbags, are all standard. A collapsible brake pedal and steering
column structure reduce the risk of injury to the driver's lower
legs.
The MAZDASPEED Family
MAZDASPEED3 is the fourth vehicle to carry the MAZDASPEED name in
the U.S., following the 2003 and 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protegé, 2004 and
2005 MAZDASPEED MX-5 and 2006 MAZDASPEED6. This will be the first
time that two MAZDASPEED-branded vehicles will be sold in North
American dealers at the same time. MAZDASPEED3 is called MAZDA 3 MPS
– Mazda Performance Series – in Europe and MAZDASPEED Axela in
Japan. MAZDASPEED3 is sold through authorized
MAZDASPEED dealers across the U.S.
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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