The Mazda 3 – an L.A. smile at the show

November 28, 6:22 PMAutomotive ExaminerKyle Busch

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Well, this year’s show is finishing up and will be over this
Sunday 30 November 2008.

It has been an exciting show as 45 manufacturers participated
and have been showing off their new debuts or concept cars.

There are some interesting new releases such as the new Ford
Fusion/Fusion Hybrid, the Infinity G37 Convertible, Nissan’s
370Z and the Cube, Porsche’s new Boxster and Cayman, and
a few others.

Honda unvailed three concept vehicles, the CR-Z Hybrid, FC
Sport, and the Insight. Jeep came in with the Wrangler EV and
also what appears to be a cross between a Hot Wheels and a
Tonka truck - the Jeep Renegade. Regardless of the manufacturer
though, it seems the theme of all of the concept vehicles was
fuel economy, whether it was through alternative fuel or electric.

One vehicle in particular, really struck my interest at this show
of all of the vehicles present. Not the Bentley Azure T Convertible
or the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder but the new 2010 Mazda 3.
This car shares the same platform as the much more expensive
Volvo S40.

The sedan version of the all-new 2010 Mazda 3 is fully redesigned
for the first time in five years and it will be offered with two engine
choices. A 148 horsepower 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder available with either
a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic and a 167 horsepower 2.5
liter, 6-cylinder that is being shared with the all-new 2009 Mazda 6
that will be offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic.

Fuel economy ratings for this car are excellent. The 2.0-liter is
estimated at 25 mpg in the city for manual transmission and 24 mpg
with the automatic. Highway mileage with the 2.0-liter engine is 33
mpg with either transmission. The 2.5-liter delivers 21 mpg with the
manual gearbox, and 22 mpg with the automatic. Highway consumption
is rated at 29 mpg with either transmission.

The new Mazda 3 is a little larger than the current model and
much more aerodynamic and efficient. It is also going to offer some
high-tech features not usually found in cars at this level, including
Bluetooth connectivity, navigation system, steerable xenon headlights,
dual-zone automatic climate control, and driver’s seat memory. Mazda
has bumped the luxury way up on this great little car to give buyers a
reason to step out of larger less efficient cars and into the 3.

Why did this car strike me so much over and above all the other
cars at the L.A. show?

Take a look at the front of the Mazda 3! Have you ever seen a
happier looking car? This is the face that will come to all Mazda
cars - and for good reason! That is a smile if I ever saw one, and it
may well put a big smile on you face when you drive the Mazda 3!

Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site: www.DriveTheBestBook.com