Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-G - an exotic alternative
The new compact from the Land of the Rising Sun is distinguished not only by its spectacular body line, well-tuned suspension and reasonably calculated price. Car enthusiasts around the world have long been talking about the Skyactiv-G engine. Is 120 hp justified? from ... two liters of power in the era of downsizing?
Cars from Japan are practical and durable. Mazda has never forgotten that cars should also be fun to drive. The engineers of the Japanese concern did not stop at improving proven solutions. Mazda experimented with Wankel engines and four-wheel steering systems. The company is not idle when it comes to electronics. In 1990, the Eunos Cosmo model appeared with a touch screen for navigation, ventilation and on-board audio!
What about design? Sometimes he was better, sometimes worse. In recent years, Mazda designers have begun to more clearly define the fenders, decorate the doors with increasingly interesting moldings, enlarge the grilles and experiment with the design of the lamps. Mazda's current styling concept was formed in 2010 when the company introduced the Shinari. A striking prototype marked the advent of the Kodo design. It was also a foretaste of the new Mazda 6, which in turn inspired the team working on the third generation Mazda 3.
Having made its debut in the middle of last year, “Troika” is one of the most interestingly designed discs. Live Mazda looks even better than in the pictures. The effect is created by perfectly matched proportions and the play of light on the numerous ribs of the body.
We will not be disappointed even after we get behind the wheel. The interior lines match the exterior design. Many solutions correspond to the sporty style of the "troika" - a steering wheel that fits perfectly in the hand, a cockpit surrounding the driver and stylistic delights, incl. red leather stitching and panels imitating carbon fiber inserts. The seats are well contoured to provide long-distance comfort and proper lateral support.
Display panel of unusual design. The central point was the analog speedometer. On the right side is the on-board computer screen, and on the left is a small digital tachometer. Traditionally, Mazda did not provide a place for the engine temperature gauge - there was only a badge informing about the low temperature of the coolant. There are also no large pockets in the side doors, “automatic” opening of the windows in the passenger door, a central lock control button or a door locking system after starting off.
Troika received a new generation multimedia system. Its heart is a 7-inch display. It resembles a tablet - not only in design, but also in resolution and touch control (in stationary mode). For the sake of comfort and safety, Mazda engineers have also prepared a handle surrounded by five function buttons. The capabilities of the onboard electronics of the car are quite large. Interested parties can, in particular, use Facebook and Twitter, as well as listen to Internet radio. People who cannot part with their favorite music will also be satisfied. "Troika" received an Aux connector, two USB connectors and an interface that displays the covers of currently playing albums.
However, the system needs polishing. Not all features are easy and intuitive to use. The file player repeatedly failed to remember the time when the sound was turned off. Once he refused to cooperate with the music source at all, but after restarting the engine, everything returned to normal. Disk icons were presented on the screen, but after a while the electronics decided that it would only display some of them. Is the automotive industry entering an era in which the correct operation of on-board electronics will depend on the installation of the latest updates?
Like its predecessor, the new troika is one of the longest cars in its class. With a length of 4,46 m and an excess of the average wheelbase (2,7 m), you don’t feel very good in the cabin. There are a lot of places, but you can’t talk about too much either. The tall central tunnel means four people can comfortably fit on long haul routes. In turn, the short tailgate forces you to stretch a little when you exit. The trunk, devoid of nets and hooks that increase functionality, holds 364 liters - this is an average result. Trunk trim could be better. Loose carpet is not suitable for a car with high aspirations.
On the other hand, Mazda hasn't skimped on the suspension, which compact car makers are trying to do more often by going back to the torsion beam. The rear wheels of all motorized versions of the "troika" are controlled by a multi-link system that provides the most effective damping of bumps, reacts more calmly to load changes and guarantees large reserves of grip - especially on bumpy corners, which are many in Poland. The springy suspension reminds the driver of the condition of the road surface. However, there is no discomfort, because even serious asphalt faults are absorbed smoothly and without knocking.
Mazda drives in neutral. The first signs of understeer can be compensated for by stepping on the gas or braking with your left foot and the car will return to the ideal track or twist the curve a little. Driving pleasure is enhanced by easily visible traction restrictions and precise and direct steering. The ESP system was not overly sensitive. It intervenes when it's really needed, without overpowering the car at the first sign of loss of traction. All this means that the new Mazda can be considered one of the most manageable compacts in good conscience.
Mazda has been feeding its cars on a strict diet for several years now. The "two" lost weight, the weight of the previous "troika" was kept under control, and the new "six" and CX-5 are among the lightest models in their class. The strategy was continued when working on the new Mazda 3. However, the weight of the test car turned out to be a surprise. The manufacturer says 1239 kg. We know the lighter C-segment hatchbacks. It's also worth adding that the Mazda 6 with an automatic transmission and a two-liter gasoline engine weighs 1255 kg.
How big is the engine needed to produce 120 hp? In the era of downsizing, this value can be squeezed out of a liter of capacity without much effort. Mazda went its own way. A 2.0 Skyactiv-G engine appeared under the hood of the Troika. The unit does not impress with maximum power, but it makes up for it with torque, delivering 210 Nm. In the technical data, the manufacturer indicates that a car with automatic transmission should accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 10,4 seconds. The result was significantly overestimated. The best time we measured for acceleration to “hundreds” is 9,4 seconds. We add that the test was carried out on wet pavement and the car had winter tires. Under optimal conditions, the result would be even better.
The "automatic" Skyactiv-Drive has a torque converter. Japanese engineers squeezed all the juice out of the classic design. The gearbox is smooth and shifts very quickly. The cuts are the most impressive. You can instantly switch from six to three or from five to two. Even dual clutch transmissions can't do that.
In manual mode, the transmission controller does not challenge the driver's decision - the highest gear does not shift even with the engine turned up to the stop. During the descent, the tachometer needle may stop at about 5000 rpm. It is a pity that shifters for manual gear shifting were skeptical. On the other hand, the absence of the "Sport" mode does not bother at all - the box recognizes the wishes of the driver very well.
It is enough to press the gas harder and the engine will keep at high speeds. However, their use is associated with a significant increase in the noise level in the cabin. To make matters worse, the tune played by the four cylinders isn't the prettiest. Another disadvantage is the limited maneuverability of the powertrain - in the test car it is effectively masked by an efficient gearbox. If you press the gas to the floor at 80 km / h, then the gear will quickly decrease and after 6,8 seconds the speedometer will show 120 km / h. Using manual mode, we block the sixth gear and repeat the operation. This time, the transition from 80 to 120 km / h takes 19,8 seconds. In the "troika" with manual transmission, it is better not to count on a much better result.
It is worth emphasizing that the large displacement of the Skyactiv-G engine does not have a significant impact on fuel consumption. In the city, the engine needs 8-9 l / 100km, and outside the settlements, the on-board computer says 6-7 l / 100km. Thus a naturally aspirated 1,0 liter engine can burn less fuel than turbocharged 1,4-XNUMX liter engines. It's hard not to wonder if the increasingly common downsizing makes sense, since a naturally aspirated engine can have reasonable fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions that won't require a turbine replacement, nor will it cause surprises like cracked pistons. .
Prices for the new Mazda 3 start at PLN 63. The moderately equipped and not too fast 900-horsepower 100 Skyactiv-G SkyGo can be safely skipped and go straight to the 1.5-horsepower version 120 Skyactiv-G SkyMotion. It costs PLN 2.0. Similar money needs to be prepared for the purchase of competing compacts. Careful comparison of offerings is starting to tip the scales in Mazda's favor. The SkyMotion version has a wide range of equipment, including 70-inch alloy wheels, low-speed collision avoidance, dual-zone climate control, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth, an audio system with Aux and USB sockets, and a multimedia system with a 900-inch screen.
Many customers will have to add PLN 2000 for metallic paint or PLN 2600 for performance Soul Red paint to the final price of the car. Taking this opportunity, it is worth mentioning the prices for other options – PLN 3440 for a set of parking sensors, more than PLN 430 for LED fog lights, PLN 800 for an ashtray and cigarette lighter and about PLN 1200 for a commuter. wheel is a gross exaggeration. At the dealership we will buy an original spare wheel for zlotys. Do wrench, jack, nuts and plastic inserts around the driveway cost PLN?
The new Mazda 3 has been very well received by the market, which is not surprising. The Japanese concern has developed a car equal to the best in appearance and driving performance. The Troika should not disappoint with high loss of value and shortcomings. Many drivers consider the noise of the engine screwed in at high speed to be the biggest problem with the car. Too bad Mazda didn't work on the sound.
