- New 2.0-litre common-rail turbo diesel with 360 Nm of torque and 143 PS
- Low NVH levels for enhanced driving comfort
- Larger stabilizers and brakes; dynamic stability control standard
This top-grade Mazda engine is meant to appeal to Europeans looking for sporty driving enjoyment with low fuel consumption . And it will make Mazda3 even more popular. Through December 2006, Mazda has sold almost 275,000 Mazda3s in Europe, making it Mazda Motor Europes best- selling car. But Mazda3 popularity is a global phenomenon as well, and production of the compact reached the 1 million- unit mark at the beginning of September 2006, making it the fastest Mazda ever to achieve this milestone.
Powertrain New Sporty and Frugal Common-rail Turbo Diesel
The MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesel is a great addition to the Mazda3 line up. Its output of 105 kW/ 143 PS at 3,500 rpm is plenty of power for a compact car, and its high torque of 360 Nm (amongst the very top offers in the category , and approaching the MPS ?agship) at just 2,000 rpm gives the already agile-handling Mazda3 a truly sporty nature.
The engines variable-geometry turbocharger provides high maximum output and torque across a wide range of engine speeds. In fact, most of the engines high torque is available as low as 1,500 rpm, ensuring quick and powerful engine response to accelerator pedal input, which makes Mazda3 2.0 MZR-CD a fun car to drive. Strong, linear acceleration and smooth engine operation is delivered by its high-pressure common-rail technology . The new models drive shafts are strengthened speci?cally to handle the new engines high torque output.
Sporty and re?ned, it also uses just 6.0 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined) for both sedan and hatchback. It realizes this via six-hole injectors, for optimal fuel atomization; by electronically controlling injection volume, frequency and timing (up to 1800 bar , up to 6 injections per cycle ), and by employing a low compression ratio of 16.7 : 1. The result is a sporty driving experience and comfortable motorway cruising, without high fuel costs.
The engine also comes standard with Mazdas maintenance- free, diesel particulate ?lter system that lowers particulate matter emissions to almost nothing and ensures Euro Stage IV compliance and low operating costs. The engine is coupled to a precise and smooth-shifting, six-speed manual transmission based on the one found in the high- performance Mazda3 MPS . An especially good match to the MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesels power and high torque, this gearbox contributes much to the sporty nature of this engine.
Exterior & Interior Low Cabin Noise and Enhanced Driving Comfort
Discreet design changes were introduced with the Mazda3 facelift in 2006 that enhanced even further the cars already high emotional appeal, while adding a host of convenience features like the advanced keyless entry and start system , a 20 gigabyte hard-disc drive (HDD) audio system (according to market) and a seven-speaker Bose sound system . In developing the new Mazda3 MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesel, Mazda engineers focussed on cabin and drive comfort, keeping engine noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) as low as possible. This ensured that the top-end Mazda3 turbo diesel delivers undiluted sporty fun without any inconvenience in the cabin.
Mazda3 2.0 MZR-CD employs high pressure common-rail injection technology, which is smooth running and re?ned, coupled with NVH enhancements introduced with the Mazda3 facelift like low roll-noise tyres and extensive sound insulation . For added comfort, an auxiliary water heater system with a larger heater core is introduced and cruise control is also available that makes motorway driving in sixth gear over long distances practical and comfortable.
Chassis and Safety Enhanced Body Stiffness and Suspension
To translate the MZR-CD 2.0 turbo diesels high torque into controllable and reliable traction, engineers installed special body shell reinforcements from the high-performance Mazda3 MPS the front suspension upper plate, front cowl member and larger middle tunnel cross member. Mazda3 facelifts MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension are enhanced for this engine with larger stabilizers , and coil spring rates and dampers optimized to deliver agile Zoom-Zoom handling that is a good compromise between sporty and comfortable. Taken together, these chassis features provide superior road hold and even more linear steering response from the cars hydraulic power assist steering system , making a Mazda3 with the new 143 PS turbo diesel an exhilarating experience on the road.
Active safety is also specially enhanced for the Mazda3 2.0 MZR-CD to ensure reliable deceleration in all situations. Larger discs are onboard ( 300 mm ventilated discs in front, 280 mm solid discs at the back) and form the basis for ABS, dynamic stability control (DSC) and traction control (TCS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist, all standard . Active safety options include automatic light and rain-sensing systems .
Passive safety is the same as all Mazda3 facelift models and includes seatbelt pretensioners with load-limiters for front occupants, front, side and curtain airbags , and a seatbelt reminder system for all passengers. New safety padding on the steering column is combined with a new steering wheel adjustment lever, designed to further decrease the risk of injury to the drivers knees in case of frontal collision.
Mazda3 2.0 MZR-CD At a Glance
Powertrain
- Sporty MZR-CD 2.0 common-rail turbo-diesel engine with maximum power of 105 kW/143 PS at 3,500 rpm, maximum torque of 360 Nm at 2,000 rpm
- Maximum speed of 205 km/h (sedan) and 203 km/h (hatchback)
- Euro Stage IV compliant with maintenance-free diesel particulate ?lter system
- Low fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres per 100 km (combined)
- 6-speed manual transmission based on high-performance ?agship Mazda3 MPS
- Stronger drive shafts to match higher torque
- Newly-designed exhaust system
- Available fuel warmer for the fuel ?lter (depending on market)
- Auxiliary water heater system with larger heater core (32 mm vs. 20 mm) standard (depending on market)
- Enhanced driving comfort with available cruise control
- Front suspension upper plate, front cowl member and larger middle tunnel cross member reinforcements from the high-performance Mazda3 MPS, for a stiffer body shell
- Front and rear coil spring rates and dampers specially ?ne-tuned
- Larger stabilizers (+ 2 mm): 23 / 22 mm (front /rear)
- Larger brakes 300 mm / 280 mm (front / rear) with ABS, DSC, TCS, EBD and emergency brake assist standard
- Hydraulic power assisted steering for more sporty driving fun