What they said when the Mazda 3 was new… (Sep 22 2003)
BLAND and unexciting it may have been, but Mazda's 323 hatchback has had a faithful following over the years. A silent army of drivers have subscribed to its enviable reputation for quality build and time-proved reliability - and, perhaps, its very lack of dynamic excitement.
Quite what they'll make of its replacement, the all-new Mazda3, is open to debate.
It would be almost unkind to the 323 to suggest it had become a car for the more mature motorist. Yet, whether mature in age or thinking, it is a fact. It has been the hatchback of choice for those who demand little of their cars other than to get them from start to journey's end in reasonable comfort and with total confidence.
But the new Mazda3 is a very different proposition.
It has all the zoom-zoom DNA which has helped breathe new life into the Mazda brand. Its front end has distinct hints of the styling of the new RX-8 sports car and it looks altogether more aggressive and purposeful on the road. And that could be anathema for those who appreciated the 323 because of its total lack of zoom, zoom.
Their loss, however, is a notable gain for those looking for a sharp, stylish, up-to-the-minute hatchback. The new 3 has road presence galore, where the 323 was notable for its anonymity; it has good road manners, dynamism and decent comfort; it has a competitive range of engines.
All of which means that it can now compete pretty much on a level playing field with the big hitters of the compact family hatchback sector.
While established repmobiles like the Focus and Astra will always continue to dominate the sector, there's a profitable little niche just behind them for "alternative" hatchbacks amongst private buyers looking for something a little different to the norm, but with the same dynamic qualities and image.
And that's the niche Mazda is aiming to fill with the 3.
It looks well equipped to do the job. As part of Ford's global empire, Mazda has been able to raid the blue oval's parts bin and the new car sits on the same platform as the next generation Ford Focus. Most of the running gear is Mazda's own, however.
Three petrol engines will be available when the car is launched in January - 1.4, 1.6 and two litre - with a brace of 1.6 litre diesels following a few months later. A saloon version - arguably even better looking than the five door - will also follow in the spring.
Only the two litre and 1.6 petrol engines were available at the new 3's first Press airing and, of the two, the 1.6 is the most impressive. The bigger unit has 148bhp compared with the 1.6's 104, but on the road the smaller engined car is a more than adequate performer and only gives a couple of seconds away to the two litre on the 0-62mph sprint.
The difference is more noticeable in mid-range, however, where the two litre's additional torque - 135 lb ft against 105 - makes for better low-speed flexibility, more relaxed motorway progress and improved mid-range overtaking power.
Even so, the 1.6 would remain my choice - it's more refined at the top end of the rev range and its hydraulic power steering has more feel and precision than the electro-hydraulic system fitted as standard on the two litre. Both cars handle impeccably, however, and the 3 grips well and feels generally well balanced in fast cornering.
That's partly because the suspension has been tuned towards the sporty end of the scale and this means a firm, though compliant ride. It's comfortable enough, but less acceptable is the amount of road noise and suspension chatter. On smooth tarmac the 3 is admirably quiet, but turn onto a chipping surface or badly broken blacktop and the volume goes up disproportionately. That doesn't bode well for driving this car on Britain's pock-marked road network.
The big selling point for the 3 will undoubtedly be its roomy, neatly designed interior. There's a quality feel and look to the plastics and the corded seat and trim fabric looks substantial and feels good to the touch.
Front seats are comfortable, well shaped and supportive and with height adjustment plus a steering column which adjusts for both height and reach, the vast majority of drivers should be able to find their ideal driving position.
The deeply recessed instruments and neat central console look as though they could have come out of a premium sector car - with the single exception of the transluscent plastic surrounds on the aircon control knobs. More Bettaware than Beemer, I'm afraid.
Mazda doesn't claim class leading interior dimensions, but there's loads of leg and headroom for back seat passengers. While there are belts and headrests for three in the rear, however, it would be a tight squeeze to have to travel three-up for any distance.
No arguing with the luggage space, though. Even with the back seats in position the boot will swallow 300 litres worth of gear, extendable to 635 litres with both sides of the split rear seat folded. There's the smallest of sills to lift things over and a neat, sectioned storage tray under the boot floor for oddments.
Three trim levels will be available when the car goes on sale, but the standard equipment lists have yet to be finalised, as have prices. But expect high specifications and prices starting from around £11,000 or less.
So can the Mazda3 zoom-zoom ahead of the competition in the compact family car sector?
It's an unlikely scenario. The 3 is a giant stride for Mazda but it's no pacesetter and is likely to be eclipsed by the new Astra and Golf which are due to arrive in the new year.
But it is decidedly more stylish and dynamic than the car it replaces and will undoubtedly appeal to a far wider audience.
That audience is defined by Mazda's European marketing chief Nick Short: "It's our strategic intent to attract younger, more affluent buyers into the brand," he says.
The strategy is clearly working. Mazda is currently one of the fastest growing brands in Europe - the new Mazda3 will undoubtedly accelerate that growth still further.
Words: David Whinyates
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