Mazda 3 a popular choice

Despite sharing the bigger Mazda 6's disadvantage of no automatic transmission option, it's the same six-speed manual or nothing, Mazda expects to sell 130 diesel 3s per month.

The Mazda3 has become the favourite car of Australia's private buyers, with a choice of 2.0 or 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol models. The diesel packs the same Euro IV emissions-compliant 2.0 turbo diesel seen in the 6, good for 105kW and an immense 360Nm 40Nm greater than Volkswagen's 2.0 TDI.

More significantly, testing shows the diesel can travel 916km on a tank of fuel at its combined average ADR 81/01 fuel test consumption of 6.0 litres per 100km and 1010km when on the highway (5.4 litres per 100km).

Priced from $30,500 for either sedan or hatch, the diesel has equipment equivalent to the Maxx Sport models but add Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control as standard.

The safety package also includes dual front, front side and head-protecting airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist. A downer is the space-saver spare.

To cope with that whopping torque, the chassis has received the body shell reinforcements of the high-po Mazda3 MPS.

Front suspension upper plate, front cowl member and middle tunnel cross member have all been beefed up and the driveshafts upgraded.