2007 Mazda 3: Making a Good Thing Even Better
Enhanced Design, Quality, Comfort and Performance highlight updated model
Mazda North American Operations today unveiled an updated and revised version of the MAZDA3 4-Door i and s sedan and 5-Door s at the 2006 Greater New York International Auto Show. MAZDA3 is the company's best-selling vehicle in North America, and has been a hit with customers and media alike.
When MAZDA3 launched in Spring 2003, it forced customers to rethink what was possible in a C-segment vehicle, as it offered exhilarating driving performance, emotional styling and high levels of craftsmanship unseen before in this price and size class. The revised model takes these attributes to a new level, offering improved torque characteristics for both engines, exterior styling enhancements and fit-and-finish and interior trim revisions.
TWO BODY STYLES, TWO PERSONALITIES
Common features for both the 4-Door s sedan (fitted with the 2.3-liter engine) and 5-Door s (on which the 2.3-liter engine is standard) include a body-color front grille and a redesigned front bumper with square fog lamps. The 4-Door s sedan now employs LEDs for the rear combination lamps. In addition, 16- and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels have been redesigned to both accentuate the aluminum alloy look and convey an image of stability.
Both the 4-Door s sedan and 5-Door s have a more athletic look: the 4-Door promotes a feeling of stability, while the 5-Door is the sportiest model in the MAZDA3 lineup and exudes a youthful personality.
2007 MAZDA 3 INTERIOR DESIGN
Particular attention was paid to revising interior quality on all models. The 2.0-liter 4-Door i sedan features two interior colors: beige and black. Both interior color packages receive newly designed white gauges and a zebra-striped wood-finish dash trim. The 2.3-liter s models with black interior and blackout-type gauges include a decorative insert finished with a hairline treatment in the dash. L eather seating surfaces are available as an option for all s models, and new for 2007 on select exterior colors is a gray cloth interior.
MATURED POWERTRAIN LINE UP
The engine lineup for the MAZDA 3 continues to be the MZR 2.0-liter for i models and MZR 2.3-liter on s models, both P-ZEV compliant in California-emission states, Tier 2 Bin 5 in Federal states. All horsepower ratings are now compliant with new SAE measuring standards, with the 2.0-liter engine producing 148 hp (144 hp in P-ZEV trim) at 6,500 rpm* and maximum torque of 135 lb-ft (132lb-ft in PZEV trim) at 4,500 rpm*. The 2.3-liter engine now produces 156 hp (151hp in P-ZEV trim) of maximum power at 6,500 rpm* and maximum torque of 150 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm (149 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm in P-ZEV trim)*.
Both 2.0- and 2.3-liter engines continue to employ a high-accuracy electronic throttle control, along with sequential valve timing (S-VT). Optimal adjustment of the engine's intake valve operation in response to running conditions achieves high charging efficiency. Together with a variable induction system ( VIS), this allows the engine to achieve powerful torque throughout the whole rev range.
A five-speed manual transmission remains standard on all models . Also carrying-over is the availability of Sport AT automatic transmissions for the both the 2.0-liter (four-speed) and 2.3-liter (five-speed) and both have functions that allow the driver to sequentially shift gears up or down.
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