Mazda 3 2006 News

The entry level Neo model of the popular Mazda3 doesn't have a reversing camera, and many expected the brand to fit one as standard when it announced a pricing adjustment as a result of the free trade agreement with Japan.Instead, the brand made rear parking sensors and alloy wheels standard on the Neo, despite the fact that some of the cheapest cars on the market — including the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz — now have cameras as standard equipment."It might surprise you," Benders said, "but I don't have a string of customer complaints or comments saying, 'where's my reversing camera?'"There is no silver bullet to stop accidentsBenders said a reversing camera shouldn't be relied on to guard against driveway tragedies involving young children."I don't see the driveway as being a place where kids should be walking around in the first place," he said."I expect that people who drive cars take care and attention about how they drive their cars. Reversing cameras are not infallible. They're more an aid but so are reverse parking sensors and they will pick up obstacles in the same way."He later clarified his comments, saying he hadn't meant to be dismissive about the cameras, but was making the point that drivers had to take responsibility for road safety, rather than rely on crash-avoidance technology."There is no silver bullet to stop accidents," he said.

Increasing competition in the hot hatch segment has pushed Mazda plans for a Mazda 3 MPS powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre, according to insiders in Japan.

The Japanese brand has boosted the features list for the small car range by adding Bluetooth - already standard in key competitors Cruze and Corolla - to the entry-level $20,330 Neo model without adding to the price tag.The system will enable hands free phone use and music streaming, the latter also on offer via a USB input. A USB connection also allows for full iPod integration and function via the steering-wheel mounted controls and information being displayed on the centre display.So far this year the Mazda3 has sold more than 28,000 units and was just ahead of the Toyota's HiLux range of two and four-wheel drive utility vehicles in second and the soon-to-be-replaced Corolla in third.Mazda Australia's national marketing manager, Alastair Doak, says the Mazda3 is Australia's most popular car and the updates were designed to maintain that. “With the introduction of Bluetooth and USB across the entire range, offering even more value to the customer, we expect the appeal to continue.“The fact that the latest enhancements come at no extra cost shows that we are intent on giving Mazda buyers more,” he says. Mazda facelifted the top-seller last year, so the extra equipment is part of an upgrade the company would hope helps keep the hatch and sedan range in the top tier of the car sales race, as the next Mazda3 is not likely until next year.The Mazda3 MPS hot hatch has also been updated with changes to the paintwork and wheels, with no change to the $39,490 price tag. “It's a tweak with the MPS - it was made available to us, the MPS wasn't part of that facelift last year so it was an opportunity for us to bring some updates to the MPS as well,” Mr Maciver says.Exterior mirrors, part of the rear spoiler and rear lower bumper are now painted in a black mica colour, the radio reception is now taken care of by a shark fin antenna and the alloy wheels have taken on a dark metallic hue. “The main volume market for the (Mazda6 MPS) car is the US but ultimately the volume wasn't there, that's the reason the decision was made to stop production of the car, there's no plans to add more MPS models,” he says. 

Mazda is on a high right now after securing its best sales month in history in June with 8406 vehicles sold.

The biggest recall has hit Toyota, which wants to check 144,500 Camrys for headlights, and nearly 8000 Honda Civics also have light problems.The federal Department of Transport says eight imported cars have been recalled since June 1, even Volvo, which makes safety a key selling point, hasn't escaped, recalling cars to check on a faulty door assembly.The latest recalls are;Audi: A6 built between March 2004 and March 2005 may have a software fault which, in exceptional circumstances, could delay release of both front air bags in an accident. Number of cars, 464.Toyota: Camrys built from June 2002 to May 2006; faulty headlight switch which may cause headlights to flicker or temporarily fail. Number involved, 144,589.Honda: Civic sedan and somes hatches built between 2001 and 2002; problem with plastic terminal connector melting, causing low beam lights to fail. Number, 7979.Volvo: Current model C70 may have incorrect left hand door assembly, so it doesn't meet legal requirements in an accident. Number, 173.Mazda: The Mazda3 MPS built from May 2006 to May 2007 may have a loose bolt securing the engine and transmission to its mounting. If it falls out, the engine may drop, detaching the drive shaft. Number of recalls, 1160. Recall will start next week. 

Now it's down to the judges to decide which of the 10 finalists will win the award to be announced in a special edition of CARSguide next Friday.Our top 10 has been achieved after an extensive search and culling process covering all cars launched in Australia in the past year.The judging criteria included assessing styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build quality and performance.Our motoring experts, motoring editors and senior motoring writers from The Daily Telegraph, Herald-Sun in Melbourne, The Courier-Mail in Brisbane, The Advertiser in Adelaide, The Mercury in Hobart and The Sunday Times in Perth extensively tested the 10 finalists earlier this month. The three-day back-to-back testing, included a full day's driving at Wakefield Park in Goulburn.The finalists were driven in a wide mix of environments and road conditions, including wet, dry, city, freeway, highway and country roads.Fiat Punto EmotionJudge Keith Didham's comment:Fiat returned to the Australian market in August after a 17-year gap. The Punto is one of Europe's biggest sellers, but can that success be replicated here?Fiat reopened the batting Down Under with four variants, with a choice of five-door or three-door manual hatches powered by 1.3 or 1.9-litre turbo diesel or a 1.4-litre petrol motor. Fiat last month added two more smart sequential automatic variants to round out the range to six. Prices range from $19,990 for the Dynamic to $27,990 for the better-equipped Emotion as tested here.The cute Giorgetto Giugiaro styling comes with a strong hint of Maserati about its nose, while the cabin is unmistakably Italian, so the car appeals to the buyer looking for something out of left field from the bevy of small-car clones. The Punto's biggest attractions, however, are its frugal fuel economy, comfortable four-seat cabin and five-star crash rating.The perky diesel feels robust once you get it up and running and riding the torque wave.It's a strong performer, with plenty of grip and good dynamics, but the trade off can be a harsh ride, while the steering sometimes lacks feedback.The Punto is premium priced, but standard kit includes electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, cloth trim, cruise control, a decent CD audio system, remote locking, airconditioning and power windows.Holden Astra CDTiJudge Bryan Littlely's comment:There is a very straightforward reason for the Holden Astra CDTi's inclusion in the CARSguide Car Of The Year Award - and that is its diesel engine.The stylish, imported Astra is the first diesel passenger car to wear the badge of an Australian manufacturer in more than 20 years, a wise move by Holden given the surge in popularity of diesel powered vehicles amid rising fuel prices.But the Astra is an attractive option for much more than its powerplant. It has the styling that would appeal to a wide range of car buyers and, at $29,990 for the six-speed manual, it is very competitive with European brands on price.The Holden Astra offers good ride and handling in a comfortable and practical package that is fun to drive - if not all glitz and glamour - and it certainly proved its worth during the judging.Holden still has some issues to overcome with this car if it is to convert car buyers from petrol to diesel but, overall, it offers a solid package and a good entry point for buyers wanting to make the shift to diesel-powered vehicles.Hyundai Elantra EliteJudge Kevin Hepworth's comment:Once the whipping boy of poor build quality, Hyundai has turned around its reputation to the point where it is now winning quality surveys in major international markets.A fine example of that new attention to detail was the action the company took after criticism of the Elantra's woolly steering at its Australian release. Within days a team of engineers was flown from Korea to recalibrate the cars.While it is still not perfect it is a huge improvement and a credit to Hyundai's determination to improve wherever it can. And while there may still be the odd question mark over styling - the curved crease-line down the car's flanks comes readily to mind - the Hyundai Elantra Elite offers a comprehensive package for its $24,990 sticker price.Not the least of the attractions in the Elite is the included safety pack of electronic stability control and six airbags.The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, coupled to a five-speed manual, puts out a reasonable 105kW and the Elantra offers a good quality ride for a car in its segment.The finalists1: Audi Q7 TDI 4WD, $85,7002: Fiat Punto Emotion diesel $27,9903: Ford Focus XR5 5-cyl turbo hatch, $35,9904: Holden Astra CDTi diesel $29,9905: Holden VE Calais V8 V-series sedan, $58,4906: Hyundai Elantra Elite $24,9907: Mazda3 MPS 4-cylinder turbo hatch, $39,9908: Porsche Cayman S 2-door coupe, $148,5009: Toyota Aurion Presara V6 sedan, $49,99010: VW Passat wagon 4-cylinder turbo, $44,990The winner will be announced next Friday.

We announced the first four finalists on our Top 10 list last week and the final three finalists will be revealed next Friday.Our top 10 finalists have been achieved after an extensive search and culling process through all cars launched in Australia over the past year.Our motoring experts, motoring editors and senior motoring writers from The Daily Telegraph, Herald-Sun in Melbourne, The Courier-Mail in Brisbane, The Advertiser in Adelaide, The Mercury in Hobart and The Sunday Times in Perth have joined CARSguide's search for Australia's car of the year - the best of the best for 2006.Earlier this month the 10 finalists were tested extensively over three days, including a full day's driving at Wakefield Park at Goulburn, to find a winner.The judging criteria ranges across styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build quality and performance.The finalists were driven in a wide mix of environments and road conditions, including wet, dry, city, freeway, highway and country roads.The 2006 CARSguide Car of the Year will be announced on December 1.Mazda 3 MPSJudge Gordon Lomas' comment:In an age where hot hatches have staged a big revival on the new-car landscape, the MPS makes the final list on the strength of its sheer point and squirt capability.Point because it steers as though it has German blood, and squirt because it is the hottest four-potter in production at Hiroshima. The MPS is raw, mean and keen. It offers enormous bang for your buck with this $40,000-odd package delivering stunning levels of performance.If the WRX was the turbo cult car of the 1990s, then Mazda has come up with the next big daddy of the hot four-cylinder world.It has the tricky differential - torque management keeping a lid on the MPS's boost in first and second gears so the driverwon't have any nasty surprises when some steering angle is wound on.The MPS is a tough car that is practical as well as being armed with attributes for those seeking track day enjoyment.Porsche Cayman SJudge Stuart Martin's comment:The Boxster S platform doesn't need a solid roof to compensate for any platform deficiencies, but put one on it and the result - Cayman S - retains the droptop's serious abilities, with extra platform strength.Gorgeous curves (to most eyes) cloaka chassis that is entertaining, challenging and communicative - so much so it feels as though it could use more horsepower.Porsche were accused of limiting outputs to preserve the 911's position, but the Cayman S is a different beast. Mid-engined balance, luggage space front and rear, the two-seater puts a smile on the face of any driver.On road, the suspension copes with broken bitumen, but once on a favourite back roador at a track, the Cayman S hunkers down and yowls seductively, with myriad options to sharpen its claws.The most expensive in the field might not be a commuter tool, but there's plenty to like about the svelte coupe.Ford Focus XR5Judge James Stanford's commentA Ford hot hatch with the heart of a Volvo was an easy pick for the Car of The Year finalists. The XR5 exploded on to the road in April and the waiting list has been growing ever since.Instead of using a four-cylinder engine as other hot hatches have, the XR5 has a five-cylinder engine with a turbo strapped on.The potent engine, which has 166kW and 320Nm of torque, came straight from Ford's Swedish friends at Volvo.It is a cracker engine, with low-down urge and a wonderful meaty exhaust note thanks to a large muffler that takes up the space normally used by a full-size spare (it now has a space saver).The XR5 has chunky 18-inch wheels, sports suspension and styling that means it is instantly recognised as a performance car.With a starting price of just $35,990, the XR5 is a strong contender for this year's biggest award.The finalists1: Audi Q7 TDI 4WD, $85,7002: Holden VE Calais V8 V-series sedan, $58,4903: Toyota Aurion Presara V6 sedan, $49,9904: VW Passat wagon 4-cyl turbo, $44,9905: Ford Focus XR5 5-cyl turbo hatch, $35,9906: Mazda3 MPS 4-cyl turbo hatch, $39,9907: Porsche Cayman S 2-door coupe, $148,5008: TBA9: TBA10: TBARemaining three finalists to be announced next Friday.

IT IS no coincidence that Mazda has placed a key safety feature at the top of the 29 improvements to the updated 3.Electronic stability control (ESP) is now available on every Mazda3, joining GM Holden and Renault in a major mass-market move to the latest in active safety systems designed to help cars avoid a crash.But ESP will not be standard on every Mazda3. The company is expecting a take-up rate of only about 25 per cent as an option, even though it's an affordable $1000 upgrade on the Maxx, Maxx Sport and SP23 models and is part of a safety pack that includes four airbags on the base Neo model for $1830.From the outside it is hard to see how Mazda has changed the 3, but dig a little deeper and the list of revisions is collectively significant.New safety features include seatbelt warning systems for rear seating positions to go with the two front-seat warnings, a collapsible brake pedal and a redesigned steering-wheel adjustment lever that minimises the risk of lower leg injuries in frontal crashes.Mazda has responded to customer feedback by cutting noise and vibration. It also claims engine drone and wind and tyre noise have been reduced in the 3.The base model Neo increases in price by $200 to $20,990 for the manual, but gains anti-skid brakes, seatbelt warning systems, MP3 compatible CD and new trim.The price of the manual Maxx has increased $500 to $25,000, the Maxx Sport jumps $845 to $26,500, and the SP23 increases by $280 to $29,600.There is also the addition of sequential valve timing for the 2.0-litre Neo, Maxx and Maxx Sport that helps lift power by 4kW to 108kW on regular unleaded with a 1Nm rise in torque to 182Nm.The suspension has come in for a fair degree of treatment, new mounting points at the front helping to improve steering speed and eliminate some understeer.All models now have electronic throttle control, which helps refine the vehicle's acceleration.Access to cargo is improved on the popular sedan, and the hatch boot space now measures 340 litres.Electronic throttle control may also help iron out some bugs associated with the retro-fitted cruise control (now standard on all models except the Neo) that dogged some of the first-generation Mazda3s.New six-speed manual and five-speed automatic sequential transmissions are available on the SP23 model.The auto comes with the standard Activematic gear lever, and new shift buttons are mounted on the steering wheel.

While being Posh Spice affords you the luxury of being snotty to everyone while wearing all the best labels, being Baby Spice means everyone fusses over you. Sporty Spice is the pick of the bunch.The image of a sports star is undeniably sexy - think the toned, tanned looks of Maria Sharapova or Shane Crawford.The same theory applies for motor vehicles. You'd always want to be a sports car if you were a car – why would you opt to be a family wagon or worse a people mover? The sports car is glam, fun, risque – it's the marines, surgery, the hottest of the careers. I've always considered myself a bit of a Sporty Spice.I'm a sports nut – will sit and watch hours of it on the telly. I even play a bit. But, sadly, I'm not quite as good I'd like to be.Thankfully, the Mazda3 doesn't have any such problems living up to its sports title.With gorgeous leather-trimmed seats, racy red and blue (go Demons) interior display and a cute little backside, she is just like the Russian tennis sensation – but without the grunting. She goes very fast and, as they say in commercials, handles like a dream.In fact, it has just about every add-on you could wish for, radio controls on the steering wheel, chrome touches and funky styling.The need for speed is a calling card of a sports car, but this little lady certainly doesn't like the lower speeds. The speedo starts its measurements at the equivalent of 6 o'clock, where many cars start around 8 o'clock.Maybe it was just a freak thing because of my height, the way I sit (I really must develop better posture) or the shape of the steering wheel – yes, I know it's round. – but I seriously couldn't see how fast I was going below about 40km/h.Thankfully, I didn't hit too many school zones or roadworks. That aside, the real fun began when I almost became mechanic Spice.Coming out of a concert late one night, I discovered my sports star had an injury – a decided lean to the right. It'd pulled a hamstring (code for picking up a puncture).My father had the good sense when I got my driver's licence to teach me how to change a tyre: "You never know when you'll need to do it," he warned. He was right.Sadly, though, no amount of muscle power was getting the wheel off. When it had been constructed, the wheel had basically glued itself to the axle, meaning that despite three of us pulling, we still could not get the wheel off (and yes we did remove the nuts; don't assume I'm a use less woman). Eventually admitting defeat, we lowered the car and as if out of spite, off the tyre came.Quickly replacing it with the Lego-land-style spare, I headed home, then straight to the dealership the next morning.While sports stars can be high-maintenance, I'm sure this one usually isn't; I just didn't treat her right.So if you're as good at sport as Pom Phil Tufnell is at fielding, your answer may well lie in a sports car.And then you can finally respond to the Spice Girls' smash hit, Tell me what you want, what you really, really want.LOVE IT LEAVE ITMazda 3 SP23Price: $32,080LOVE ITCute little backside (again, let's not mention Serena Williams) and the red dash display, we all know red goes faster.LEAVE ITThe crazy speedo, why start so low, I couldn't see what speed I was doing below 40km/h.

Seen as a crucial gap-filler for GM Holden's line-up and a head-to-head competitor with Ford's market-dominating Territory, the Captiva is a mid-sized machine, which will launch with a 3.2-litre Holden V6 engine.It is expected to be on sale in Australia in the second half of this year with diesel and four-cylinder engines on the horizon.Details of the local Captiva are still a little sketchy, but GM Holden confirms it will be available as a five- and seven-seater with an "active" (part-time) four-wheel-drive system, which feeds on-demand drive to rear wheels.GM Holden chairman Denny Mooney says there was extensive Australian input into the Captiva project that "covers the outside, inside and underneath to ensure it looks, feels and drives as a Holden should"."This has been a missing link in our product line-up," Mooney says.The Geneva show was the launching pad for new models ranging from production-ready family cars to exotic concepts.Saab stole a good deal of the limelight with its Aero X concept, which not only shows a new life in the Swedish manufacturer's design department but also highlights a new direction for green technology.Fitted with a BioPower turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW, it is being trumpeted as a hero car for the bio-fuel movement.The Aero X is also a looker and Saab has tapped its aircraft roots to add a fighter-style cockpit canopy which does away with doors, opening windows and even windscreen pillars. "It represents our vision of what a high-performance car from Saab could look like," says Anthony Lo, the director of advanced design for General Motors Europe. The Concept A on the VW stand is a good example of an idea getting very close to a production future.Rumours abound about a Golf-based small SUV under development at Volkswagen and the Concept A fits that scenario to a T. The concept combines a sleek coupe-style silhouette with the raised stance of an SUV.The drive train is VW's tried-and-tested 4MOTION system while the engine is at the cutting edge of the company's combined use of turbo and supercharger technology. A production schedule for the Concept A could become reality in months.Kia's sleek SUV concept, the Cee'd, is based on the company's C-segment passenger model which start production in Slovakia in December. European Design Centre chief designer Gregory Guillaume says the concept was "the starting point for the new design DNA for Kia". Cee'd incorporates a mixture of designs from the Sorento SUV to the small Picanto.On the more extreme end of the SUV scale sits niche Dutch manufacturer Spyker's D12 Super SUV. Powered by a W12 engine the Spyker retains the marque's trademark sportscar lines but sits on seriously puffed suspension. Staying in a luxury vein, Rolls Royce has again produced an "experimental" car in the 101EX. The car has been hand-built to "explore a potential design direction for a future coupe model".The 101EX uses the same lightweight aluminium construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm.Ferrari has unveiled its replacement for the 575M Maranello in the shape of the 599GTB. The Modena maestros have not spared the horses in the sleek-bodied 599 using the 485kW 6.0-litre V12 derived from the Enzo supercar powerplant and already in use in the 612. With its lightweight aluminium chassis and body, the 599 GTB promises to be an absolute rocket. It will be on sale in Europe about the middle of the year.GM has shown it hasn't given up on the idea of a successful soft-top model with the unveiling of the Opel GT. There is no indication of how far through the GM family the GT will spread but indications are that it will remain left-hand drive only.Mazda has revealed its Mazda3 MPS, following the success of its Mazda6 MPS and continuing on its promise to have a performance car in every model.Unlike its larger sibling, the 3MPS will not get an all-wheel drive platform, and will stay front-wheel drive. That should make the promised 186kW output an interesting test for Mazda's suspension engineers.It hasn't taken long for Alfa Romeo to follow up its Brera sedan with an even more delicious spider version of the car.The Brera Spider will be in production before the middle of the year.