Magic motoring with Mazda
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Tuesday February 09 2010
SLEEK and good looking, the new Mazda3 is one of the best-looking cars on our roads and given its fuel-sipping capabilities and bulletproof credentials is also one of the most able.
Mazda says the 3 is for 'those who think differently, those who are individual, and those who naturally stand out from the crowd. It's quite simply, striking'.
Stand out from the crowd we might, and we might too like to think differently, but I would say the Mazda3 is a car with broad appeal - in fact it's hard to fault it. It's motoring magic.
The car came with a full tank of diesel for its three-day road test and it's a testament to its lean Green powerplant that I returned it to Mazda dealer Mattie Grannell with half a tank of fuel still in, despite a drive to Dublin and back, with plenty of other stops in between.
While I didn't have the opportunity to fill up after the weekend, the fuel computer showed consumption of more than 60 mpg and I have no reason to doubt that.
The Mazda3 is sculpted and aerodynamic with optimised air intake surface behind the front grille area, its centre floor cover and specially designed body elements, making it one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in its class
The Mazda weight reduction programme enhances driving performance and improves fuel economy producing a car with c02 emissions of just 119g/km. Under the current taxation band this is categorised as A, meaning an annual road tax of just ¤104
The I-stop systems enable quick restarts and reduce fuel consumption
On the road, the Mazda3 performed as well as it looked. It was comfortable and easy to drive, well instrumented and equipped with all the nice touches that we have come to expect from one of the world's top manufacturers.
Standard on all models are ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA) Dynamic Stability control (DSC) with Traction Control System (TCS) Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS)
Prices for the Mazda3 range start at ¤21,115 for the 1.6 5 Door Comfort to ¤29,615 for the 2.0 litre, five-door Z-Sport.
The model I road-tested was fitted with Mazda's excellent and fine-performing 1.6 litre diesel engine.
Mazda is currently offering a scrappage incentive offer, where customers can save up to ¤3,500 on select Mazda 3s.
