CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
February 21, 2014
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 442
MAZDA 3: Its strong styling is gathering a lot of attention in Australia.
Mazda 3 is ready for the sales fray T
here’s no more important model to Mazda than its biggest selling model, the small-medium Mazda3. And there’s no more important country to Mazda than Australia - accounting for 10 per cent of the model’s worldwide sales since 2004. The new Mazda3 hopes to continue the success. Its shape follows the styling cues of other recent Mazda model cars, but takes the theme to new levels with bold sporty lines that attracted a lot of attention from people who noticed it during our first Australian test drives out of Adelaide. The complex grille sits close to being vertical to make for a long bonnet, and the body sits on a longer wheelbase and
By EWAN KENNEDY therefore has shorter overhangs in a very European manner, which also gives improved interior room. Inside, there’s a strong Italian look to the instrument layout with the topline models having a single large gauge for the tachometer. It’s flanked by a pair of smaller digital displays, one showing a digital speedometer. It certainly works nicely. Body rigidity has been improved by 30 per cent compared to the outgoing model, yet weight has been reduced by up to 70 kg. Mazda3 is offered with two engine choices: a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 114 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque at
4000 rpm, and a new 2.5-litre petrol unit producing 138 kW, and 250 Nm at 3250. Mazda figures show the engines use about 30 per cent less fuel than the units they supersede. Transmissions are six-speed manual and six-speed automatic. Both are new designs that improve efficiency and make for sharper driving. Mazda has been pushing hard on safety for a number of years and even the lower cost versions have better than average levels. Major safety features include milliwave radars and cameras to support the driver in recognising hazards, avoiding collisions and minimising damage; automatic headlamps that move between high and
low beams; Blind Spot Monitoring; Lane Departure Warning; Forward Obstruction Warning; Smart City Brake Support, if the driver fails to do so, this system does their braking for them; and six airbags. Engine performance from the smaller engine is adequate and it can struggle a bit on hills at times. Even the larger powerplant is more tradesmanlike than sporting. The suspension tune has been carried out exceptionally well. Road grip is high and the feedback through the steering is excellent. The complete 2014 Mazda3 range has competitive pricing - contact your local Mazda dealer for driveaway prices.
All 2013 Mazda 3’s SOLD! Come in and see our new model!
2014 Mazda 3 - NEW SHAPE, NEW DESIGN, NEW LOOK!
ONE MILE
MOTORS ABN 44 048 105 609 LMCT 1060
10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta Paul Davenport 0408 057 837 Matt Thewlis 0428 215 677 Michael Henderson 0418 512 531
(03) 5721 5677 c/21d08688-V7/0814