CArs: 3

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Patent drawings of the Mazda 3 leak to the web Reviews

The new Mazda is expected to be introduced in 2013 but it seems the car appearance was already patented since August 2010. This was discovered through these patent drawings recently made public that you can see below.

The new model will follow the new design line named KODO: Soul of Motion, with the recognizable trapezoidal grille, created for the Mazda 6.

The current model dates from 2009, so this means that after only four years we will see a completely new model with a new platform, weighing less, and new engines.

Source: TeleGraaf.NL

Patent drawings of the Mazda 3 leak to the web

Sunday, July 21, 2013

2011 Saab 9 3 sedan Reviews

The Saab 9-3 is available as a convertible, SportCombi (or wagon), sedan and a more-rugged wagon called the 9-3x. All models come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The Saab 9-3 gets a unique rear suspension called ReAxs, which features passive rear steering to quell understeer inherent to front-wheel-drive cars. Visually, the Saab 9-3 shares nothing with its cousins and its powertrain options are all turbocharged variants of GM motors that have been uniquely designed by Saab engineers.

The SportCombi wagon comes with the same 210-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as all other Saab 9-3 models in Turbo4 and Aero trim levels with front-wheel drive and as a version called the 9-3X with all-wheel drive.

All models are available with Saabs XWD (cross-wheel-drive) all-wheel-drive system. Standard equipment on all includes leather upholstery with a power driver’s seat, OnStar, an air conditioned glovebox, alloy wheels, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The convertible features the same chassis dynamics as the sedan. Leather seats are standard. In base models, a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic is available. Aero models offer a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

The Aero adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a Bose audio system, sports seats, XM Satellite radio and GMs OnStar system. A turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 is no longer offered. Front-wheel drive is standard on all three body styles, and all-wheel drive (what Saab calls XWD) is available on the sedan and Saab 9-3X SportCombi wagon.

The Turbo4s standard transmission is a six-speed manual. Both models are also available with a Haldex XWD all-wheel drive system, and when so equipped, both come with a six-speed automatic transmission. Base configurations for both the Turbo4 and Aero X are front-wheel drive.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

First Drive 2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv

Overhead shot of blue 2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv crossing a bridge

The 2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv.

Regular TireKicker readers know weve always loved us some Mazda 3. Its a fun, tossable little sedan (or hatch, you choose) for a reasonable price with better than average performance and fuel economy.

So what would juice the excitement factor? Well, more fuel economy would be a good place to start.
Mazdas been behind the 8-ball on that one, with a lot of people remembering that rotary engines arent the best in that regard (never mind that the only Mazda still using a rotary is the RX-8, now in its last year of production) and Mazda being the lone ranger among the big 4 Japanese carmakers (Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura and Nissan/Infiniti being the others) not to have hybrids in their lineup.

Rear view of the 2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv.

Not that the 3s a gas guzzler by any means. The EPA says 22 city/29 highway for the standard Mazda 3 5-door with the 167 horsepower 2.5 liter four-cylinder and a 5-speed automatic.

But Skyactiv makes it better without making it a hybrid. According to Mazda, Skyactivs engine produces 10-15% more low-range torque, and 15% lower fuel consumption than their previous 2-liter engine (which was EPA rated 24 city/33 highway).

Engineering and material changes resulted in a 220 pound weight savings along with 30% better body rigidity (which translates to better handling). Then theres a vastly improved six-speed automatic transmission. Bottom line: The EPA estimate for the Mazda 3 5-door jumps to 27 city/38 highway.

We borrowed one for a week from Chapman Mazda in Phoenix. We put fewer than 100 miles on it and most of that was city streets...very little freeway driving...and we saw 29.5 miles per gallon. So the estimates are well within the realm of possibility.

The 2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv interior.

And best of all, the Skyactiv is gimmick-free. It drives exactly like a regular 3...except a bit smoother and handling a bit more athletically. All good things. And sos the price. $19,300. Ours came absolutely stock. Zero options. We didnt feel deprived. With delivery charges, the tab came to $20,150.

Again, these are impressions gleaned from fewer than 100 miles at the wheel, but the Mazda 3 Skyactive made a strong first impression. Were expecting one from the manufacturer for a more in-depth analysis very soon.

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