Mazda 3 starts from top

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Mazda starts from top
Published: 18/03/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: Life
 
Shoot, how much does the 3 cost?

Mazda Sales Thailand yesterday formally launched the all-new 3 in four-door saloon and five-door hatchback forms with 2.0-litre petrol engine, each costing an identical 1.064 million baht.

Although there is only one specification level, buyers can choose from seven exterior colours and two interior themes (black or beige).

The equipment list include cabin-filled airbags _ the most in its class if you don't count the nearby Toyota Prius five-door hatchback. Other features include sunroof, multi-information display, keyless entry and start, 17-inch wheels and paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.

Unlike in the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, there is no navigation system in the second-generation 3. And because of this, the 3 is around 10,000 baht dearer than those two, meaning that Mazda will do a lot of talking about safety.

- The engine is the same like before, right?

Right. The 2.0-litre petrol engine _ shared with the Ford Focus 2.0 _ has been carried over and delivers 147hp. The 3's power is 2hp more than in the Corolla and Focus but 7-8hp less than in the Civic and Mitsubishi Lancer EX accordingly.

And since you might be asking, the 3's four-speed automatic has been updated to a five-speeder with adaptive shifting mechanism (and, of course, the paddle-shifters).

This brings the 3 on par with the Civic but behind the six-speed auto of the Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 and CVT autos of the Corolla and Lancer.

- Hmm... what about the 1.6?

Mazda hasn't introduced the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol version yet. Sources say it should come at the end of the year.

Within this year, Mazda is also likely to offer stripped-out versions of the 2.0 to lower the price. Let's not forget that one million baht-plus C-segment family cars only sell in small numbers and are meant as image-boosters.

- It seems Mazda is really taking it easy...

Yeah, even when the second-gen 3 is about to reach mid-life in world markets where the car was timely launched.

As we found out during our first drive of the new 3 last month on a racing circuit, Mazda has injected more driving and ride comfort into it. That's why they were yesterday talking about more ergonomic front seats and driving environment and better external noise suppression.

We'll get a chance to properly drive the 3 on public roads late next month. So let's hope the car delivers because the 3 is late to the C-segment party in Thailand.
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