Merits of Electronic Throttle
- An improvement in overall vehicle drivability
- Faster, more precise response to accelerator pedal movements
- Smoother throttle control
- Cruise Control is more responsive
- More reliable
Lower fuel consumption for all engines
Mazda engineers also introduced measures to improve fuel economy for all engines. These include lower tensile forces on piston rings, which helps reduce the engine's internal friction loss, and optimization of the engine control parameters. Added to this are new features to improve Mazda3 facelift´s drag coefficient (see next chapter for details), which has been lowered from 0.31 to only 0.30 (hatchback with 15-inch wheels). This results in lower fuel consumption for all engines. With today's high fuel prices, these improvements mean a substantial lowering of operating costs over the life of the car.
Chassis and Safety - Better Control at High Speeds
- Increased body shell rigidity
- Enhanced aerodynamics improve drag coefficient and high-speed handling
- Passive safety levels improved even further
Another important factor contributing to the original Mazda3's success was its outstanding handling and safety. Adding a firm yet comfortable ride, excellent controllability and responsive steering feel - and a long list of active and passive safety features - to its emotionally appealing design and functionality made Mazda3 a truly fun car to look at, be in and drive on a daily basis.
Enhanced body rigidity for a more crisp steering response
New body shell reinforcements have been added to the Mazda3 with the goal of making the car's structure even stiffer. The front suspension housings have a new bracket connecting them to the frame of the fender and the tunnel cross member that connects the transmission tunnel on the body underside has been extended to the frame side 32 members on both sides. These two body shell updates reduce suspension housing and body deformation, and help minimize wheel camber change when cornering, for an even more linear steering response. They also help refine ride comfort by reducing transmission of road vibration from the body's front end.
Suspension updates for more control during sporty driving
Mazda3's acclaimed suspension system - with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension - has also been updated to enhance steering response, stability and to deliver an even flatter ride. For the 2006 version of Mazda3, engineers changed the mounting point of the steer- ing knuckle arm to a more optimal position, which reduces understeer during fast cornering and decreases wheel toe-out by about 25 % on bumps. The revised front dampers reduce damping force lag between compression and extension and make Mazda3 facelift even smoother and more stable during cornering or lane changing at high speeds. For Mazda3 facelift´s multi-point rear suspension, gineers increased rear wheel grip and further improved high speed stability in curves. The lateral link in front of the knuckle now has a new mounting point position, which results in a 30 % increase in toe-in when driving over bumps. The rear axle now employs monotube dampers with a larger piston diameter than the outgoing model's twintube dampers, which improves short stroke damping force and gives a flatter ride. The stabilizer effect has been maximized as well by extending the gap between the rear sub-frame and the rear stabilizer mounting point.
Improved aerodynamics
Engineers also improved Mazda3's drag coefficient from 0.31 to 0.30 (hatchback with 15-inch wheels), by optimizing airflow characteristics under the car's body. This reduction 34 in drag enhances sporty driving and stability even further. To achieve this, engineers introduced a centre floor cover (hatchback only) and tyre deflectors, which contribute to even more exceptional handling stability, with predictable straight line driving and high-speed lane changing.
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