Volume 11 Issue 1 » 51
2014 Mazda3 GS Sedan
Words by SIMON HILL Photos by JIM HEGAN
»
It’s hard to overstate just how important
the Mazda3 is for Mazda. This popular
compact represents some 35 percent
of the company’s global sales and over
50 percent of its sales here in Canada.
Originally introduced for the 2004
model year to replace the 323/Protegé,
the first-generation Mazda3 punched
well above its weight class thanks to its
lively performance, appealing style, crisp
handling, and a well-fitted interior with
available features that went beyond most
compact competitors.
Times change, and despite the introduction
of a second-generation version for 2010,
the Mazda3 was starting to become dated,
allowing its competitors to catch up. A
redesign was clearly due, and with so
much at stake it was critical for Mazda
to get the new Mazda3 right. Using its
recently adopted SKYACTIV engineering
approach, Mazda started off with a clean
slate. The SKYACTIV approach pays
exceptional attention to detail, eliminating
excess weight and friction throughout the
vehicle.
The redesigned third-generation Mazda3
was introduced for the 2014 model year,
and I recently had the chance to get behind
the wheel of a Deep Crystal Blue GS
sedan for an evaluation. Looking at the
specs it seems that the redesign should
indeed help the 3 keep punching above its
weight class. Mazda has both trimmed the
new car’s weight and given it more punch.
Depending on the model, the new car tips
the scales between 25 and 45 kilograms
less than the previous generation. The
SKYACTIV 2.0-litre in my test car
develops 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft
of torque (five more horsepower and 15
lb-ft more torque than the old 2.0-litre).
Because the new car, unlike the previous
generation, has room in its engine bay for
the SKYACTIV engine’s 4-2-1 exhaust,
the 2014 SKYACTIV 2.0-litre also bests
the performance of the 2013 SKYACTIV
2.0-litre thanks to a big bump of torque in
the mid-range (it has 14 lb-ft more torque
at 3,000 rpm). The SKYACTIV 2.5-litre
engine used in higher-trim GT models
develops 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft