Mazda3 2007 Model Update now out!

[niky]

The Cars:

1.6


1.6 Hatch


2.0R


The Press Release:

THE NEW MAZDA3: THRILL X3

They say everything comes in threes, which is especially great when it comes to the Mazda3! Coinciding with its third anniversary in the Philippines, the New Mazda3 was recently launched, multiplying the thrill with over 100 enhancements that improve driving dynamics, design, craftsmanship, packaging and safety features.

“This year marks the Mazda3’s third anniversary in the Philippines,” said Gerardo Alejandro, Mazda Philippines Managing Director. “We are confident that the third vehicle we introduced in this country 3 years ago, which is the Mazda3, will continue to delight our customers, who enjoy zooming in this cool, compact car,” he added.

A cool cat

You can’t miss the New Mazda3’s High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Auto-Headlamps – these are not only bright, they give the face of the car a fresh look. And when you flip to the other side of the vehicle, you’ll also admire the new rear combination Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. It also has a bootlid recess, which gives an easier fit for the hand when opening the trunk.

The New Mazda3 shows off new front and rear bumpers, and its new front grille gives it a curvier and more striking look. You will roll in style too, thanks to the class-leading 17-inch wheels, which were re-designed across all the models.

Inside the New Mazda3, the new white instrument meter gives it a clean look, and the steering wheel audio controls enhance the sporty, sophisticated drive.

The emotion of motion

The New Mazda3’s driving dynamics include S-VT and VIS, Electronic Throttle Control, Activematic Transmission, Enhanced Sport-Tuned Suspension and Improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) Insulation. But for the average person, what do these features really mean?

Sequential Valve Timing (S-VT) and Variable Intake System (VIS) give you optimum power delivery, fuel economy, and emission performance since it controls intake air volume corresponding to engine operation conditions. The engine’s Electronic Throttle Control also enhances acceleration feel.

The Enhanced Sport-Tuned Suspension includes MacPherson-strut front suspension, which gives sharper steering response at fast cornering and smoother, more stable roll control and a flat ride, and the E-type multi-link rear suspension, which provides higher stability during high speed cornering, substantial damping force even with very short strokes and maximizes the stabilizer effect.

The 2007 Mazda3 also features Improved NVH, which substantially reduces noise coming from the engine, generator, road and wind as well as the droning sound.

While it’s pretty obvious it’s thrill x3, hop into the 2007 Mazda3 and experience the emotion of motion for yourself – it certainly doesn’t hurt that it looks hot too!

Personal Notes:

It doesn't look vastly different, but there are enough tweaks to make it look fresh. There's talk of 100 changes, but aside from the mags and lights, they're all quite subtle. The fact that the hatch keeps the old foglights further differentiates it from the rest of the line-up (as if the different hoodline weren't enough indication). What's weird is that the 1.6 Sedan in the literature also has the old foglights, but the 1.6 Sedan on display has the sharp new rectangular fogs. One notable deletion is that the new 2.0 doesn't have an extended bumper anymore. Which is just as well, the extended bumper didn't flow with the lines well on certain colored cars, but it makes the 2.0 look a little plainer and frumpier.

I particularly like the new foglights and rear LEDs (though the old rear tail-lamps were already perfect). I'm unsure of whether the new, thicker, steering wheel is any better, and any other impressions need to be verified by road-testing and a side-by-side comparison with the old one first. The 2.0 is still claimed at 145 hp... we were hoping for an even 150 hp or more, but the important thing is how it'll feel on the road. With the transmission still the same old 4-speed AT, though, it'll probably feel the same... with maybe a bit more midrange push. There's speculation on a 2.3 or a Mazdaspeed coming in (no committed comments from the Mazda people on this), but at this point, even throwing us a small bone in the form of a 5 speed manual transmission would be welcome.

Even without the suspension tweaks, the Mazda3 was the sportiest handling compact car on the local market (the sportiest decently priced one, I mean). With further tweaks, it should maintain that lead. I can't wait to test drive the new 2.0R. Those 205mm wide Potenzas it comes on look potent for stock tires.

From the press release and literature, prices haven't changed that much, thankfully.

Now, where's my manual transmission, again?

[size=1]EDIT[/size]

Launch Notes:

It's kind of weird to have a launch for a car which is already in stock and on-display at certain dealerships. The hour was really late, the bar was crowded, and traffic was bad... but they served some nice food, so I'll digress... thanks for the food, Mazda. ;)

Nice commercials and audio-visual presentation. We were shown the new Mazda3 commercial (very zoom-zoomy, as expected), and the US Mazda Corporate commercial... very beautifully done. If I can find a copy of that one online, I'll post it. The AV presentation was a bit bombastic, a bit corny, but reasonably well-done. "3volution" was a term they ought to have reserved for the next-generation Mazda3, but I guess they couldn't resist the temptation to use it...

[artpogi]

Niky, eto ba yung sa Yakal st. kahapon

I like the shape/look of the old model.

[Asus700]

is mazda phils content with the sales of their present variant that they see no need to bring in manual transmission?

am wondering if there is enough pressure from the market for a manual trans or maybe the number just dont add up to justify its entry here?

[Bogeyman]

It's probably the trend now; today's drivers are becoming even less inclined to drive stick shifts.

[ace_crv99]

Mazda3 is cool car in our days. New design. cool.

[saipeme]

1.6 sedan/hatch how much kaya?...

[Radical!]

The 2.0 is still claimed at 145 hp... we were hoping for an even 150 hp or more, but the important thing is how it'll feel on the road. With the transmission still the same old 4-speed AT, though, it'll probably feel the same... with maybe a bit more midrange push.

Any feedback on the fuel economy of the new variable valve timing engine? The only thing that's stopping me from choosing a Mazda 3 is its poor fuel economy...

[a4Tech]

May idea ba kayo ng prices nitong bago?

[niky]

Suggested retail price is nearly the same as the old one. Starting at 799, I think... but the base version already has airbags and ABS.

Any feedback on the fuel economy of the new variable valve timing engine? The only thing that's stopping me from choosing a Mazda 3 is its poor fuel economy...

Truthfully, we won't know till they've been broken in. Reports say that the Duratec/MZRs consume much less gas as they get "broken in"... leading me to believe that they're very "tight" engines. Thus, initial fuel economy figures from testers at under 1000 kms on the odometer won't show much.

[orly_andico]

Suggested retail price is nearly the same as the old one. Starting at 799, I think... but the base version already has airbags and ABS.

WTF?!! Malas!

You're saying the entry-level model has dual airbags and ABS already like the 04-06 'V' spec?

[oldblue]

that's good news, entry level with aBS and airbags.

[orly_andico]

Bad news for me and our 1200-km Mazda3

It would most probably be ABS and single airbag, just like the focus.

[parakitoJDM]

Any feedback on the fuel economy of the new variable valve timing engine? The only thing that's stopping me from choosing a Mazda 3 is its poor fuel economy...

MZR engines are much more fuel efficient than of previous Mazda Engines. just as efficient as Toyota's or Honda's w/ Similar Displacement.

[orly_andico]

MZR engines are much more fuel efficient than of previous Mazda Engines. just as efficient as Toyota's or Honda's w/ Similar Displacement.

i cannot reconcile this statement with my 6.9km/L all city driving.
my colleague gets 9km/L with the R18 civic.

[Radical!]

Pardon my ignorance...the MZR engine is what is on the current Mazda 3. While the variable valve timing engine is called a VVT? Is this right?

Which engine is more (fuel) efficient?

TIA

[parakitoJDM]

i cannot reconcile this statement with my 6.9km/L all city driving.
my colleague gets 9km/L with the R18 civic.

Honda's latest R18 is probably the top one to beat in terms of Power per economy. heck the New Civic has even slightly better FC on the HighWay based on the 2008 EPA compared to the 1.5vTEC Jazz/fit (which is also have).... anways i was referring to the MZR 2.0 vs. K20Z3. those two engines arent far apart in terms of Fuel Consumption, the Mazda's might be slightly more fuel efficient but Honda's K20 seems to have higher HP rating...

[niky]

2.0 versus 2.0, yes, the consumption is similar. In fact, the K series is kinda thirsty for a Honda block.

As for the R18 versus the 1.5 VTEC on the EPA, the 1.8 Civic has longer gearing than the Jazz, which gives it the better EPA rating. In terms of city driving, the 1.8 is still comparable to a 1.6.