2007 Mazda 3
Wednesday, November 29th, 2006
The Mazda3 changed the way people thought about compact cars when it was launched as a 2004 model. It became a premium automobile, exciting to drive, styled adventurously, and fully equipped with luxury features.
There’s nothing austere, basic or cheap about it. For 2007, Mazda has upgraded the appearance of its s-model sedan and s-model five-door hatchback with a body-color grille, a redesigned front bumper with square foglights, and a new look for both the 16- and 17-inch, cast-aluminum wheels.
Detail changes also improve interior appearance, and leather is now optional for all s-models, both sedan and five-door hatchback. An auxiliary audio input with 12-volt power outlet is now standard for all models, making them iPod-friendly.
Upgrades for 2007 also include some changes to improve the driving personality of the Mazda3. 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.
Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist are standard equipment for all s-models and optional for the i-model sedan. Traction control and stability control are now available for both the s-model sedan and five-door. All models are front-wheel drive.
The Mazdaspeed3 joins the model lineup for 2007. A true high-performance car featuring a 263-hp, turbocharged, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, the Mazdaspeed3 joins a group of extreme sports sedans that includes the Honda Civic Type S, Mitsubishi Evo MK IX, and Subaru Impreza WRX.
It was built in Japan, yet beneath the skin you’ll find evidence of engineering from around the world. Volvo developed the body. Ford contributed the suspension design and sophisticated electronics. And Mazda engineered the four-cylinder engines and then tuned the complete car at its test track in Japan.
The sedan and hatchback versions look quite different. The sedan has the traditional appearance of a four-door, five-passenger car. The five-door hatchback is like the high-fashion station wagons from European manufacturers, offering the practicality of the five-door configuration with an emphasis on a premium driving experience, which means plenty of luxury features plus plenty of driving enjoyment.
The Mazda3 sedan comes with three levels of available equipment: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The entry-level i-model is available with a fuel-efficient, 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the sporty s-model is equipped with a sophisticated 156-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder. The Mazda3 five-door hatchback comes standard with the 156-hp 2.3-liter engine. The five-door also comes in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim.
The Mazda3i Sport sedan ($14,390) comes with the 2.0-liter engine with five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. It comes with 195/65HR-15 all-season tires. It does not come with power windows or power door locks, yet it includes audio controls mounted on the steering wheel for the standard AM/FM/CD audio system.[NewCar]
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