Mazda Axela

Mazda3s 5-door hatchback

The Axela, or Mazda3 is a compact automobile manufactured by the Mazda Motor Corporation. The name "Mazda3" is used in some markets, where as in Japan, Mazda's home market, it is the Axela. The Axela was introduced for the 2004 model year, replacing the Mazda Familia (323 or Protegé in export markets). The first car rolled off the assembly line on December 8, 2003.

The Axela has been very well-received in all markets, and in 2004 was the third best-selling car in Canada. Mazda is increasing production of the Axela at its Hofu 1 and 2 factories to meet heavy worldwide demand of over 300,000 units per year.

(This vehicle will be referred to as the "Axela" throughout this article for consistency.)

Design

The Axela is based on Ford's global C1 platform, which was developed by Volvo and which is shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Chassis development was carried out by Mazda and suspension designed by Ford. Based on the styling of the MX-Sportif concept car, the Axela is available in two body styles, a four-door sedan, marketed as "coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door hatchback, branded the Sport version in America and Japan.

Front suspension is by MacPherson struts, with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Rear suspension is a Ford-designed "E-link" multi-link suspension, with four locating links per wheel and an anti-roll bar, suspended on coil springs that are mounted inboard of the shock absorbers to reduce suspension intrusion into the cargo area. Disc brakes are standard at all four wheels, with 300 mm (11.8 in) discs front and 279 mm (11 in) discs rear; ABS and electronic brake force distribution are available or standard, depending on the model. Wheel and tire sizes vary with model, from 15 in (381 mm) on base models to option 17 in (432 mm) wheels on upper-level models.

When first introduced, American Mazda3 models were available in only two trim levels, i and s, with the 2.0 L and 2.3 L engines, respectively. Since then Mazda has introduced a proliferation of additional models under the Touring and Grand Touring labels. UK Mazda3s are offered in S, TS, TS2, and Sport models.

All Axela models except the European diesel-powered model use the inline-4 Mazda MZR engine, with various displacements and outputs depending on model and market. Transmissions are a 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission; for the 2006 model year, a 5-speed automatic became optional on models with the 2.3 L (137 cu. in.) engine. This transmission has now been made standard on the 2.0 L engine in Japan, as part of a minor facelift which includes different front and rear bumper designs, stiffened chassis, and better interior materials. It will be gradually released all over the globe as part of an effort to better match the new Honda Civic.

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Specifications

* Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive
* Seating capacity: five
* Overall length:
** Sedan: 453 cm (178.3 in)
** Hatchback: 449 cm (176.6 in)
* Wheelbase: 264 cm (103.9 in)
* Overall width: 170 cm (69.1 in)
* Track, f/r: 153 cm (60.2 in) / 151.3 cm (59.6 in)
* Turning circle: 10.4 m (34.1 ft)
* Overall height: 146.5 cm (57.7 in)
* Curb weight: 1180-1315 kg (2,600 to 2,900 lb)

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Engines

The Axela uses the following engines; all except the European diesel are Mazda MZR engines.

Japanese market (JIS ratings):
* 1.5 L (91.8 cu. in.): 113 bhp (83 kW), 104 lbf·ft (141 N·m)
* 2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 150 bhp (112 kW), 140 lbf·ft (190 N·m)
* 2.3 L (137 cu. in.): 178 bhp (133 kW), 155 lbf·ft (210 N·m)

European market (DIN ratings):
* 1.4 L (82.6 cu. in.): 83 bhp (62 kW), 90 lbf·ft (122 N·m)
* 1.6 L (98 cu. in.): 104 bhp (78 kW), 107 lbf·ft (145 N·m)
* 2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 148 bhp (110 kW) and 138 lbf·ft (187 N·m)
* 1.6 L (98 cu. in.) Duratorq diesel: 108 bhp (80 kW), 177 lbf·ft (239 N·m)

American market (SAE net ratings):
* 2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 148 bhp (110 kW), 135 lbf·ft (183 N·m)
* 2.3 L (137 cu. in.): 160 bhp (119 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)

Australian market (ADR net ratings):
* 2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 145 bhp (108 kW), 134 lbf·ft (182 N·m)
* 2.3 L (137 cu. in.): 154 bhp (115 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)
* 2.3 L (137 cu. in.) DISI MZR: 255 bhp (190 kW), 280 lbf·ft (380 N·m)

Performance

Official performance figures for the European Mazda3 1.4 S, the lowest-powered model, are 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 14.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). Figures for the 2.0 Sport are 9 seconds 0-100 km/h with a top speed of 198 km/h (124 mph). Reviews of U.S.-spec models with the 2.3 L engine and manual transmission quote 0-60 mph times of between 7.4 and 8.0 seconds; U.S. models are electronically limited to a maximum speed of 118 mph (189 km/h).

Mazdaspeed3/Mazda3 MPS

Mazda unveiled the Mazda3 MPS at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in February. The same model will be sold in North America as the Mazdaspeed3 and as the Axela MPS in Japan. Pricing is to start under 25,000 dollars and it is designed to compete with the latest generation of Hot Hatches, including the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, and the new Volkswagen GTI/R32.

The performance model features a slightly detuned version of the 2.3 L DISI MZR engine from the Mazda6 MPS/Mazdaspeed 6. For this application, it produces 246 hp (184 kW) and 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m) for the European market, while the North American market will receive a retuned version rated at 267 horsepower and 280 lbf·ft. This is routed through the front wheels rather than an all wheel drive system as on its big brother. A limited slip differential is standard, along with a 6-speed manual transmission, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control. To limit wheelslip, boost in the first gear will be limited to produce a maximum of 230 horsepower.

It uses the 5-door hatchback body with extra structural bracing. 12.6 in (320 mm) front and 11 in (280 mm) rear brake discs hide under 18 in (457 mm) wheels.

2007 Mazda 3/Axela

The Mazda Axela will receive a minor cosmetic facelift for the 2007 model year. The exterior changes are minimal, but extend to revised bumpers with the lower air intake opening resembling the shape of the traditional Mazda 5-point grille, a revised range of alloy wheels and several new interior colour combinations. The interior also has an audio jack and an improved keyless entry system.

Several new exterior colors are added as well, including different shades of blue and a purple color. The popular Titanium Gray color will also be replaced with a lighter Galaxy Gray color.

The bumper-to-bumper warranty will be reduced to 36 months / 36000 miles, but there will be an increased powertrain warranty to 60 months / 60,000 miles. This is on par with other competitive manufacturers' warranty offerings.

References

*
* Mazda 3 owners (CarDomain.com)
* http://www.mazda.com/publicity/axela/
* http://www.mazdausa.com/
* http://www.mazda.ca/

Mazda Axela: Encyclopedia BETA

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