Bob Moore Mazda

The all-new 2010 MAZDA3 has been awarded the prestigious TOP SAFETY PICK by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with Electronic Stability Control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on most trim levels of the MAZDA3.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund.

Combined with the top 5-star ratings in the US governent's NHTSA frontal and side driver crash tests, MAZDA3 is one of the safest choices in a small car. The all-new MAZDA3 comes standard with frontal and side airbags and roof mounted side air curtains, in addition to active head restraints that move closer to the driver's head in the event of a rear impact. Coupled with available Dynamic Stability Control, tire pressure monitors, strong Triple-H body construction and anti-lock brakes, the MAZDA3 offers a comprehensive safety package.

"Mazda is known for cars that are fun to drive because they have superb steering, brakes and overall handling," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "This active safety helps avoid the accident in the first place and makes the MAZDA3 a perfect example of safety meets zoom-zoom!"

In the IIHS 40 mph frontal offset test, 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver side. The barrier's deformable face is made of aluminum honeycomb, which makes the forces in the test similar to those involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles of the same weight, each going just less than 40 mph.

For the side test, a 31 mph (50 km/h) perpendicular impact into the driver side of a passenger vehicle. The moving deformable barrier that strikes the test vehicle weighs 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg) and has a front end shaped to simulate the typical front end of a pickup or SUV.

The rear impact sled test of the seat simulates a rear-end crash with a velocity change of 10 mph, approximately equivalent to a stationary vehicle being struck at 20 mph by a vehicle of the same weight.

Be sure to pass this terrific news on to your sales staff for consumers. Safety ratings continue to be a top purchase consideration for our consumers.

For more information visit: http://www.iihs.org/news/default.html

September 17, 2009 at 4:18 pm by Jon Yanca

Previously, it had been confirmed that our neighbors to the north would be granted Mazda's tiniest zoom, the Mazda 2. But today at a dealer conference, Mazda North American Operations' president and CEO, Jim O'Sullivan, announced that the little B-segment hatch will in fact be sold in Canada and the U.S. with sales beginning for us in late 2010.

"You've asked us for it for a while now, and we've been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America," O'Sullivan told the assembled dealers. Don't be fooled though, it wasn't just dealers asking for the car that brought about the change of plans. With Ford putting its final touches on the U.S.-spec Fiesta (which is itself based on the Mazda 2 that's already sold elsewhere) and Chevrolet  readying the Spark, Mazda isn't blind to the increased momentum of the B-segment here in the States.

O'Sullivan went on to promise that the new Mazda 2 will "be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun to drive, and a heck of a value. In short, it will be Zoom-Zoom." If the 2 stays in line with its larger and elder siblings, we're sure the hatch will fit just perfectly into the North American Mazda family. Look for full details when the car bows at the L.A. auto show this fall.

In the meantime, read our take on the European 2: 2008 Mazda 2 - Mini Test Road Test

Posted 8/24/09 11:53 AM by Carlos Lago  Filed under: Green, Manufacturing, Mazda

Another target is weight. Mazda aims to reduce more than 220 lbs from new models, which should net a 3-5% improvement in fuel economy, according to the automaker. Mazda is perusing the program through new manufacturing processes (hydro-forming, hot stamping), material replacement (magnesium, plastic), and the optimization of vehicle architecture.

How about diesel? Mazda is looking, and sees two problems. For one, the automaker doesn't have an automatic transmission suited for its line of diesels, and two, Mazda believes the U.S. market is still hesitant to accept the powerplant as an alternative to gasoline.

Stop-start technology could make an appearance as well. Mazda says its system, called i-stop, is good for a 10% fuel economy improvement in big cities. The hurdle is EPA testing, which doesn't account for the system's benefits. Mazda and other automakers are in talks with the EPA, seeking an addendum to fuel economy ratings.

Source: Mazda, Automotive News

Warning: Do not confuse more civilized with tame.

BY TONY SWAN
August 2009

For three years, the Mazdaspeed 3 has been the unbeaten champ of the overheated-hatch segment, prevailing in three of our comparison tests and also winning a place on our 10Best Cars list. It's a little rascal of a car-gleefully defiant, tailback nimble, electric-shock quick, hatchback practical-and as it marches toward middle age, there's just one question: What does it do for an encore?

The truth is, it didn't need much, but ain't-broke-don't-fix-it doesn't work in the car biz, where the winds of change blow at gale force. So for 2010 there are some civilizing updates.

The Good and the Bad

Generally speaking, the Speed 3 shares sheetmetal with the new Mazda 3 five-door, including its unhandsome black plastic grille. The biggest Speed 3 visual update is the addition of a hood scoop, to funnel fresh air into the turbocharged four-cylinder's top-mounted intercooler. The wing extending from the rear of the roof is bigger, and there are new 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Dunlop SP Sport 2050 tires with bigger footprints-225/40s, versus 215/45 Bridgestone Potenza RE050As on the previous edition.

Inside, the updated Speed 3 is distinguished by Mazdaspeed fabric trim-red-speckled black on the door panels and deep seat bolsters, plus red stitching. It's a look that could be perceived as carnival décor, but of course you'll make up your own mind about that. There's also a new vertical LED boost gauge, tucked in between the tach and speedo, and aluminum-clad foot pedals.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

BASE PRICE: $23,945

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 138 cu in, 2261cc
Power (SAE net): 263 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 103.9 in Length: 177.6 in Width: 69.7 in Height: 57.5 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3250 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.6 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 14.1 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/25 mpg

Same Power with More Control

Output of Mazda's 2.3-liter turbocharged and intercooled four is unchanged-263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential. Even though the figures remain unchanged, Mazda was able to get more out of the 2.3's all-in-the-middle powerband with revised gearing. In light of those changes, keeping horsepower at 263 wasn't a bad idea, especially since big power in a small front-drive car is just asking for torque steer, an area in which the original Speed 3 excelled. Mazda's engineers have further addressed this in the 2010 version by re-profiling the car's torque-management system, which electronically dials back output in the first two gears. There's still some steering-wheel tug at wide-open throttle-the official line is that a little torque steer adds to the fun-but it's not the wrestling match of 2007-09 models.

Mazda has also revised the suspension tuning with a small increase in spring rates, and a bigger increase in damping. This, plus a new electro-hydraulic steering system and larger contact patches with the road, adds up to a little less understeer in hard cornering, a little more willingness to change directions quickly, and better ride quality.

Still a Winner, On Paper

The base price for 2010 is $23,945, an increase of less than $500. There's only one major option group-the $1895 Tech Package, which includes a Bose audio system with an MP3 player, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a nav system with a miniature screen. And it still adds up to one of the best performance buys going.