Mazda3 MZR-CD 2007 Review - International

Mazda is set to add a second diesel powered passenger car to its lineup when the Mazda3 MZR-CD goes on sale in Australia on September 1.

The small hatch and sedan will be sold in the same spec as the mid range Maxx Sport and will be priced from about $30,500 for both models. representing a $3000 premium over the DSC stability control-equipped 2.0-litre petrol Maxx Sport Mazda3.

The new diesel variant was launched in Europe at the Geneva motor show in March and uses the same 105kW/360Nm 2.0-litre common rail turbo diesel four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that is used in the bigger Mazda6 (more here).

Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson says the decision to add the Mazda3 diesel to the lineup has been spurred in part by the success of the Mazda6 Diesel that has been selling above expectations -- accounting for about 80 units a month or about 8 per cent of total Mazda6 sales.

He says Mazda expects to sell about 100 Mazda3 diesels a month although this figure could be substantially more with an automatic transmission available.

However, he says until the European markets demand an automatic it is unlikely that one will become available for Australia, so in the short term at least, the Mazda diesels are set to remain manual only.

Apart from the addition of standard DSC stability control, the spec level of the diesel Mazda3 is identical to the Maxx Sport petrol model.

Outside, that translates into 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, side skirts and a rear spoiler while inside, the diesel 3 gets air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, and a six-stack CD audio system.

Safety kit includes the aforementioned DSC, ABS with Brake Assist and six airbags.

Mechanically, the car shares its basic structure with all Mazda3 models (more here), although to cope with the vastly increased torque -- at 360Nm, almost double the 2.0-litre petrol's maximum of 182Nm and only 20Nm shy of the output of the turbo petrol 2.3-litre Mazda3 MPS -- the body has been stiffened, sharing a number of structural reinforcements with the MPS.

Compared to the atmo Mazda3s it also has retuned springs and dampers and bigger stabiliser bars and brakes.

Inside, the car offers the same quality, packaging and style as its petrol counterparts so the biggest difference is in the drive. To experience that, Carsales Network went to Europe for a short preview blast through the hills south of Vienna in Austria.

Turning the key, the first thing you notice is how quiet the engine is when you are cocooned inside the car.

Outside, there is a discernible diesel tick -- clearly audible but hardly loud -- but the effectiveness of the work that Mazda did on the whole range with the upgrade late last year is such that the only indication you get of the car's diesel engine is the reduced spread of numbers on the tacho.

The only noise that was in evidence was a bit of tyre roar over coarser surfaces.

Moderate force on the accelerator produces a strong and smooth surge forward with little evidence of any turbo lag and a very linear delivery of power. The engine is happy to rev through to over 4000rpm -- max power is reached at 3500rpm -- without any fuss before requiring a shift up in gears.

It does feel strongest between about 2000rpm and 3500rpm but the power zone is not as clearly delineated as many diesels of this size, making it a very flexible powerplant that can be driven smoothly without any need for constant gear shifting.

Traveling at suburban speeds of 60kmh in fourth gear with the engine spinning over at just 1200rpm, it was happy to pull up to a highway speed of 110kmh without a change of gear. A shift into top had the car cruising at around 2000rpm. This low rev cruising no doubt helps the car achieve its listed combined fuel consumption figure of just 6.0 l/100km.

Not that regular use of six-speed shifter is a chore as its smooth action and well-defined gate make it very easy and effortless to use when you do want to push the car for a more enthusiastic drive.

And as with the rest of the range, the Mazda3 MZR-CD responds well to a bit of a push.

Despite carrying a weight penalty of around 100kg over its petrol counterpart, the diesel 3 is still a sporty car to drive with a vast amount of mid range grunt. Pushing on through corners body movement is minimal and well controlled with the car feeling very solid on the road, delivering a secure and confidence inspiring drive.

Without driving it back to back against the petrol car, it was difficult to feel any negative impact of the extra weight over the front end and if anything the car felt even more planted with little tendency to push wide.

Although well weighted and reasonably direct, the steering still however, feels a little lifeless.

At the same time as offering sporty handling, the Mazda3 diesel also delivers a very cosseting and comfortable ride quality. Over some patchwork country roads, there was more that enough suppleness in the suspension to soak up the joints in the tarmac and although firm, it doesn't feel hard.

Our drive was relatively brief and European roads tend to have far smoother surfaces that those in Australia but as far as the drivetrain and its compatibility with the Mazda3 hatch is concerned, on first impressions, Mazda would seem to have a winner on its hands.

And $3000 is not a huge premium for a fuel frugal small hatch that is as at home lazily tootling about the suburbs as it is driving enthusiastically – and fairly rapidly – along a winding country road.

 » Get the best price on a new Mazda3

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