Motor Authority - blog Tag: Axela

Mazda used last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show to debut the new 2010 Mazda3 Sedan, and then followed it with the reveal of the Hatchback model at the Bologna Motor Show just one month later. There is still one more variant of the Mazda3 in the works and it is set to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

The car is the sporty Mazdaspeed (MPS) model and it has now been revealed ahead of its official world debut. We can finally confirm that it will come with the same MZR 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the current model, with output pegged at 260hp (191kW) and 280lb-ft (380Nm) of torque. This is matched... Mazda used last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show to debut the new 2010 Mazda3 Sedan, and then followed it with the reveal of the Hatchback model at the Bologna Motor Show just one month later. There is still one more variant of the Mazda3 in the works and it is set to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The car is the sporty Mazdaspeed (MPS) model and it has now been revealed ahead of its official world debut. We can finally confirm that it will come with the same MZR 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the current model, with output pegged at 260hp (191kW) and 280lb-ft (380Nm) of torque. This is matched to a stiffer body, a suspension system with greater damping strength, Mazda's electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS), as well as specially tuned brakes. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 6.1 seconds and velocity tops out at 250km/h. A six-speed manual and FWD is fitted as standard. Fuel-consumption, meanwhile, comes in at 24mpg (9.7L/100km). The gear ratios in the compact, three-shaft gearbox have also been revised, with 2nd through 5th gear all getting slightly taller to make better use of the engine's torque. The new gear spacing and refined engine calibration are focused on providing more linear, seamless power delivery. The advanced torque management system, which minimizes torque steer by adjusting torque output based on gear position and steering angle, has also been recalibrated. The new gear ratios allow more of the engine's torque to be utilized in the lower gears while still keeping torque steer at a manageable level. Differentiating the Mazdaspeed from the regular Mazda3 lineup is a large hood scoop for the turbo, oversized air-intakes in the front bumper, a rear diffuser, large-diameter twin-exhaust pipes, 18in aluminum alloy wheels, and a chunky rear wing. Inside, there’s a driver-oriented dash, an LED highlighted boost gauge, bucket front seats, and exclusive black trim. The new Mazda3 Mazdaspeed will go on sale in Europe in the second quarter of the year and should reach the U.S. before the end of the year. The Japanese carmaker will also use this week’s Geneva event to unveil a Mazda3 with i-stop technology – a fuel-saving engine stop-start feature.2010 Mazda3 Sedan2010 Mazda3 Hatchback2010 Mazda3 Mazdaspeed (MPS)2010 Mazda3 MPS Read More

Mazda released images of its upcoming 2010 Mazda3 sedan recently and confirmed the car would make an appearance at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The carmaker also confirmed that the five-door hatch would be launched alongside the sedan early next year but that it won’t be revealed until closer to the sales launch.

While that is still several months away, we can get a rough outline of what the newly styled Mazda3 hatch will look from these latest images of a prototype for the sporty Mazdaspeed (MPS) model spotted near the Nurburgring. The hatch will feature an almost identical face to the sedan and as revealed by these spy... Mazda released images of its upcoming 2010 Mazda3 sedan recently and confirmed the car would make an appearance at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The carmaker also confirmed that the five-door hatch would be launched alongside the sedan early next year but that it won’t be revealed until closer to the sales launch. While that is still several months away, we can get a rough outline of what the newly styled Mazda3 hatch will look from these latest images of a prototype for the sporty Mazdaspeed (MPS) model spotted near the Nurburgring. The hatch will feature an almost identical face to the sedan and as revealed by these spy shots it will also include a chiselled character line starting at the top of the front fender and recedes back into the waistline. It then appears again on the rear fender to give the car a wider stance. Both 2.0L and 2.5L petrol engines are confirmed for the 2010 Mazda3 and the Mazdaspeed model could feature a turbocharged version of one of these, or stick with the current 2.3L mill. While actual specs for the car are hard to come by, there are also rumors that the engine in the Mazdaspeed version could be based on the 300hp (224kW) turbocharged 2.5L Duratec unit destined for the upcoming Ford Focus RS. There’s also the chance that Ford’s new RevoKnuckle FWD suspension system could be used in the Mazda to help get all that power to the ground as an AWD set-up is unlikely to be adopted. Differentiating the Mazdaspeed from the regular Mazda3 lineup will be a large hood scoop for the turbo, oversized air-intakes in the front bumper, a rear diffuser, large-diameter twin-exhaust pipes, and a chunky rear wing.2010 Mazda3 Sedan2010 Mazda3 MPS MazdaSpeed spy shots Read More