Mazda Axela

Mazda 3
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Also called	Mazda Axela (Japan and China)
Production	2003–present
Assembly	Hofu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia Tehran, Iran Taoyuan, Taiwan
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car (C)
Body style	5-door hatchback 4-door fastback sedan/saloon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive Front-engine, all-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Mazda Familia/323/Protegé

First generation
Overview
Production	June 2003—January 2009 2006–2013 (China) 2005–2010 Tehran, Iran 2003–2014 (Colombia)
Model years	2004–2009
Assembly	Hofu, Japan Nanjing, China Taiwan, Republic of China Bogotá, Colombia Pretoria, South Africa Willowvale, Zimbabwe (WMMI) Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines
Designer	Hasip Girgin (2001)
Body and chassis
Platform	Mazda BK platform
Related	Mazda Premacy/Mazda5, Ford Focus, Volvo C30, Volvo S40/Volvo V50
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L MZR I4 1.5 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.3 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZ-CD I4 2.0 L MZR-CD I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,639 mm (104 in)
Length	2004–06 i Sedan: 4,529 mm (178 in) 2004–06 s Sedan: 4,540 mm (179 in) 2004–06 Hatchback: 4,485 mm (177 in) 2007–09 i Sedan: 4,506 mm (177 in) 2007–09 s Sedan: 4,511 mm (178 in) 2007–09 Hatchback: 4,591 mm (181 in)
Width	1,750 mm (69 in)
Height	1,500 mm (59 in)
Curb weight	1,253 kg (2,762 lb)

Second generation
Mazda3 S Grand Touring (USA)
Overview
Production	November 2008—June 2013
Model years	2009–2013
Assembly	Hofu, Japan Rayong, Thailand (AAT) (February 2011 onwards) Kulim, Malaysia Tehran, Iran Bogotá, Colombia Pretoria, South Africa Taoyuan, Taiwan
Designer	Kunihiko Kurisu (2006)
Body and chassis
Platform	Mazda BL platform
Related	Mazda Premacy/Mazda5 Ford Focus Volvo C30 Volvo S40/Volvo V50
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L I4 petrol 1.6 L I4 diesel 2.0 L I4 petrol 2.0 L I4 diesel 2.2 L I4 diesel 2.5 L I4 petrol 2.3 L I-4 petrol
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Length	4,595 mm (180.9 in) (Sedan) 4,505 mm (177.4 in) (Hatchback)
Width	1,755 mm (69.1 in)
Height	1,470 mm (57.9 in)
Curb weight	1,295 kg (2,855.0 lb)

Third generation
Overview
Production	June 2013–present
Model years	2014–present
Assembly	Salamanca, Mexico Hōfu, Yamaguchi, Japan Rayong Province, Thailand
Designer	Koichi Tabata (2011)
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L SkyActiv-G I4 petrol 2.0 L SkyActiv-G I4 petrol 2.5 L SkyActiv-G I4 petrol 1.5 L SkyActiv-D I4 turbo diesel 2.2 L SkyActiv-D I4 turbo diesel
Transmission	6-speed SkyActiv-MT Manual 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive Automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4,460 mm (175.6 in) (Hatchback) 4,580 mm (180.3 in) (Sedan)
Width	1,795 mm (70.7 in)
Height	1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Curb weight	1,300–1,315 kg (2,866–2,899 lb)

The Mazda3 or Mazda 3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan, a combination of "accelerate" and "excellent") is a compact car manufactured in Japan by Mazda. It was introduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, replacing the Familia/323/Protegé. A performance-oriented version of the Mazda3 is marketed as the Mazdaspeed3 in North America, Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan and the Mazda3 MPS in Europe.

A second generation Mazda3 for the 2009 model year was unveiled in late 2008, with the sedan premièring at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the hatchback at the Bologna Auto Show. For the 2012 model year, Mazda began offering the Mazda3 with their newly developed SkyActiv technology, including a more rigid body, a new direct injection engine, and a new 6-speed transmission.

The current third generation was introduced in mid-2013 as a 2014 model.

The BK series Mazda3 was launched in Japan in October 2003 as the Axela. The model has been generally well received by the automotive press for its performance, handling, styling and interior, with some describing it as feeling like a more expensive sports sedan/saloon despite its value-oriented price. Some criticisms have included fuel economy and crash test results (only receiving four out of a maximum five stars from the EURO NCAP Safety Testing Programme) the latter of which was rectified by making six airbags standard. In 2006 the Mazda3 was the second best-selling car in Canada and the best selling car in Israel during 2005–2007.

The Mazda3 is based on the Ford global C1 platform, shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Previewed by the MX-Sportif concept car, the Mazda3 is available in two body styles, a four-door fastback sedan/saloon, marketed as a "4-door coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door hatchback, branded the Sport version in Canada, Japan, and the United States. Design work began under chief designer Hideki Suzuki in 1999 at three Mazda design centres in California, America; Frankfurt, Germany; and Hiroshima, Japan. By 2001, Hasip Girgin's design was chosen as a finalist. Girgin was sent to work in Hiroshima for 6 months, after which the final design was frozen for scheduled 2003 production.