CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
May 30, 2014
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 449
NEW MAZDA3: First impressions hold high hopes for this classy compact.
Mazda philosophy sees classy compact T
he ‘3’ has been a Mazda mainstay for several years. And with the arrival of the third generation in Australia, it’s easy to see why. An even dozen variants tap in to technology usually found in vehicles at the luxury end of the premium market to offer generous specification at sharp prices. Offered in sedan and hatchback versions, the new Mazda3 comes with a choice of two engines: the 2.0- or 2.5-litre
ROAD TEST BY DEREK OGDEN
SkyActiv petrol engine, mated with either SkyActiv six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Some familiar names turn up among the six grades available - Neo, Maxx,Touring, SP25 and SP25 GT. The Astina moniker, from way back, also makes a return to the fold. Prices start at $20,490, plus on-road
costs, for the 2.0-litre Mazda3 Neo manual and rise to $38,190 for the 2.5-litre SP25 Astina automatic, putting the Mazda3 at the heart of the compact market. We spent a fair bit of time in a Mazda3 SP25 2.5 six-speed manual hatch listed at $25,890, which is below the launch price of the superseded model. The test car was fitted with a Mazda Safety Pack for an extra $1500, making the
total cost $27,490 as tested. Mazda says it was out to create pleasing first impressions, designers calling on the company’s Kodo, Soul of Motion, design language previously used in the CX-5 compact SUV and Mazda6. There’s no doubt the new ‘3 has a striking street presence, especially in its hatchback format, with its steeply raked profile. Continued page 3