2010 Mazda3 Sedan Preview

As the garage opens and light falls on the car's dramatic face, your first reaction is exotic–and sport; and a dynamic

presence is evoked by the light continuing along the artfully sculptured sides and high aerodynamic tail. In the Mazda tradition the new 3 is equal parts driver's car and useful family hauler. The famous fact that more Mazdas are raced every weekend worldwide than any other brand, is drawn right down to the base of the marque.

Mazda3 Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda established ambitious goals for Mazda's most popular car line, "We were determined to advance the Zoom-Zoom driving experience to new heights because that unique feeling lies at the very heart of Mazda. On the heels of the original Mazda3's success, we aimed to again exceed the expectations of customers all over the world by a wide margin. This meant providing drivers with a sense of exhilaration whether they were in motion, seated in the Mazda3's cockpit, or enjoying its appearance from outside."

On what it takes to develop a true "world car," Maeda added, "The development process began with careful study and identification of what features and performance qualities

Key to the vision that leads Mazda's international team was the latest iteration of the company mantra "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom," having fun while doing good. A car that gives you a satisfying reward for having been behind the wheel for a few hours, and when its life is over a full 90-percent of it (up from 80-percent for the last generation Mazda3) will simply be made back into another one. Cool!

In the formula that created the new plan was a refinement in chassis engineering. Everything is improved by careful gauging and bonding, before welding, of recyclable metals. The resulting structure can include better-measured

crumple zones around the passengers and at the same time offer a more rigid frame for predictable suspension geometry.  Up front are modern struts in towers integrated into the unibody with structural adhesives that both stiffen and sound-deaden the area. The independent multi-link rear suspension hangs from a subframe both lighter and stiffer than its predecessor; subtle changes that make for crisper responses. We anxiously await the opportunity to prove them right. Even a modest family four-door Mazda is a disguised track star anxious for a chance to run.

All the chassis seriousness is a direct reaction to the joyful DOHC engine that delivers a responsive 148 horsepower at 6,500 rpm in MZR 2.0-liter form and 167 horsepower at 6,000 as a 2.5-liter. Both engines employ what Mazda calls advanced electronic throttle control and torque base control technology, for linear acceleration response to every change of throttle pedal pressure. So it's a kick to use. That kick is even friendlier when you see 33 highway mpg from

the 2.0-liter in either 6-speed automatic or 5-speed manual guise, and 29 highway mpg from the 2.5-liter with either gearbox. And it's a joy to live with.

Since 2003, the current Mazda3 sold nearly 1.8 million vehicles in over 100 countries. It accounts for almost one in three Mazdas sold. Little of that success was driven by its racetrack ability. What Mazda delivers is handsome, useful, reliable transportation, beautifully finished and fun to drive. That last bit is just for the cognocenti. Inside the new 3 is what can only be described as scaled-luxury appointments. Extraordinary seats for a car in this price category. No special skills are required to enjoy the elegantly clean and rational dashboard and central systems stack. An enormous amount of study went into the location and layout of the driver's workspace. Between the steering wheel and the shift lever are virtually all the civility controls. They offer little distraction from the work at hand. For the avid multi-tasker comes a Multi-information

Display at center-dash just below the windshield for navigation, trip computer, and what's up with my Bose 10-speaker Centerpoint surround-sound audio system? There is also audio-integrated hands-free Bluetooth for your phone, a dock for your iPod and Sirius satellite radio is available. Effortless utility was the goal; an ambient tranquility was the point. With that in mind, even the lighting is interactive. As occupants enter, illumination is in the footwell and door handles; slowly the instrument cluster and center stack of climate and audio controls begin to brighten; when something is touched everything lightens to function levels and the dual-zone climate systems begin to seek their presets.

If you are beginning to think this doesn't sound like an economy car, wait 'til you drive one. Remember, this is the company that gave us the Miata, perhaps the best affordable driver's car in history — and more cars racing every weekend...etc. Mazda has made itself the go-to company for fun on a budget.