Mazda3 x diesel2

With so many car companies offering diesel passenger cars these days, it's a wonder we're not all driving diesels right now.

Mazda has just joined the queue with the diesel version of the Mazda3, which we drove in Europe a couple of months ago (more here).

Unlike a certain other company that shall remain nameless, the Mazda is available with the diesel engine in both sedan and hatch body styles.

With 105kW of power on tap, the Mazda3 Diesel will reach 100km/h in 9.5 seconds from a standing start. The 2.0-litre common-rail engine features a self-cleaning particulate filter and complies with Euro IV emissions legislation.

Mazda reports that the Mazda3 Diesel will return a fuel consumption figure of 5.4lt/100km on the highway and a figure of 6.0lt/100km in ADR 81/01 combined cycle testing.

By Mazda's estimates, the Mazda3 Diesel, which is badged MZR-CD, should be able to squeeze a range of 1010km out of one tank on the open road.

To cope with the 360Nm of torque from the engine, the Mazda3 Diesel is fitted with the same six-speed manual transmission from the MPS model. For this application, synchromesh has been enhanced with triple-cone synchronisers for the first three gears and double-cone synchro for fourth gear.

The equipment level is based on the Mazda3 Maxx Sport -- but with DSC and traction control added -- for a price of $30,500, which applies to both sedan and hatch. As a consequence, the diesel comes with standard air, 'fast glass', cruise, a six-stacker with steering wheel controls and an auxiliary input for an iPod/MP3 player.

From a safety standpoint, the Mazda3 Diesel is fitted with the same braking system as the SP23 petrol models, so that means 300mm diameter ventilated discs up front and 280mm solid discs at the rear.

Due to the torque available from the turbodiesel engine, the Mazda3 Diesel has been the beneficiary of some reinforcing developed for the MPS model. The stronger components are the front suspension top mounting, front cowl and middle tunnel cross-member. Mazda has also beefed up the driveshafts to cope with the extra strong engine.

Along with the larger anti-roll bars, the re-calibrated spring and damper rates point to Mazda positioning the new model as a sports-oriented car that just happens to have a diesel engine -- a good move in our view.

Mazda's research indicates that prospective buyers would look seriously at a diesel-engined car for the driving experience as well as the fuel economy benefits.

The sales forecast for the Mazda3 Diesel is 130 units a month, a relatively small number, but forecasts tend to be on the conservative side. Mazda anticipates that 70 per cent of sales will be sedans.

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