Mazda 3 2014 News

After besting the Holden Commodore, Toyota Corolla and Toyota HiLux to become No.1 in showrooms, the Mazda3 faces the Albert Park race test. It's a certain winner as the field for the Celebrity Race at the AGP is entirely comprised of all-new Mazda3s.They've had only minimal safety tweaking, and each is competing with a driver-friendly automatic gearbox, which means the race will come down to skill and daring.And the ability to keep the car alive in an environment where it's too easy to go crazy or kill the brakes and tyres by overdriving in the wide open spaces of Albert Park. "If I cannot win I'm going to take out as many people as possible. But don't tell anyone," Charlie Boorman, a long-distance motorcyclist and great mate of actor Ewan McGregor, jokes to Carsguide."I always tell people to get onto a racetrack to learn what it's like to be able to do something properly. I truly believe that what you learn in one day on a track will stay with you for your whole life." Last year's Celebrity Race was loaded with car-crashing craziness, so chief trainer and five-time Australian touring car champion Mark Skaife is working to ensure all 20 cars come through without damage."We have to make sure they apply themselves safely and enjoy the experience," says Skaife. "On the face of it, the Celebrity Challenge is fun. The people are normally full of character and ability and application, whether they are in the arts or sport or whatever."But, just as that is a good aspect, it can actually be one of the traps. Some of those great character traits can also cause a few problems. Some people, in the end, feel so comfortable that they think they're a bit bulletproof."This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

Driving a convertible in Siberia in sub-zero temperatures -- with the top down -- may not be everyone's idea of fun. But that's where Mazda decided to host a test drive to remind us that the MX-5 is still the world's most popular roadster, with almost 1 million sold.An all-new Mazda MX-5 -- to be jointly developed with Alfa Romeo -- is still at least two years away, so in the meantime Mazda is keen for the world to know the current model is still young at heart even though it is getting on a bit in car terms. Which is why we are standing on an ice lake near Yekaterinburg, about 400km north of the Kazakhstan border.Mazda invited two dozen motoring writers from nine countries to defend their nation's honour by having a hack at an ice lake instead of a keyboard. This is the fifth such event in as many years and the stakes are high -- in the minds of those behind the wheel.Day one and the boys are in a huddle discussing strategy in military detail. Who's going to do what, and what the others are likely to do at every point in the race. It would have been a little easier to take seriously if we weren't still in Mascot. The plane hasn't even pushed back yet. Competitive? Much?Day two and we've ducked into Moscow between flights (the domestic and international terminals are at opposite sides of the city) standing in a big red square with lots of walls, statues and a building called the Kremlin.Surrounded by this almost magical yet historical place, the emotion is overwhelming: word has come through that those Cheating Rusky Bastards have practiced driving on snow. "What, you mean apart from their entire driving lives," I offer. The group goes silent, the guide says something about the old buildings with the shiny bulbs on top.But we're still in a huddle as if it's half time in a State of Origin that NSW has a chance to win. History can wait. We were about to make our own, apparently, it was only a matter of choosing the theme tune: "Eye of the Tiger" or "Simply the Best"?Day three we finally get to inspect the pitch. WTF? They've included Mazda3 hatchbacks in the event for the first time, as well as the MX-5s.The thought of driving a car that people actually buy (the Mazda3 was Australia's top-selling car for two of the past three years and finished second last year) in order to qualify for the MX-5 race horrifies some of the group.One of our team starts sledging one of the Poms and says something about cricket. I don't watch cricket but the last significant Australia-versus-England sporting moment I can remember involved a football, a man called Jonny Wilkinson, and his left foot.After the first practice session it became apparent that the three Russian teams have professional race drivers masquerading as motoring writers (as opposed to us motoring writers masquerading as race drivers).At this point, to confirm everyone's bonafides, I quietly suggest that the organisers force all competitors to write a road test, to see who can torture the most cliches like they're running out of fashion.Alas, my heart sank when I saw our Russian rivals doing work on their laptop computers between practice sessions. They were hacks just like us, dammit.After qualifying third out of nine cars our only hope for a victory was to do a Bradbury: drive at eight-tenths and hope they stick it into a snow bank.After some daring first lap driving from the first of our four drivers, and an ability to make the MX-5 much wider than it really is for several laps thereafter, we had somehow found ourselves in the lead.After a friendly nudge from one of the gun Russian drivers we slipped to second, but managed to regain first place after a slick pit-stop. Soon after, we learned to be careful what you wish for, because a Mazda did indeed end up in a snow bank. But it was ours.Truth be known, it was a miracle it didn't happen to all of us on every single corner. The ice was so slippery we could barely stand on it without breaking a hip, two wrists and a collar bone. After our car was plucked from the snow by a tractor we made another pit-stop and got going again.It was then my turn to add to our team's misery. The safety car came out in front of me even though we were not in the lead (in fact, we were in the opposite of the lead).So although it is protocol for safety cars to drive slowly in front of the lead car and let the rest of the field pass, we got to trundle around behind a Mazda CX-5 with flashing lights to avoid a collision we never got to see -- and lost so much time we may as well have been in a different zone.So I was delighted when it was time to hand the car over to a colleague for the final fling. The only thing that could possibly brighten our day is if we could beat the other Australian car being shared by two journos and two Mazda executives.After some daring driving from our man on a mission and some gentlemanly driving from the Mazda suit behind the wheel of the other MX-5, we ended up in front of the Other Aussie Team despite our significant setbacks.By the end of the two-hour race, the Russians deservedly scored a one-two-three clean-sweep, something the organisers may have suspected for they pre-ordered trophies for fourth, fifth and sixth positions under the guise of a "Nation's Cup".Although we ranked fifth -- or second, depending on how you measure it -- finishing in the middle the field never felt so good. If only the sweet taste of our 'victory' didn't taste like yellow snow. Russian champagne really is an acquired taste. Especially when it's in your eyes.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

Surviving examples of the classic Leyland Moke may be worth serious money these days, but a new Australian firm is offering a brand new recreation of the model without the perils associated with 1960s British engineering.Moke Motors Australia has teamed up with Chinese manufacturer Chery to build an all-new but visually reminiscent version of the military-inspired but much adored original Leyland Moke.The new version pairs classic utilitarian ragtop styling with modern Chery mechanicals, and is slightly longer and slightly wider than the original to better accommodate four adults.These mechanicals include a 50kW/93Nm fuel-injected 993cc four-cylinder petrol engine and a five-speed manual or optional automatic sourced from the Chinese-market Chery QQ3 city car.The front-drive layout uses MacPherson strut suspension up front and solid-axle trailing arms at the rear, along with power steering and disk brakes up front.An electric eMoke version is also planned, with a top speed of 60km/h, range of 120km, and the ability to be recharge overnight.There are no airbags, ABS or stability control, so you may be wondering how a modern Moke would pass 2014 safety regulations? It doesn’t, but bypasses most ADRs through limited volume compliance – only 100 examples of each version can be registered per year.The modern Moke is able to be fully-registered for use on Australian roads and carries a two year/50,000km driveline warranty and five year corrosion guarantee. The man behind Moke Motors is Jim Markos, operator of Melbourne prestige used car dealership Black Rock Motors, and a 27 year veteran of the automotive industry.Markos claims that the arrangement between Moke Motors and Chery is the first time that a mainstream car manufacturer has produced vehicles under contract from a private company, and is the result of a seven year development program.He also plans to sell the new Moke in the Caribbean, Thailand and Mauritius, and has received interest from Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. Moke Motors is yet to appoint service agents for the new models, but discussions are underway to use the local Chery service network.Production is set to commence at the start of May, but the entire 2014 production run has already been presold. The first examples are set to be delivered in June and Moke Motors is taking orders for 2015.Pricing starts at a Mazda 3 Maxx-matching $22,990 before on-roads, but we reckon more than a few will be cruising the beach esplanades next summer.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Mazda released a teaser sketch of its Hazumi concept a few days ago as a lead-up to the car's unveiling in Geneva next week, but we're now getting an earlier look with a full image of the car leaking online.The design sketch shows the dynamic Hazumi styling, with prominent shield-shaped grille lines integrating into the LED daytime running lights of the headlight cluster, front lip and rear tailgate spoilers, sculpted side skirts, black roof and subtly swelling wheel arches stuffed with what look to be exaggeratedly oversized alloys.If even half of those features make it onto the production version, the Mazda 2 will be one of the sharpest-looking city cars around, and fulfilling the Hazumi translation of 'bounding up' - helped in the concept by the sharply rising beltline that gives it the lively appearance of leaping forward.  Hazumi is the latest development of Mazda's Kodo design, already used for the Mazda6, CX-5 and new Mazda3.There are no further details on the car's features or drivetrain, however Mazda has already confirmed Geneva will also see them unveil a new diesel a 1.5-litre featuring the latest development of their fuel-efficient Skyactiv technology, which could power a version of the 2 in some markets.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

THE price tags at Nick Theodossi's North Melbourne prestige car showroom would plunge dramatically if calls for the scrapping of the 5 per cent tariff on imported cars and the luxury car tax are taken up by the government.As Joe Hockey yesterday confirmed the government would consider dropping the imposts after the departures of Ford, Toyota and Holden left no carmaking industry to protect, car buyers were contemplating savings of more than $10,000 on a $93,000 BMW 335i sedan, and significantly higher price cuts on six-figure vehicles.Dealers like Mr Theodossi, who have long opposed the protection given to the local car manufacturing industry, were cautiously welcoming the possibility that high-end brands such as BMW, Audi and Land Rover might soon be within reach of mainstream buyers. Mr Theodossi, 62, said he was yet to be convinced the government would follow the recommendation of leading economists and scrap the luxury car tax, but it would be a massive boost for the industry -- and consumers -- if it happened."I can't see the government scrapping it, but it would be fantastic if they did," he said. "Everybody could buy a Mercedes." After the Australian Automotive Association this week called for the scrapping of the tariffs on imported cars in the wake of the demise of the Australian car manufacturing industry, the Treasurer said yesterday the idea would be considered."The car industry is not going until 2017, but this is something that will certainly be considered by our review of taxation, which will occur in the next 18 months or so, and certainly before the next election," Mr Hockey said. The import tariff raises about $900m a year, and the luxury car tax about $400m a year.While the removal of the 5 per cent tariff on imported passenger cars could cut several hundred dollars or more off the cost of a mid-range car such as a Mazda 3, expensive cars that attracted the tariff and the luxury car tax could fall by thousands of dollars. Mr Theodossi said he thought consumers rather than dealers would be the main winners if the tax was abolished.His most expensive car in stock is a 2013 Bentley Continental Coupe, which although he can sell it for less, retails for $500,000 excluding GST. With fuel consumption of 9.9L/100km, it does not meet the government's fuel efficiency threshold of 7L/100km, and is taxed at a rate of 33 per cent on the portion of the price of the car above $60,316, making the luxury car tax (LCT) component of the price $145,095. The scrapping of the LCT would therefore reduce the price of the Bentley from $500,000, to $354,904. Trade Prestige Cars dealer Stephen Curtain said he believed the case for abolishing the imported and luxury car taxes was compelling."If they're charging the tax to try to protect Australian car manufacturers and there are now no Australian car manufacturers, it makes no sense to keep it." Mr Curtain predominantly deals in used luxury cars, but said he expected sales of new high-end cars to increase significantly if the tax was scrapped. "No doubt if someone knocks $8000 or $10,000 off the price of a car, that will drive up sales of luxury cars."Ateco Automotive executive chairman Neville Crichton, whose Sydney-based group owns dealerships that sell vehicles ranging from the Chinese-made Chery to Italy's Maserati, said he had no doubt that tariffs and the luxury car tax should be scrapped."The luxury car tax was put in place to protect the local producers with the (Holden) Statesman -- they don't make those cars any more," Mr Crichton said. "It's become a revenue situation rather than a protectionist tariff. I think the luxury tax is extremely unfair."He said car prices would plunge if they were scrapped. "Right now, if you look at a $600,000 Ferrari, close to 30 per cent of that is going to the luxury car tax. It doesn't take Einstein to work out that suddenly that $600,000 car becomes a $400,000 car," he said."It'll open the market up considerably." But he said BMW and Audi would be the big winners. "The brands that would certainly benefit would be Land Rover, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Maserati. There's still only a limited amount of people who would want to own a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. It would bring a lot of the BMW and Audi range into a normal car bracket again."ADDITIONAL REPORTING: SID MAHER, DARREN DAVIDSON, MARK SCHLIEBS 

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

There might not be a performance-focused MPS on the horizon for the new Mazda 3, but Australia is getting its own sports pack with the Kuroi kit.

Six months after its world-first unveiling in Australia, Mazda’s new third-generation 3 small car range arrives in showrooms this week, with the aim to reclaim its status as Australia’s best-selling car from the Toyota Corolla.Joining the CX-5 SUV and mid-size 6 sedan and wagon, the new 3 hatch and sedan boast contemporary-Mazda 'Kodo' styling, and Skyactiv efficiency technology is now applied across the range. Making their debut on a Mazda is a new heads-up display and the new MZD smartphone integration system on most models. MZD includes embedded apps such as Stitcher, Aha and Pandora to rival Holden’s MyLink and Ford’s Sync systems, and can read aloud text messages, emails, plus Facebook and Twitter updates. PRICING AND RANGEPricing before on-roads increases by just $160 for the base $20,490 Neo model, and the hatch and sedan continue with equal pricing for either body style. The previous Maxx Sport, diesel MZR-CD, SP20, and the hot MPS models have made way for Maxx and Touring, and the bigger-engined SP25 adds GT and Astina trim levels to top off the range. Fans of the Mazda brand may recall the Astina name from previous Mazda 323 models, where it was last used to signify five-door versions before the first 3 arrived in 2003. The 2014 Mazda 3 lineup will be petrol-only for now, with the previous SP20 model’s 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G now sporting 114kW/200Nm and exclusive to Neo, Maxx and Touring grades, and the 138kW/250Nm 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G from the CX-5 and 6 limited to the SP25 models. Both petrol engines are available in six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions across all variants, with automatic models commanding a $2000 premium.ECONOMYThe move to new-gen Skyactiv engines and transmissions, plus the standard 'i-stop' stop/start system has seen official fuel consumption figures drop by as much as 30 per cent over equivalent outgoing models. Automatic 2.0-litre sedan models are rated at 5.7L/100km combined, and just 6.0L/100km for the 2.5-litre auto sedans. Manual sedan models use 5.8L/100km with the 2.0-litre engine, and 6.5-litres with the 2.5. The slightly less aerodynamic hatch uses 0.1L/100km more across all models aside from 2.5-litre manuals, and all figures are achieved using Regular 91RON unleaded.FEATURESMazda expects the base 2.0-litre Neo to account for around half of Mazda 3's overall sales, and will come equipped with power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio and keyless ignition. Owners of the previous 3 Neo may however be disappointed to hear that the new model reverts to 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers compared with the previous Neo’s 15-inch alloys.Maxx models add a leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake, paddle shifters for automatics, the 7-inch MZD system with satnav, six-speaker audio, a reversing camera, and 16 inch alloys. Touring models gain leather trim, dual-zone climate control, an overhead console, and auto headlamps and wipers.The SP25 steps up to its namesake 2.5-litre engine, plus proximity keys, a rear spoiler for sedan versions, front fog lamps, 18-inch alloys, but lacks the Touring’s leather trim and overhead console. The SP25 GT regains leather trim and an overhead console, and can be identified by its LED daytime running lamps and taillights, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, plus the heads up display, heated external mirrors, auto-dimming interior mirror, power driver’s seat, and nine-speaker Bose audio.The top SP25 Astina models gain a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision, lane departure and rear cross-traffic warnings, Smart Brake Support and Smart City Brake Support. All models benefit from a marginal reduction in weight thanks to greater use of high-strength steel, and torsional strength has increased by 30 per cent for hatch models, and 28 per cent for sedans.Overall length is unchanged from the previous 3 at 4460mm for the hatch and 4580mm for sedan, while both models are 15mm lower at 1455mm, 40mm wider at 1795mm, and their shared wheelbase has grown by 60mm to 2700mm. Cargo capacity has reduced marginally for both body styles, with the hatch dropping from 340-308L VDA, and the sedan from 430-408L VDA, and continue to use a spacesaver spare. All 2014 3 models carry a braked tow rating of 1200kg.The new 3 also introduces Mazda’s Service Select variable schedule and capped pricing plan, and comes with six airbags, ABS, stability and traction control and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating – but is yet to be rated locally by ANCAP. Added safety features under Mazda’s i-Activsense banner are available as a package on all bar the top Astinas (which already come so-equipped), which includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support.2014 Mazda 3 hatch and sedan pricingMazda3 Neo 2.0 litre petrol manual - $20,490 (up $160)Mazda3 Neo 2.0 litre petrol auto - $22,490 (up $160)Mazda3 Maxx 2.0 litre petrol manual - $22,990Mazda3 Maxx 2.0 litre petrol auto - $24,990Mazda3 Touring 2.0 litre petrol manual - $25,490Mazda3 Touring 2.0 litre petrol auto - $27,490Mazda3 SP25 2.5 litre petrol manual - $25,890Mazda3 SP25 2.5 litre petrol auto - $27,890Mazda3 SP25 GT 2.5 litre petrol manual - $30,590Mazda3 SP25 GT 2.5 litre petrol auto - $32,590Mazda3 SP25 Astina 2.5 litre petrol manual - $36,190Mazda3 SP25 Astina 2.5 litre petrol auto - $38,190 

Mazda has joined the car manufacturers offering capped price servicing -- but with a twist that raises the bar for the industry. Unlike other brands, where the capped servicing is available for only a set number of years (usually three or five), Mazda's Service Select will cap the price for the entire life of the carThe lifetime servicing will roll out first on the coming Mazda3 in February, and then to other models by mid-year, applying to both new and current model used cars.There have also been changes to the service schedule, with cars now needing to be services only every 10,000km or 12 months, rather than the current 10,000km/six months.In addition, Mazda will publish the full list of service prices for all models on its website and through dealerships, so all buyers -- and prospective buyers -- are aware of the ongoing costs.Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders said the lifetime servicing and schedule changes recognised that vehicle owners had vastly varying driving habits, many of which were reflected by a shrinking number of kilometres travelled per year.“Mazda is committed to ensuring customers have a safe and enjoyable driving experience irrespective of what distance they travel and Mazda Service Select matches a service program to individual owners based on their driving habits rather than the ‘one size fits all’ approach adopted by some other brands," he said.”Mazda Service Select means our customers are not locked into a schedule that may not reflect their driving habits. Over time the average number of kilometres travelled by our customers has dropped from 15,000km five years ago to 13,000km today. That means a typical Mazda customer will only have to service their car every nine months or so, meaning just four rather than six trips to their dealer over three years.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The top-two sellers will be driving the competition; an all-new Mazda3 is around the corner and Toyota will introduce an all-new Corolla sedan to sell alongside last year's champion.Good supply of the two all-new top-selling models means that everyone else in the small-car class -- representing almost a quarter of all new vehicles sold -- will have to sharpen their pencils or risk becoming old stock.To that end, the Mitsubishi Lancer will be in runout for most of the year, while Suzuki will also be pushing hard to clear the decks of its popular Alto city car, ahead of the new model which has grown in size.The locally-made Holden Cruze will also find the going particularly tough against the newer models; Holden has already admitted it loses money on each one it builds and can't limbo much lower on price.Volkswagen will likely maintain its promotional pricing on the Golf every other month as the German factory ramps up production, while Hyundai also has its revised i30 hatch and Elantra sedan twins to take to market."There's never been a better time to buy a new car," said Toyota Australia executive director Tony Cramb, intentionally repeating an old industry cliché.Low interest rates and improved consumer confidence have helped drive sales, he said.Several runout models -- particularly the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton utes, both of which were Top 10 finishers -- have prompted unprecedented discounts.The new-car market dipped by up to 3 per cent from August to November 2013 in the wake of the Rudd Government's proposed changes to Fringe Benefits Tax rules on company cars, but the industry expects a full recovery in 2014 after December's modest rise of 1.4 per cent.The industry has forecast an increase from last year's record of 1,136,227 new-car sales, to 1,145,000 in 2014.However, Mr Cramb said new-car sales in 2013 would have been higher if not for changes to Fringe Benefits Tax rules proposed by the former Labor Government."The FBT announcement made by the former government definitely slowed down business sales … there are many companies still just making their way back to normal purchases," said Mr Cramb.He said it took the market "a lot longer than we had anticipated" to recover form the botched plan that would have quadrupled the tax on company cars."Companies have extended leases, delayed purchasing decisions, and rather than coming back once … the new Government made it clear they were going to implement previous Government's policies, there was a skepticism in the market among the big fleet companies."This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling