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2012 Mazda3 Philadelphia

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2012 Mazda3 Design

New body and chassis engineering features for 2012 include electro-hydraulic power steering and retuning of the front and rear dampers. Mazda says its setup enables light steering at slow speeds with more feedback and better feel at higher speeds. The body has been further reinforced by increasing the number of spot welds used to join the suspension crossmembers.

Handling of the 2012 Mazda3

The 2012 Mazda 3 will offer a 2.5-liter engine for performance customers. Generating 167 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 168 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm, the 2.5-liter engine is available with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic with manual shift control. For the Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission, the advantages of a conventional automatic transmission, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) were integrated into one unit, using a torque converter with a lock-up clutch.

2012 Mazda3 Lineup

The Skyactiv 2.0-liter engine uses multi-hole injectors, specially developed piston cavity shapes that ensure a shorter combustion time, and dual sequential valve timing. The direct-injection Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine will be offered in addition to the Mazda 3's current 2.0-liter dual-overhead-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine . Mated to the 6-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission, Skyactiv will be available in either the sedan or hatchback models. The normal 2.0-liter engine will continue to be available with the current 5-speed manual or the current 5-speed automatic.

Interior of the 2012 Mazda3

   

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES

   

Speakers: 4

   

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

   

CD player

   

MP3 decoder

   

AM/FM radio

   

SEATS AND TRIM

   

    Front     seats: bucket

   

Front center armrest

   

Split folding rear seat

   

Rear seats: bench

   

Max seating capacity: 5

Conclusion

Mazda 3 sedans and hatchbacks with Skyactiv-G engines will be distinguished by their engine cover, featuring a blue metallic paint finish with black sections along either side, headlamps fitted with a transparent blue ring around the center lens, and a badge featuring a Skyactiv logo against a clear-blue background.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com