Driving the new Mazda 3

Hilton Holloway
After a short, but fast drive around the Icelandic coast in the late-model 3 prototypes, there’s no doubt that Mazda has made a major leap forward with its new direct-injection engines.

The new 2.0-litre DI engine – driving a very slick six-speed manual ‘box – is impressively smooth, refined and torquey.

While the revamped 3 still delivers the sensation of being a more compact, handy and pointable car than is common in this class, this petrol engine feels broad shouldered and bigger than its quoted capacity. It has something of feel of the old Golf V5 – a relatively compact car with a satisfyingly punchy engine.

However, the real surprise comes from the 2.2-litre diesel. Not only is this motor also exceptionally refined, it also has quite exceptional pace, especially in the compact 3. Very well matched with the ratios in the six-speed ‘box, the 2.2 had standout overtaking ability – always a good indication of real-world performance. Indeed, such is the engine’s mid-range muscle, Mazda engineers admitted that this model has superior performance to the current 3 MPS.

One problem that affected both cars was tyre noise, long a weak spot on certain Mazda models. But defining the extent of the problem was very difficult because not only are Iceland’s roads some of the noisiest in the developed world, these prototype cars didn’t have the final specification (quieter) tyres fitted.

Even so, it's clear that the next Mazda 3 will be a big improvement over the current car.

I really like Mazda design.. its like soooooooooooooooo Japanese... but well executed.

As for the Mazda3 five-door hatchback, we'll have to wait until some time after the LA Auto Show for that, though we're hoping the new Mazdaspeed3 is not far behind.

Mazdaspeeds historically come at the end of a model's lifetime, and unlike other brands that have changed their practice of that, Mazda really hasn't. I'd say it'll be at least MY2011 before the new Mazdaspeed3 debuts, if there even is one.

Epic fail. Given how popular sport compacts are right now, Mazda would make a huge mistake by continuing to use this sort of timeframe for Mazdaspeed models.

With the credit crunch, I can see people who might've bought, say a 3-series or G35 (if they bought them for being sports sedans), going in for a pocket rocket. That's just what i'd do though...

Possibly 300 HORSEPOWER? If they make that FWD still, the number of deaths due to torque steer will surely rise.

...Enter the RevoKnuckle. "We've redesigned the front suspension", says Jost. "It's a double wishbone setup and uses something similar to a MacPherson strut, only better. The knuckle is mounted to the strut, and now the strut doesn't move under load. It works in conjunction with a new Quaife limited-slip diff, and eliminates steering disturbance. To be honest it's almost unbelievable"