The Mazda 3 is Mazda’s compact car that comes delivered both as a 4-door sedan, in three trim levels, and a 4-door hatchback in Sports and Touring trim.
The “Zoom-Zoom” power plant is a 150-horsepower four-cylinder for the standard trims and 160-horsepower four-cylinder for the Sports version. The gearbox comes with a manual gearbox, with the option of 4-speed automatic for the standard trims and 5-speed automatic for the Sports version
The new 2006 Touring sedan version feature ABS, front side airbags and curtain side airbags; while being options for other trim levels (except the Sports hatch). Leather seats and upholstery is standard on the new Touring trims, as are heated front seats and xenon headlamps.
The interior if the Mazda 3 range is built to European standards, and attracts both conservative and adventurous buyers, with its integrated audio systems and red-illuminated instrument console and gauges.
Next year a MazdaSpeed 3 hatchback will hit the American shores which will compliment the new Mazda 3 models that arrive along with it. The new versions will come with improved bracing and suspension tuning, with a restyled front-end and subtle interior improvements.
The MazdaSpeed 3 take takes advantage of its cousin, the MazdaSpped 6 and will utilize its 2.3-liter turbocharged/intercooler engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. With so much power under the front-end, Mazda have introduced a proprietary management system to handle all that torque. Of course, the brakes will be upgraded, all wheels ABS, unique body styling and 18-inch wheels.
For the everyday shopper the Mazda 3 range offers a complete array of functional features, economic permanence, and enough horsepower to get you around town. For the young and adventurous, the Mazda 3 Sports trim suits the budget with peaky performance and reliability; while for those on the edge, the new MazdaSpeed 3 will satisfy your cravings with its high-powered engine in a small nimble body design.
