Category Archives: Mazda

Mazda amplifies all-new Mazda3 and MazdaSpeed3 for 2009 SEMA show

Posted on by

MAZDASPEED3 MAZDA3

LAS VEGAS – With the launch of the all-new 2010 MAZDA3 and MAZDASPEED3, a small team of designers and engineers at Mazda R&D in Irvine, Calif., decided to celebrate with a pair of special projects, debuting for the first time at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

Both cars are painted to mimic the new MAZDA3 World Challenge race car, but in a more subdued Crystal White Pearl base coat with soft gray tone graphics. The scheme is a modern twist on the famous Renown graphics used on the Mazda 787B that won Le Mans in 1991.

The sedan was sent to Tri-Point Engineering for a boost in power. Between World Challenge races, Tri-Point installed their turbo kit, utilizing a rugged cast iron turbo manifold feeding a high-efficiency Garrett GT2871R ball bearing turbo. At a mild 10 psi of boost, the 2.5-liter MZR engine is making well over 250 horsepower at the wheels (final tuning is still being finished).

To handle this extra power, the front brakes were replaced with rotors and calipers from a MAZDASPEED3, while the rear rotors and calipers were sourced from a MAZDA5. Double-adjustable coil-overs from KW Suspension, paired with a Tri-Point adjustable rear stabilizer bar bring the handling back into harmony with the engine’s higher output.

Source: Mazda

2010 MAZDASPEED3: Taking sibling rivalry to the extreme

Posted on by

2010 MAZDASPEED3 AT A GLANCE:

mazda3


Exterior

  • Design based on the all-new MAZDA3 5-Door, evolved for a sportier, more aggressive appearance
  • New air intake to optimize intercooler efficiency
  • Front fender and front bumper designs exclusive to MAZDASPEED
  • The front grille and lower bumper sections share the same black metallic paint finish
  • Wedge-shaped, curving character lines on the side panels and side under spoiler for a lower-looking center of gravity
  • New, large floating rear spoiler
  • New 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with the same three-dimensional design theme as the Mazda RX-8 R3 wheels

Interior

  • Driver-oriented dashboard design gives a roomy, wrap-around, sporty feel
  • New tachometer with red MAZDASPEED logo
  • New LED turbo boost gauge between the driver meters
  • Semi-bucket front seats with superior fit
  • Seat upholstery in black base color with a red graphic design and red stitching
  • Black interior color with an organic red graphic design throughout the cabin and red stitching for the steering wheel, shift boot, door trim, center console

Powertrain

  • Acclaimed MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo producing high power of 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, and 280 ft.-lb. of torque at 3,000 rpm
  • In-cylinder cooling effect from direct injection realizes ca. 10 percent more torque compared to conventional-intake turbo engines
  • Top speed of 155 mph
  • The world’s first single-nanotechnology catalytic converter helps to reduce the amount of precious metals needed
  • Advanced boost pressure control suppresses sudden torque peaks for linear torque development
  • Left and right drive shafts optimized to minimize torque steer
  • Torque-sensing conical limited-slip differential (LSD) standard
  • Specially-designed, 6-speed manual transmission with wider gear ratio than before
  • Triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears and a double-cone synchronizer for fourth gear for optimized gearshift operation
  • Low-viscosity transmission fluid reduces shift effort when the engine is cold

Chassis & Safety

  • Special reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets and a large tunnel member for increased body stiffness
  • Modified coil spring rates for MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension
  • Larger diameter stabilizers with longer mount spans achieve greater roll linearity
  • Special dampers with increased damping strength contribute to higher roll stiffness
  • Now three highly rigid steering gear mount bushings instead of two used on the previous model for improved response to steering wheel action
  • New wider Dunlop 18-inch tires with improved grip, more rigid sidewalls and damping strength for more direct steering feel and a stronger one-with-the-car feel
  • Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS)
  • Large diameter 12.6-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 11-inch rear solid discs, 8+9-inch tandem brake booster and 1-inch large diameter master cylinder for powerful and stable braking
  • Newly-introduced electronic brake assist added to four-wheel ABS and DSC as standard equipment

-Source: Mazda Media