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Mazda

2014 Mazda3 in detail

2014 Mazda3

Mazda has not long released info on the all-new Mazda3 sedan, which goes with last month’s debut of the hatchback model. So here’s a mega photo gallery for you featuring over 80 images of the sedan and hatch. The third-gen Mazda3 is sure to become another worldwide sales success for the independent manufacturer.

If the photos aren’t enough, then perhaps you might like to sink your teeth into the full press kit (13.5mb PDF), which tells you everything you need to know about the new Mazda3.

For example, the A-pillars have been pushed back by 100mm in a bid to improve forward visibility. Even the shape of the pillars was fine-tuned as a result of “eye point” studies carried out by Mazda.

The Mazda3 is a global product, so here’s the thoughts of three journos from three different continents who’ve driven pre-production models in the last week or so:

Autoblog (Steven Ewing): No one will confuse the steering for anything than an electronically assisted rack, but again, Mazda knows what it’s doing here. Every compliment we’ve ever given to the Mazda6 or CX-5 about its fantastic helm can be carried over here, with a rack that weights up nicely as you carry more speed and turn the wheels harder to the left or right, while still feeling effortless and light during slow-speed maneuvering.

Autocar (Matt Burt): There’s an overall sensation of lightness about the Mazda 3. That feeling is enhanced not only by the all-round slimming that comes with the SkyActiv tech, but also by the light touch to both the pedals and steering, and the slick precision of the short-throw six-speed manual gearbox.

Drive.com.au (Stephen Ottley): The suspension is well sorted. Although the ride felt soft at times – making it comfortable to drive around town – it still felt well balanced and taut in the switchback roads we encountered. We’ll reserve final judgement until we get it onto Australia’s less-than-perfect roads, but the initial impression is the new 3 is one of the most dynamically capable small cars.

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Mazda

Third-generation Mazda3 revealed

2014 Mazda3

The Mazda3 has just celebrated its tenth birthday and what better way to build on its impressive legacy than by releasing an all-new model. And that’s just what Mazda did overnight, hosting a special preview event in Melbourne, ahead of launches to follow in New York, London, St Petersburg and Istanbul.

As you can see the third-generation Mazda3 draws heavily on the stylish Kodo design language on which the larger Mazda6 is based. The low front-end flows smoothly to a rear-end that we think Subaru probably wished adorned their Impreza. That’s to say the result is, based on the photos provided, cohesive and well resolved. It’s a nice looking car.

The all-new Mazda3 is 60mm longer, 40mm wider and 15mm lower than the old model. It boasts a new and improved interior which introduces a new Human Machine Interface; that means a big screen with all the expected connectivity and infotainment gadgets for the most part. Aside from the faux carbon fibre bits, which rarely look any good, the new interior is a nice progression for Mazda.

An Active Driving Display (read head-up display) will show speed as well as basic sat nav instructions. Althoguh it will only be available on selected models.

In Australia we’ll be offered two engine choices, both are petrol units carrying the Skyactiv-G branding; starting with a 114kW/200Nm 2.0 litre, joined by a 138kW/250Nm 2.5 litre.

Mazda has sold 3.5 million Mazda3s around the world since its initial launch, with almost one in ten going to Australian buyers. We expect its sales success will continue when the car hits local showrooms early next year.

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Mazda

VIDEO: Sideways on New Zealand’s Crown Range

Mad Mike drifting on the Crown Range in New Zealand

Kiwi drifter Mad Mike Whiddett has been let loose on one of the world’s great roads, The Crown Range, just out of Queenstown on the South Island. Red Bull has picked up the tab and Mazda has supplied to go fast bits.

Can’t say a competition-ready drift car would be our weapon of choice for a road like this, but with 750 horsepower on tap from this quad rotor RX-7, if given the chance, we think we could have ourselves a bloody good time!

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Mazda News Safety Issues

Over 1500 Mazda6 models affected by recall

2013 Mazda6

Mazda Australia says 1531 Australian delivered new Mazda6 models are affected by a recall which numbers 15,000 vehicles worldwide.

According to Mazda there is a potential fault with the DC/DC converter, positioned beneath the front passenger’s seat, that in worst cases could cause a fire. Mazda will replace the convertor at no cost to the customer.

Owners will be contacted by Mazda to arrange the repair and a free loan vehicle will be provided while their car is off the road. Owners can also call Mazda Customer Support on 1800 034 411 for more information.

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New vehicle sales report – December 2012

FCAI banner

A round of applause for Australia’s car buying public who achieved an all-time record of 1,112,032 sales in 2012. It’s only the fifth time Australians have bought more than 1 million cars in a calendar year. Last year’s results represent an overall increase of 10.3% (103,595 sales) compared with 2011.

FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber, explained demand for a wider range of vehicles helped to fuel the record result. “Reduced tariffs as well as changing consumer preferences have contributed to making the dynamic and innovative automotive industry that we have today,” he said.

“The 2012 sales result bears that out. Customer demand has been high and the industry has responded with a wide range of vehicles powered by a range of different fuels.”

When you read the material after the break it seems that almost everyone’s a winner except Holden and Ford. The General returned a 9.1% drop in sales compared with 2011, but managed to hold its position as the country’s second-best seller. Although, Mazda is snapping at its heels. Meanwhile, Ford held station, to a degree, returning a 0.9% drop in sales against 2011.

However, when you consider market-leader Toyota increased its annual sales by 20.1%—coupled with strong improvements from other top 10 selling brands like Honda (+18.9%), Mazda (+17.6%), Nissan (+17.4%), Subaru (+18.2%) and Volkswagen (22.6%)—we can’t imagine there’s too many smiles in the boardrooms at Fisherman’s Bend and Broadmeadows.

Individually, the Mazda3 managed to top the charts for 2012, notching up 44,128 sales. Close behind were Toyota’s HiLux (40,646) and Corolla (38,799).

It used to be that one in every four cars sold in Australia was either a Commodore or a Falcon. Not anymore. The Commodore was the fourth-best selling model (30,532 sales), while the Falcon didn’t even make it into the top 10.

Despite 2012’s record result Tony Weber expects a small drop in annual sales for 2013. “During this election year, and with production now having caught up with back orders, FCAI forecasts a national automotive market of 1,075,000 for 2013,” he said.

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New vehicle sales report – November 2012

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Well done Australia, for the first time on record you’ve bought more than 1 million new vehicles before the end of November. The year-to-date figure at the end of last month was 1,016,605, a 10.9% increase compared with the same time frame last year.

As always, string demand for SUVs in the private sector has fuelled the growth, but so too has a resurgence in sales of passenger vehicles.

Meanwhile, Government fleet sales have dropped off by a total of 35.1% compared with November 2011 and by almost 21% since the start of the year.

The top three selling brands in November were Toyota (19,312), Holden (10,354) and Mazda (8,732). While the three best selling models were the Toyota Corolla (4,190), the Mazda3 (3,703) and the Toyota HiLux (3,059).

Congratulations to Mazda, too, who has recorded its best ever annual sales results, with a month still remaining in the year.

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Mazda

All-new Mazda6 arrives in local showrooms

All-new Mazda6 now on sale in Australia

Mazda Australia has already achieved a new sales record this year. And we think the arrival of the stylish new Mazda6 to local showrooms will further send the brand’s sales tally into overdrive.

Buyers can choose from two engines, a 2.5 litre petrol engine providing 138kW/250Nm or a 2.2 litre diesel which produces 129kW/420Nm. The latter will feature in the return of the Celebrity Race at next year’s Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Impressive fuel consumption has never really been a huge strong point for the Mazda6, but that’s all about to change, thanks in part to the company’s innovative i-ELOOP technology. Coupled to a 6-speed auto, the only transmission offered, the petrol engine uses 6.6l/100km on the combined cycle, while the diesel is rated at 5.4l/100km.

Four trim levels are provided, all available in sedan or wagon configurations. The range starts with the petrol only Sport model. The remaining three models are all available with the diesel engine for a $3000 premium. The trims offered are Touring, GT and the range-topping Atenza, which features extra safety technology such as radar-guided cruise control and blind spot monitoring.

A full driveaway price list (ACT pricing) is available below, along with more photos and Mazda’s 44-page press kit.

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New vehicle sales report – October 2012

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It’s becoming boring to keep reporting that SUV sales are once again behind a strong monthly sales result. But VFACTS figures show SUV sales havr increased by 28.6% so far this year, and contributed 25,737 sales towards the October total of 95,584 new vehicle sales.

Year-to-date numbers show a total of 918,258 new vehicles have driven off showroom forecourts in 2012, a healthy increase of 9.7% compared to the same time last year. Interestingly, government sales are down 10.9% for the year, while private sales, up by 11.7%, have covered those losses.

Toyota continues its unassailable lead as the country’s top seller, registering 18,584 sales last month. They were followed by traditional bridesmaid Holden (10,239) and Ford (8,379).

The Toyota HiLux was the highest selling model in October, with 3,403 sales, followed by the Mazda3 (3,342) and the Toyota Corolla (2,977).

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Mazda

Wankels at the ready, the RX-7 is coming back!

Mazda 16X rotary engine

The demise of the rotary engine we wrote about just a few months ago is already over, The Motor Report states. After speaking to Nobuhiro Yamamoto, program manager of the MX-5, TMR says a new generation RX-7 awaits and the return of the much loved Mazda icon has been confirmed.

But you’ll have to wait until 2017 for the next-gen RX-7, which will base its engine on the Renesis 16X first revealed in 2007. The 1.6 litre rotary will be normally aspirated to begin with, although Yamamoto hasn’t ruled out turbocharging at a later date. In normally aspirated form, peak power could be as high as 220kW and will be tuned for linear power delivery and sharp throttle response.

The chassis for the RX-7 will be an adaptation of MX-5 architecture, allowing for an increase in size over Mazda’s small sports car. Yamamoto also revealed aluminium body panels will help reach a target weight of around 1250kg, nominating the Toyota 86 as a rough guide.

Pricing for the 2017 RX-7 is expected to sit in the premium category above the Nissan 370Z, for example.

[Source: The Motor Report]

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Mazda Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Mazda

Mazda6 at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Mazda Australia is enjoying a bumper 2012, and word that their new Mazda6 will be on sale down under ahead of schedule in early December can only improve their already strong results. It’ll provide a handy kickstart to 2013 sales as well.

While we’re disappointed that we weren’t granted a hands-on look inside the Mazda6 we can say that the new family-sized model looks even better in the metal than it does in the pics. None more so than the versatile wagon.

The highlight of the Mazda6 design is the junction of the A-pillar and front quarter panel. It’s a stylish execution that helps give the Mazda6 a genuine character you rarely see in modern volume models.

Mazda’s iconic MX-5 was also on show and, in its latest “new-look” iteration, you’ll be seeing it in your local dealerships next month.

For those with an insatiable appetite for SUVs you’ll be pleased to know the facelifted CX-9 is on display as well.

Australia is clearly an important market for the Japanese manufacturer. A fact highlighted by the presence of Takashi Yamanouchi, President, Chairman and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation.

Mazda’s excellent social media team has kicked goals for its customers again by making the press conference from the Australian Internaitonal Motor Show available for all. It can be seen after the break, along with more pics and a link to Mazda’s motor show press kit.

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Accessories & Tech Mazda

VIDEO: Mazda explains its i-ELOOP technology

Mazda i-ELOOP video

Over the next little while you’ll be hearing a lot about Mazda’s new Skyactiv i-ELOOP technology. In Australia our first look at this new tech will be in the 2013 Mazda6.

The i-ELOOP name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue easily, but it is a simple and clever way to ensure that no power from the car’s alternator is lost. To do that energy is sent to a specially created capacitor. It also uses regenerative energy to power the alternator, freeing it from its reliance on the engine. One of the main benefits of this concept is reduced fuel consumption.

It’s a little bit nerdy, really, and if it all sounds a bit like witchcraft, then watch the video after the break.

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Formula 1 Mazda

Mazda6 to revive F1 celebrity challenge

Matthew Cowdrey and Anna Meares with the Mazda6

Those who marvel at the periphery of Grand Prix week will have lamented the loss of the Celebrity Challenge around Albert Park this year. So we can only imagine their delight at today’s announcement telling the world the celebrity race is back!

So far the choice of celebs centres around over-achieving athletes, with olympic cyclist Anna Meares and paralympian Matthew Cowdrey confirmed. They will be joined by Britain’s own olympic cycling legend, Sir Chris Hoy.

Their weapon of choice? A diesel-powered Mazda6. We imagine panel beaters around Melbourne will be pleased for the practice they will be given on repairing the new Mazda sedan.

Speaking at today’s press conference Meares said: “I’ve always dreamt of being involved in car racing. Much like cycling, it is such a technical and mentally draining sport and I have the greatest respect for Formula 1 drivers.

“It’s also not very often that I get a chance to race against Sir Chris for bragging rights.”

[Source: Australian Grand Prix]