Thursday, February 2, 2012

2012 Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3 Official Photos and Info - car new and review

Mazda is using the New York auto show to formally introduce a raft of mid-cycle changes for its Mazda 3 sedan and five-door hatchback. We received a few initial details in February, but here now is the full scoop on the mechanical and stylistic changes.

SKY’s the Limit

While the current 2.0- and 2.5-liter MZR inline-fours—as well as the Mazda speed 3’s 2.3-liter turbo-four—continue on and remain unchanged for 2012, the big news is the addition of the new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four. Available in both sedan and hatch, the SKYACTIV-G offers 155 hp at 6000 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm, slight boosts over the MZR 2.0 (148 hp, 135 lb-ft). The new mill also achieves improved fuel economy courtesy of its rather lofty 12.0:1 compression ratio, new multi-hole fuel injectors, revised pistons, and dual sequential valve timing that Mazda says also helps reduce pumping losses.

Backing up the new engine are two SKY-themed gearboxes. The SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual is slightly lighter than the standard six-speed and employs a shorter-throw shifter for a crisper feel. The optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic sports a more aggressive lock-up clutch in its torque converter for improved efficiency. (Non-SKY models carry over with five-speed automatics and manuals, save 2.5 models, which get a six-speed manual.) Paired with the new automatic, SKYACTIV sedans are projected to achieve EPA ratings of 28 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, with five-doors at 28/38. That’s up from 24/33 for a 2011 sedan equipped with the 2.0 and five-speed automatic and 22/29 for an automatic five-door with the 2.5.

Sticking with the SKYACTIV-MT lowers the 2012 sedan’s figures to 27 city/39 highway, but that’s still a nice bump from 25/33 for a 2011 model with the 2.0 and five-speed manual. Hatchbacks will be rated at 27 city/38 highway, improving on the 2.5/six-speed-manual combo’s 20/28.

mazda 3

Additional nuts-and-bolts changes for 2012 include the adoption of electro-hydraulic power steering and retuned dampers all around, which Mazda says will give the fun-loving 3 a lighter, more nimble feel at low speeds and more feedback in the corners. Additional spot welds in the suspension crossmembers reinforce the body structure, as does the replacement of two braces under the floor with a single, stronger structure in SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter and 2.5-equipped models.

Still Smiling

Part of the 2012 Mazda 3’s improved efficiency also comes from slipperier, slightly more refined styling—although the smiley face is still here. Although not a dramatic makeover, the revised front fascia is more sculpted than before, the fog lights are now rounded, and the underbody has been tweaked for less drag. There are new 16- and 17-inch wheel designs, too. Those opting for the SKY powertrain will see their 3s fitted with a new, blue-accented engine cover, blue rings around the headlight lenses, and SKYACTIV badging on the rump.

Changes to the interior are minor and are limited to black plastic in the instrument panel and a silver finish on the climate-control dials and audio head unit. Oh, and there’s white text in the information displays in place of last year’s red fonts. The 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 largely carries over, adopting similar styling revisions plus a new leather-wrapped shifter and parking-brake handle.

With a slight tick upward in output and lofty fuel-economy numbers, it seems buyers of the Mazda 3 will be able to have their sake and drink it, too. Well, so long as they shoot for the SKY.