Mazdaspeed3 2007

2007 MAZDASPEED3

The MazdaSpeed3 is the liveliest addition yet to the Mazda3 line-up. Mazda chose the hatchback model to receive a 263-hp, 2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection engine. A six-speed manual transmission is mandatory, and unlike the MazdaSpeed6, the Speed3 cannot be obtained with all-wheel drive. The Speed3 runs on 18-inch wheels, and it is available in red only this year.

Interior and cargo area

The front sport seats are easily accessible and very comfortable, with a multitude of adjustments and side supports worthy of the name. As long as they are not too husky in build, occupants will find their seat holds them very snugly in place. Drivers quickly find a very good driving position thanks to the tilt/telescopic steering column.

The narrow rear doors complicate entry to the back seat, and getting out is a bit of a struggle because of limited foot space. The rear bench has a 60/40 split-fold backrest. Seating is comfortable for two, with good legroom and enough headroom for tall people.

The rear hatch opens wide to provide access to a roomy cargo area. The bumper protrudes enough to make it easy to get dirty when loading or unloading the trunk. The hatch opening mechanism gets your hand dirty nearly every time you use it, and snow or worse, ice on the bumper may make it difficult to access.

Photo: Mazda Convenience and safety features

Fit and finish are excellent and the quality of the materials is good. However, our test car had a few creaks and rattles, especially in back. The Speed3 is a sport car, and exhaust noise is almost always audible. Other types of noise are kept pretty well in check. There are several storage compartments, some of which are roomy.

Instruments and controls are well located and easy to use. At night, only the driver-side power window control is lighted. The rain sensor that determines wiper speed does its job efficiently.

The heating system works very well and has a wide range of adjustments. The radio antenna at the far back centre of the roof can get in the way of objects carried on the roof.

Safety equipment includes two front, two side and two curtain airbags, four locking head restraints, and bright xenon headlights with manual height adjustment. The head restraints do not adjust high enough for tall people. The rear restraints hamper the view to the rear, but visibility is very good in all other directions. Short people may find that the B-pillars create a large blind spot.

In U.S. government tests, the Mazda3 received four out of five stars for driver safety in a front crash, and four stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a “good” rating, its highest, for front occupant protection in an offset frontal crash. The car earned only a “marginal” rating for protection in a rear collision, the second-from-last rating.

Engine and transmission

The 2.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylindre engine develops an impressive 263 horsepower and 280 pounds of torque. Needless to say, acceleration and pickup are instantaneous and beyond vigorous. In certain situations, torque steer can be a problem but less often as you might suspect with so much power. An all-wheel-drive system like the Speed6’s would make all this power and torque easier to manage. In normal acceleration, it takes 7.4 seconds to reach 100 km-h. Hold the engine between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm before popping the clutch very quickly, and you can reach 100 km-h in 6 to 6.4 seconds. The engine is not just powerful; it is supple, too, thanks to the generous torque on tap relatively early. The engine meets LEV “Low Emissions Vehicle” standards.

The six-speed manual transmission, the only one available, is a joy to use. The clutch is naturally a bit firm. The transmission is well geared, except for sixth, which could run the engine at least 500 rpm slower, considering engine power and torque.

On the road

The sport-tuned independent suspension is firm, which means certain bumps are clearly felt though usually not uncomfortably so. When there is a harsh reaction, it is partly due to the 45-profile of the 18-inch tires. As for handling, this Mazda is quick, stable and impressively agile, with a very tenacious grip and virtual absence of lean in corners. It has a solid feel, but is sensitive to side winds.

The power steering and brakes are quick to respond, too, and both require getting used to. Steering is well tuned, but the turning circle is wide. Braking is very powerful and resists well to fade, even after several panic stops. Hopefully the front brake pads will be long lasting, because they are expensive to replace.

At a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, the MazdaSpeed3 proved to be very well assembled. The underside is sturdy, with several bracing components to reinforce it. The suspension is solid, and corrosion protection is good. The overhead cams are chain driven.

Conclusion

The MazdaSpeed3 is very impressive, indeed. What we have here is a civilized sport car that combines enthusiastic performance, a roomy interior and a practical hatchback. However, all-wheel drive would add more balance.

PROS: handling, lively, supple engine, comfortable seating, nice transmission, quick steering, powerful brakes

CONS: non-lighted controls, protruding rear bumper, sensitivity to side winds, wide turning circle, rear visibility, two rear head restraints only

MAZDASPEED3 2007

Engine: 16-valve, 2.3-litre 4-cylinder, turbo Horsepower: 263 hp at 5,500 rpm Torque: 280 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 264 cm Length: 449 cm Width: 176.5 cm Height: 146.5 cm Weight: 1,432 kg Tires: 215/45R18 Maximum towing capacity: prohibited Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags

Fuel consumption: Transport Canada rating: City 11.8 L/100 km (24 mpg) Highway 7.6 L/100 km (37 mpg) Test result: 10.5 L/100 km (27 mpg) Test temperature: -10C to 150C

Fuel tank capacity: 55 litres

Fuel requirement: premium grade gasoline

Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 6 to 7.4 seconds according to the launch technique used 60–100 km/h: 3.5 seconds

Competition: Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI

Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/80,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/80,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 3 years/80,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/128,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system).

Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $550 Front brake disc: $75 Brake pads: $178 Muffler: $591 Front fender: $92

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $779 to $1,098

Price according to trim level: $30,995

Main options: none

Price as tested: $30,995

Freight and preparation: $1,225

Dealers: Quebec: 53 Canada: 159