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.
Approximately 4.4 pounds lighter than the current MZR 2.0-liter engine, which continues for the 2012MY, the SKYACTIV 2.0-liter unit adopts multi-hole injectors to enhance fuel spray characteristics and achieves a high compression ratio of 12.0:1. It delivers 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm, compared to 148HP and 135 lb-ft of the MZR 2.0L.
When equipped with the optional SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic, the 2012 Mazda3 SKYACTIV sedan returns an EPA rating of 40 mpg on the highway, a 21-percent improvement over the current MZR 2.0-liter engine equipped with the optional five-speed auto. City mpg for the sedan version also improves by 17 percent to 28 mpg.
When equipped with the standard SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual, the sedan is rated with an estimated fuel economy of 27mpg city and 39mpg highway.
The SKYACTIV-G unit will also be offered on the five-door hatchback model, in which case it returns a fuel economy of 27 city/38 highway (SKYACTIV-MT) and 28 city/38 highway (SKYACTIV-Drive AT). Mazda attributes the lower highway estimates “to different aerodynamics and the higher weight ratio between the sedan and hatchback”.
The SKYACTIVE models also feature several aero tweaks including larger underbody covers and increased rigidity of the front tire deflectors.
Cosmetically, all 2012 Mazda3 models gain a updated five-point grille opening, restyled front and rear bumpers, and new alloy wheel designs. Inside, the Japanese automaker added new colors and trim options.
Furthermore, the 2012 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback models equipped with SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines are distinguished by certain unique elements such as an all-new engine cover featuring a deep blue metallic paint finish with black sections along either side; headlamp units outfitted with a transparent blue ring around the center lens, and the appropriate badges.
10 Comments:
OMG THIS CAR IS BEAUTIFUL!! I AM SAVEING UP MY MONEY TO BUY THIS AMAZING MACHINE, IT DRIVES WELL AND IS MY DREAM CAR. I HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD SO I CAN FIALLY HAVE IT!!
So NOT impressed with this 'raging war mpg war in the compact passenger vehicle segment in the States'.
28 city / 40 highway?
Whoop-de-doo... my daughter's 1997 Jetta averages almost exactly the same, with a uber-basic, 8-valve, four banger and a 5-speed. No super-complex, super-expensive, hybird, plug-in, start-stop, flippy rad covers, SKY-whatever BS required.
The new compacts are a JOKE, mpg-wise... nothing to show for almost 2 decades of "progress" except a substantially higher purchase price and even higher repair costs.
And that's not all... How about the 50+mpg I regularly got with a 1978 Rabbit diesel in college. If it was any simpler, you'd have to pedal it. And that's a REAL 50+mpg, not the ridiculous short-course EPA "highway" rating (try a 1000 mile nonstop trip at 70+mph and see if you can break 35mpg with a Prius).
So, compact cars today only have another 30% to go to reach the mpg levels of 33 years ago, or, over 3 DECADES. On the other hand, compact diesels available everywhere else in the world easily break into the 60+mpg range... but of course, NONE are imported here, even those made by American companies (Ford's diesel Fiesta, for example)
As I said, so NOT impressed.
you do realize that modern cars are much larger, heavier, more powerful, and more comfortable, right?
As for higher purchase prices- inflation. The cost of owning a car in relation to a person's salary has dropped significantly.
If you hate modern compacts, then fine. Buy an old, 1980s car and drive it every day.
I prefer a 1980s Mercedes 190E
Still a more solid car than this understand friend?
You would think if fuel economy was so important, we w/ have had 6 sp autos years ago. When do 8 sp auto's come out for compacts?? It is sad fuel efficiency isn't higher priority.
Cars of today have grown larger, more weight, more gadgets and safety. Anon2 can go back in a time machine like Michael J Fox and go and drive his late 70s diesel golf.
Just not as exciting as expected. . it really needs a new face.. has never quite looked right, and the rear lights on the hatch look odd.. . Not a Fan
Agree with Anon2's post: 40mpg highway is a big deal? I travel for my business and that's what my no-tech 1999 Civic 4-door averages. With close to 260,000 miles, I'd like to replace it with something more economical, but what? Even the VW TDIs have been strangled down to 40mpg. With fuel prices going the way they are, I'd be all over the Fiesta diesel. 67mpg, now we're talking!!!
If this car had an encounter with the Willys Army Jeep from the movie "Cars" it would be told: "soldier wipe that shit eating grin off of your face, do you hear me?"
This is such a old design but still it looks good and has aged very well coinciding the car has not really been fully redesign since it was revealed in 2003. Credit is due Mazda for making such a good car back in 2003 that has aged well to today, unlike the Honda civic that was revealed in 2006 and has aged bad to where the updated one was revealed and does not look much different, just long in the tooth. Honda should be lucky to have such a car as the 3
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