Mazda3 Production Reaches 3 Million Units

Mazda announced that its Mazda3 compact car (known as the Axela in Japan) has reached a new milestone with the production of 3 million units, seven years and ten months after the launch of the first-generation model. The fastest-selling model in the company's current lineup of passenger cars is produced in three locations (Japan's Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi, China's CFMA plant in Nanjing and Thailand's AutoAlliance plant).The compact model is sold in approximately 90 countries and regions across the world. 

2012 Mazda3 Facelift with New 40mpg SKYACTIV Engine Debuts in New York

Mazda is getting ready to enter the raging mpg war in the compact passenger vehicle segment in the States with the launch of its facelifted 2012 Mazda3 that made its U.S. debut today at the New York International Auto Show.

While the exterior and interior refinements are modest, the updated Mazda3 debuts the first application in North America of the Japanese firm�s suite of SKYACTIV fuel-saving and performance-oriented technologies, achieving 40 mpg on the highway. Within it lies Mazda�s all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine hooked up to either a new SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission or a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual gearbox.

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2010 Mazda3 in the U.S.

The new 2010 Mazda3 has only been made available in the U.S. market since March 2009, but the subcompact model has already received its first recall. Overall, Mazda will be calling back to its dealerships 25,400 sedans and hatchback models because of a problem concerning the starter motor. More specifically, the company found that the clearance between the engine harness and the housing of starter motor may be inadequate as vibration during operation may cause a short-circuit between certain harness wires and the starter housing.

If this happens the fuse may blow out causing the engine to stall and not restart again. The Japanese firm's dealers will have the engine harness inspected and add a protector clip on the affected section of the harness while if deemed necessary, the harness will be repaired.

Geneva Show: 2010 Mazda3 MPS - MazdaSpeed3 with 260HP, High-Res Photo Gallery

Inheriting the 260-horsepower strong 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine of the current model, the new Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. On the outside, Mazda's proposal in the hot hatch segment is distinguished by details such as the WRX-style hood scoop, the larger roof wing, new 18-inch alloy wheels and the restyled bumpers.

Inside, Mazda attempted to give the car a sportier feeling with semi-bucket seats and a tachometer that features a red MPS logo and a needle that travels through 260 degrees as opposed to the 190-degree rotation on other new Mazda3 models. The instrument cluster for the all-new MPS also includes an LED turbo boost gauge positioned between the meters. The MPS also gets red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and centre armrest.

Under the skin, the MPS is powered by a refined version of the current model's 2.3-liter turbocharged engine producing the same 260HP at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine is matted to a six-speed manual gearbox that delivers power to the front wheels. The new MPS features a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and acceleration of 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds.

Mazda supports that optimized aerodynamics help reduce fuel consumption from 9.7l/100 km (24.2mpg US) on the previous model to 9.2l/100 km (25.6mpg US) - a 5 percent improvement. Also newly introduced on this engine is the world's first single-nanotechnology, fast-reacting catalytic converter, which delivers cleaner emissions and Euro5 compliance.

The new Mazda3 MPS also comes with a revised suspension set up, improved steering and larger diameter 320 mm ventilated disc brakes in the front and 280 mm solid discs in the rear. Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) replaces the previous mechanical system, while four-wheel ABS and DSC belong to the car's standard equipment.

New Mazda3 MPS dimensions and specifications for EU

Model name		Mazda3 MPS
Dimensions
Overall length	mm	4,505
Overall height	mm	1,460
Overall width	mm	1,770
Wheelbase	mm	2,640
Track (front/rear)	mm	1,535 /1,520
Luggage capacity	l	340 (300 with Bose� System)
Drive train		FWD

Engine		MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo
Displacement	cc	2,261
Bore x stroke	mm	87.5 x 94.0
Fuel tank capacity	l	60
Max. output	kW/PS	191/260 at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque	Nm	380 at 3,000 rpm

Fuel consumption *
Combined	l/100km	9.2
Urban	l/100km	13.5
Extra urban	l/100km	7.5
CO2 emission (combined)	g\km	217
Emission		Euro Stage V
Exhaust system		single-nanotechnology
Transmission		6-speed manual transmission
Differential		Torque-sensing Limited Slip Differential

Performance
Max. speed	km/h	250
0-100 km/h (EU)	sec	6.1
Steering		Electro-hydraulic power assist system
Turn lock-to-lock		2.7
Min. turning circle	m	11
Suspension, front		MacPherson strut
Suspension, rear		Multi-link
Coil spring rate, front	N/mm	26.8
Coil spring rate, rear	N/mm	29.9
Dampers, front		Twin tube
Dampers, rear		Mono tube
Stabiliser diameter, front	mm	26
Stabiliser diameter, rear	mm	25
Front brake type, diameter	mm	Ventilated discs, 320
Rear brake type, diameter	mm	Solid discs, 280
Brake booster		8" + 9" tandem booster & large 1" diameter master cylinder
Tyres, wheels		Dunlop 225/40 R18, 18 x 7.5J