Addition of new smaller engine broadens appeal of the excellent Mazda3

By Gerry Murphy

Having been a fan of most Mazda cars for many years, especially their current range, it was with boyish anticipation and genuine relish that I took to the wheel of the new Mazda3 with their new 1.5-litre diesel engine.

The Mazda3 was initially launched with a 1.5 SKYACTIV petrol engine or a 2.2 SKYACTIV diesel engine. To cater to the growing demand and determined to expand the product range, Mazda introduced a 1.5 diesel engine to suit more buyers and attract addition sales.

It may not quite have the muscle of the 2.2-litre – that is still available in the line-up – Mazda believes that this is a response to customers anxiety and removes the fears associated with the bigger engine.

With only 99g/km of CO2 emissions, Mazda3 customers will be attracted by the lower road tax of €180 per annum with the emissions falling into tax band A2. Thanks to the SKYACTIV technology, Mazda have been claiming an impressive 3.8 litres/100km while in a week long test run I achieved 5.0L/100km over an extended run of over 1,000 kilometres.

It delivers 105ps of power and has been available in both the CX-3 and Mazda2 for some time now and has proved to be the key choice for drivers in the CX-3.

The addition of the Mazda3 range now gives customers even more choice and savings in fuel and tax costs without compromising its renowned performance and the quality of the drive. Even in this form, it is a really honest car in term of road-holding, sharp handling and accurate steering. Always at one with the wonderful chassis and the feedback from every moving part nothing dims the confidence and the craic that you get from behind the wheel.

As a direct comparison with the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus, often considered to be the best in the bracket for driving excitement, the Mazda3 is right at the top of the tree while adding a number of additions that should entice even the most discerning driver.

It is also, in my view, a better looking car than anything in its class with a striking exterior shell from every angle.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.