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| Mazda
3 1.6 Dynamic |
Broadcast
dates : 27th February 2005
3rd March 2005 |
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Mazda’s styling in the past
has varied from ultra conservative to quirky, somewhat
difficult to define. The Mazda3, along with other new models
in the range, is set to change all that.
First impressions are lasting impressions, and in this respect
Mazda is onto a winner with the Three.
Solid five-spoke alloy wheels, a stubby tail, crisp light
design and edgy V-shaped bonnet lines convey a strong
personality.
In the engine department, Mazda has a well-deserved reputation
for reliability and brisk performance, and in the case of our
1,6-litre Dynamic test model, outputs are 77 kiloWatts and
146Newton metres. Exciting?… hmm… maybe.
A big step forward for Mazda has been an integration of
styling for its entire product line-up. Mazda nose, Mazda
tail-lights, Mazda air-intakes… all recognizably Mazda,
whether it be a 3 or an RX8 sports model.
On the 3, the interior is a little less successful than the
strong exterior. The designers tried just a little too hard
towards the zoom-zoom end of things, so it’s a tad garish in
comparison to the classy sheet-metal.
Nevertheless material quality is good and equipment levels are
high.
No surprises in the basic concept of the Mazda 3.
Front-wheel-drive, transverse engine, five-speed gearbox,
these are pretty much standard issue in this class of car.
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On the safety front there are six airbags, which is
impressive, ABS brakes, but no skid control or traction
control.
Nevertheless there’s a quality feel to the package that’s
reassuring.
With such a lot of equipment and the accompanying weight
penalty, performance is middle-of-the-road. Naught to a
hundred takes eleven-comma-three seconds, and top speed is a
hundred-and-eighty kilometres-per-hour, but handling is
excellent.
A dirt road can throw up a car’s suspension and body-shell
shortcomings very quickly, but the Mazda earns its stripes
here too. A good car, but ultimately it’s the engine and
gear change on this 1,6-litre model that let it down.
Power output on this particular model is pegged at 1986
levels, the old Mazda EGi also producing 77 kiloWatts. But
down in the lower rev ranges the torque is pleasing, making it
a very drivable car.
Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic
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Engine: Transverse four-cylinder petrol, 1 598 cc
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Power: 77 kW @ 6 000 rpm
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Torque: 146 Nm @ 4 000 rpm
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Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
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0-100 km/h: 11,4 seconds
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Top speed: 180 km/h
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Fuel consumption: 8,9 litres/100 km (claimed figures)
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Price: R179 990
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