Mazda Axela

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Mazda Axela/MAZDA3

Also called:	Mazda MAZDA3
Manufacturer:	Mazda
Production:	2003–present
Predecessor:	Mazda Familia/323/Protegé
Class:	Compact
Body style:	5-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Engine:	1.4 L MZR I4 1.5 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.3 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZ-CD I4
Related:	Mazda Premacy/MAZDA5 Ford Focus Volvo C30 Volvo S40/Volvo V50
Similar:	Chevrolet Cobalt Dodge Caliber Ford Focus Honda Civic Nissan Sentra Pontiac Vibe Saturn Ion Scion tC Toyota Corolla Toyota Matrix Volkswagen Golf

MAZDA3s 5-door hatchback

MAZDA3 sedan

The Axela, or MAZDA3 is a compact automobile manufactured by the Mazda Motor Corporation. The name "MAZDA3" is used worldwide, but 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.)

1 Design
2 Specifications
3 Engines
4 Performance
- 4.1 Acceleration
5 MAZDASPEED3/MAZDA3 MPS
6 2007 Mazda 3/Axela
7 2009
8 References
- 8.1 Sources
9 Other links

[edit] 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 (FWD models only), as part of a minor facelift which includes different front/rear bumper designs, new wheel designs and bodycolors, 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.

[edit] Specifications

Configuration: front engine, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive (Japan only)
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)

[edit] 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 (137.9 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 & Canadian markets (SAE net ratings):

2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 148 bhp (110 kW), 135 lbf·ft (183 N·m)
2.3 L (137.9 cu. in.): 156 bhp (116 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)

Philippine market (DIN ratings):

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)

Mazda changed the ratings for US Market 2007 2.3L engine models only

2.3 L (137.9 cu. in.): 156 bhp (117 kW), 150 lbf ft (203 Nm)

Australian market (ADR net ratings):

2.0 L (122 cu. in.): 145 bhp (108 kW), 134 lbf·ft (182 N·m)
2.3 L (137.9 cu. in.): 154 bhp (115 kW), 150 lbf·ft (203 N·m)
2.3 L (137.9 cu. in.) DISI MZR: 255 bhp (190 kW), 280 lbf·ft (380 N·m)

[edit] Performance

[edit] Acceleration

The 0 to 60 mph or 0 to 100 km/h acceleration times depend on the type of transmission. In general, the manual transmission is faster in acceleration (not just because it is lighter in weight, but for the relative inefficiency of the torque converter in the automatic compared to the clutch in the manual).

Official performance figures for the Australian MAZDA3 2.0 Lt, the lowest-powered model, are 0-100 km/h in 14.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).

The 1.6 CiTD 80 KW (as sold in the Europe) with a 5-speed manual does 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds and has top of 182 km/h (113 mph) according to the spec's.

[edit] 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 Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan. Pricing is to start at US$ 22,835 (including destination) and it is designed to compete with the latest generation of Hot Hatches, including the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, and the new Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit GTI.

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 264 horsepower and 280 lbf·ft when running on 91 octane gasoline ((R+M)/2). This is routed through the front wheels rather than an all wheel drive system as on its big brother. The Australian market receives the MAZDA3 MPS with the same engine as the Mazda6 MPS with 190kw of power. 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. Volvo-sourced 12.6 in (320 mm) front and 11.0 in (280 mm) rear brake discs hide under 18 in (457 mm) wheels.

[edit] 2007 Mazda 3/Axela

The Axela received 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 face, 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. The 2007 model also include less visible changes. 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.

The new LED tail lamp design.

2007 MAZDA3 CiTD hatchback, 109 bhp (80 kW), 177 lbs/ft (239 NM)

The front fasica has been updated with a "floating" foglight design and slightly revised front grill for the "s" trim level. Also, for the 2007 "grand touring" trim level, the rear tail-lights have been enhanced with a "clear on clear" lens setting or a more "glass-like" appearance with the clear tail lenses also featuring red LED brake lights. The LED brake lights are added to compete with the growing trend of higher-end vehicles that include LED tail lamps for a more visible and responsive light output.

2007 MAZDA3 CiTD hatchback front

2007 MAZDA3 CiTD hatchback rear

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 / 36,000 miles, but there will be an increased powertrain warranty to 60 months / 60,000 miles (not in all markets). This is on par with other competitive manufacturers' warranty offerings.

[edit] 2009

The Axela/MAZDA3 is reported^[1] to be up for a redesign for the 2009 model year.

[edit] References

Geneva Motor Show: MAZDA3 MPS makes its move. autoblog.com. Retrieved on February 28, 2006.
Mazda 3 owners (CarDomain.com)
http://www.mazda.com/publicity/axela/
http://www.mazdausa.com/
http://www.mazda.ca/

[edit] Sources

^ Future Products - Mazda. AutoWeek. Retrieved on August 16, 2006.

[edit] Other links

Type	1990s										2000s
Mazda – part owned by the Ford Motor Company, road car timeline, 1990s—present - edit
Type	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact	Revue/121						Demio/121						Demio/2						Demio/2
Subcompact															Verisa
Compact	Familia/323/Protegé					Familia/323/Protegé					Familia/323/Protegé				Axela/3
Mid-size	Capella/626			Capella					Capella/626				Atenza/6						Atenza/6
	Capella/626			Cronos/626					Capella/626				Atenza/6						Atenza/6
				MS-8/Eunos 800/Xedos 9/Millenia
Full-size	Sentia/929					Sentia
Sports / coupé	MX-6			MX-6
	MX-5/Miata									MX-5/Miata							MX-5
		MX-3										MicroSport								Kabura
	RX-7			RX-7										RX-8
	Cosmo													RX-8
Minivan										Premacy							Premacy/Mazda5
Minivan	MPV									MPV								MPV
Crossover		Navajo										Tribute							CX-5
																		CX-7
																			CX-9
Trucks:	B-Series/Proceed/Truck \| BT-50 \| E-Series/Bongo \| T-Series/Titan
Kei cars:	Spiano \| AZ-Offroad \| Scrum \| Laputa \| AZ-Wagon \| Carol
Historic models:	GLC \| Luce \| Savanna \| Proceed \| RX-2 \| RX-3 \| RX-4 \| RX-5 \| Roadpacer \| REPU

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