Words and photos Andy Leuterio
The ride and handling dynamics are a revelation for this class of car, and about the only shortcoming hard-core
enthusiasts will find has to do with the engines. The 1.6-liter twincam of the "S" and "V" models produce a modest
105ps while the 2.0-liter twincam of the "R" produces 140ps. These are adequate numbers, but unfortunately the car
also weighs 1,365 kilograms for the "R" and a little less for the "S" and "V".
By comparison, an Altis 1.8G weighs 1,130 and the Civic 2.0 weighs 1,230. Like always having to drive around with
two or three persons on board, the "R" pulls itself from point to point with more effort than the competition, though
the standard "Activematic" manual override of the 4-speed automatic is another sporty aid. As you would expect, the
1.6 models have to work even harder. With a few more cc's of displacement and perhaps a 5-speed manual as an option
(or another gear in the automatic), this car would run rings around the Toyota and Honda.
But this may actually not be much of an issue with potential buyers. Mazda (and, by extension, the Ford Group) isn't
selling you a better hotrod than the Lynx RS 2.0, which they will tell you is a totally different kind of animal to begin
with. They're selling you an experience, a lifestyle blending prestige, sophistication, driving fun and style for not a
lot of money. While the new 3 is no speed machine, it's hard not to immediately like a sporty car that's got as much
design moxie, engineering refinement, and sophistication at the Mazda's price point.
The Mazda3 starts at P719,000 for the 1.6-liter "S," and that already comes with all-disc brakes, dual SRS airbags,
55-series 16-inch wheels, 4-speed automatic transmission, and keyless entry. The mid-level "V" adds ABS with EBD
and Brake Assist along with racy red stitching for the seats at P780,000. The 2.0-liter R's spec sheet gives an
indication of why it weighs like it does: headlamp levelizers with auto on/off, rain-sensing wipers, foglamps, a
different bumper design, 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, electro-hydraulic power assist steering, 6-CD in-dash
stereo and power moonroof. Price? A very reasonable P915,000.
Compact cars have always tended to be conservative and all about the bottom line: value. This newest entry tells us
that buyers can drive with a lot of style as well.
