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There is always something exciting to talk about when it comes to Mazda vehicles and Mazda South of Austin. We want to keep you updated on the latest Mazda news and events here at Mazda South. Take a look at the latest releases below:
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The 2011 MAZDA2
So it's almost arrived on American shores after years of enthralling the rest of the world and winning countless international awards to prove it. Well, here's a few more reasons to love the 2011 MAZDA2: it can get up to 35 mpg hwy;‡ it has more front legroom than Fit, Yaris and Versa; and it starts at just $13,980!§ That should make road trips a little more fun.
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REVIEWS:
First Drive: 2010 Mazda MazdaSPEED 3
October 07, 2009
By Andrew Yeadon
Photography by Andrew Yeadon
There's one thing missing in love-it-or-hate-it cars like the MazdaSPEED 3: apathy. Whether you adore its tire-shredding, blistering acceleration or loathe its torque steer and turbo lag, you'll never get out of this hatchback feeling nothing. Redesigned for 2010, the MazdaSPEED 3 remains the muscle car of the hot-hatch world, and just like the last Speed, it remains the ultimate polarizer of the Mazda family.
For example, one could easily criticize the new Speed for offering no more power than last year's car. We won't. Word behind the scenes is that engineers experimented with more power (the engine will reportedly handle 300 hp with no problem) and even all-wheel drive, but the lessons of the late RX-7 stopped that thinking dead in its tracks. The RX-7 became too complex and too expensive, resulting in its demise. Demise is bad, so the MazdaSPEED 3 stays simple, cheap, and fast.
And that means it remains a hot hatch with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine furiously spinning the front wheels. The unibody is similar to the one in last year's car, with only slight structural enhancements made possible by the selective use of high-strength steel. The new Speed is roughly the same size as its predecessor, and weight has increased by only about 100 pounds. Even its electronically limited 155-mph top speed remains the same. So what's different?
Well, perhaps you've noticed the styling. And by "styling," we could only be referring to the Speed's freakishly happy yet uncomfortably sinister mug. Love it or hate it, the grille opening is roughly the same shape as the one on the standard version of the happiest car on the planet, but with a slightly perverse, almost Joker-esque, insert. Circular lenses replace the rounded-trapezoid fog lights from the regular 3, and the front fenders are flared to house tires that have grown in width by one size. A hood scoop tells other would-be racers that this Mazda means business.
The functional scoop routes cold air directly to the top-mounted intercooler. The previous Speed 3 used ducting in the hood to feed the intercooler, which left no room for cold-air plumbing for the engine. The new configuration not only provides for better airflow to the intercooler but feeds the engine with chillier intake air as well. The better cooling results in higher engine output in hot conditions and at low speeds, such as when sitting in midsummer traffic.
There's one thing missing in love-it-or-hate-it cars like the MazdaSPEED 3: apathy. Whether you adore its tire-shredding, blistering acceleration or loathe its torque steer and turbo lag, you'll never get out of this hatchback feeling nothing. Redesigned for 2010, the MazdaSPEED 3 remains the muscle car of the hot-hatch world, and just like the last Speed, it remains the ultimate polarizer of the Mazda family.
For example, one could easily criticize the new Speed for offering no more power than last year's car. We won't. Word behind the scenes is that engineers experimented with more power (the engine will reportedly handle 300 hp with no problem) and even all-wheel drive, but the lessons of the late RX-7 stopped that thinking dead in its tracks. The RX-7 became too complex and too expensive, resulting in its demise. Demise is bad, so the MazdaSPEED 3 stays simple, cheap, and fast.
And that means it remains a hot hatch with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine furiously spinning the front wheels. The unibody is similar to the one in last year's car, with only slight structural enhancements made possible by the selective use of high-strength steel. The new Speed is roughly the same size as its predecessor, and weight has increased by only about 100 pounds. Even its electronically limited 155-mph top speed remains the same. So what's different?
Well, perhaps you've noticed the styling. And by "styling," we could only be referring to the Speed's freakishly happy yet uncomfortably sinister mug. Love it or hate it, the grille opening is roughly the same shape as the one on the standard version of the happiest car on the planet, but with a slightly perverse, almost Joker-esque, insert. Circular lenses replace the rounded-trapezoid fog lights from the regular 3, and the front fenders are flared to house tires that have grown in width by one size. A hood scoop tells other would-be racers that this Mazda means business.
The functional scoop routes cold air directly to the top-mounted intercooler. The previous Speed 3 used ducting in the hood to feed the intercooler, which left no room for cold-air plumbing for the engine. The new configuration not only provides for better airflow to the intercooler but feeds the engine with chillier intake air as well. The better cooling results in higher engine output in hot conditions and at low speeds, such as when sitting in midsummer traffic.
With that said, the Speed 3's front seats feel less laterally supportive than last year's big-bolster affairs, and they lack thigh support, even compared with the power seats in the regular 3. And the optional navigation system, which Mazda appropriately names "compact navi," has a screen no bigger than that of an iPhone. Infuriatingly, its controls are placed on the steering wheel, meaning that only the driver can operate them, and destination addresses can be entered only while the car is stopped. How annoying.
We're also disappointed that many features available on less powerful 3s aren't offered on the Speed: you can beg, plead, or even hug your dealer, but he won't be able to get you a MazdaSPEED 3 with a sunroof, seat heaters, rain-sensing wipers, LED taillights, or swiveling HID headlights.
Then again, we think the Speed 3 ranks high on the bang-for-the-buck scale: at a base price of $23,945, it comes standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and that monster engine under the hood. Even fully loaded, your Speed 3 will barely break the $26,000 mark. You can love or hate its silly face and its distinctly turbocharged personality, but there's not much to discuss when it comes to price - if you like a whole lot of horsepower for your pennies, the MazdaSPEED 3 offers much to love
MazdaSpeed 3
BASE PRICE $23,945
Powertrain
ENGINE Turbocharged DOHC I-4
DISPLACEMENT 2.3 liters (138 cu in)
HORSEPOWER 263 hp @ 5500 rpm
TORQUE 280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION TYPE 6-speed manual
DRIVE Front-wheel
Chassis
STEERING Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
SUSPENSION, FRONT Strut-type, coil springs
SUSPENSION, REAR Multilink, coil springs
BRAKES F/R Vented discs/discs, ABS
TIRES Dunlop SP Sport 2050
TIRE SIZE 225/40YR-18
Measurements
L x W x H 177.6 x 69.7 x 57.5 in
WHEELBASE 103.9 in
TRACK F/R 60.4/60.0 in
WEIGHT 3245 lb (per manufacturer)
EPA MILEAGE 18/25 mpg
2010 MAZDA3 AWARDED IIHS Top Safety Pick
All-new 2010 MAZDA3 crash ratings now available - June 1, 2009
The US government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) just published complete crash and rollover resistance ratings for the 2010 MAZDA3.
MAZDA3 received the highest possible ratings of 5-stars for both the driver and front seat passenger in the frontal crash test. These ratings are superior to those for the 2010 Corolla. In the side crash test, MAZDA3 received a 5-star rating for the driver and a 4-star rating for the rear seat passenger. The ratings are comparable to the ratings for Civic and Corolla. A rollover resistance rating of 4-stars was also awarded to MAZDA3. This rating is equal to ratings for Civic and Corolla. For further information see www.safercar.gov.
Also remember that previously the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded to top rating of Good to the 2010 MAZDA3 for its frontal offset crash test. For further information see www.highwaysafety.org.
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NHTSA
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IIHS
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Frontal
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Side
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Frontal Offset
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Side
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Vehicle
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Driver
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Passenger
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Front
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Rear
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Rollover
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Without SAB
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With SAB
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2010 MAZDA3
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5*****
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5*****
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5*****
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4****
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4****
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G
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N/T*
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N/T
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Civic
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5*****
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5*****
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4****
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5*****
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4****
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G
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N/T*
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G
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2010 Corolla
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4****
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4***
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5*****
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4****
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4****
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G
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N/T*
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G
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2008 Mazda CX-9 – Flirting with Perfection
The May 2009 edition of Motor Trend magazine has a great story about their long term test with the 2008 Sport Utility of the Year award winner. The award was a first unanimous win for any brand and something we’re proud of.
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 government’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.
Safety ratings continue to be a top purchase consideration for our consumers.
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