Description and history of the car Mazda 3 (Axela)

Mazda 3 — a small family car of the C-class, produced by the Japanese automaker Mazda Motor from 2003 to the present. In Japan and China it is called "Mazda Axela". Replaced the previous model "Familia/323". From the start of production until 2017 inclusive, more than 1.6 million vehicles have been sold in North America.

The engine is located transversely in the front, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The body was produced as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback. The main competitors are the Citroen C4, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia ceed, Renault Fluence, Subaru Impreza, Chevrolet Cruze, LADA Vesta, Opel Astra, Mitsubishi Lancer, Peugeot 308, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra. In 2014, the Mazda 3 became Mazda Motor Company's best-selling vehicle with total sales of over 4 million units.

First generation (BK, 2003−2009)

In October 2003, the first Mazda 3 was presented in Japan under the code "BK". The car is based on the "Ford C1" platform, on which the Ford Focus and Volvo S40 are also built. Under the leadership of Mazda's chief designer Hideki Suzuki, the development of this car began in 1999. In 2001, the project was won by Hasip Girgin, who completed work on the car project in 6 months in the city of Hiroshima. The body was produced as a 4-door sedan (length: 4506-4540 mm, width: 1750 mm, height: 1500 mm) or fastback and 5-door hatchback (length: 4485-4591 mm, width: 1750 mm, height: 1500 mm). The curb weight was 1,340 kg. The car was assembled in Japan, China, Colombia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Philippines.

European versions of the cars were equipped with the following models of petrol four-cylinder engines with the code "MZR" - 1.4 liters (83 hp), 1.6 liters (103 hp), 2.0 liters (148 hp) and 2.3 liters (DISI Turbo, 256 hp). Diesel engines with injection "common-rail" there were three modifications: 1.6 liter "MZ-CD" (107 hp), 2.0 liter "MZR-CD" (141 hp) and 2.2 liter "MZR-CD" (182 hp).

Cars for the Japanese market were equipped with three petrol engines: 1.5 litres (86 hp), 2.0 litres (108 hp) and 2.3 litres (124 hp). North American models were equipped with more powerful petrol engines: 2.0 litres (148 hp) and 2.3 litres (160 hp), as well as a 2.3 litre "MZR" diesel engine (DISI Turbo, 263 hp). Gearboxes are automatic 4- and 5-speed or mechanical 5- and 6-speed.

The front suspension is MacPherson struts, with springs and an anti-roll bar. The rear suspension is a multi-link "E-Link", developed by Ford, with four levers per wheel each and an anti-roll bar, on coil springs that are installed inward from the shock absorbers to reduce the space occupied in the trunk of the car. The braking system is equipped with ABS (anti-lock braking system) and electronic brake force distribution. There are several trim levels and equipment.

In 2007, the car underwent a minor restyling with minimal external, internal and mechanical changes.

Mazda3 has six airbags in the base, seat belts with pretensioners. The front bumper is designed to minimize injury to pedestrians. The car body is designed with MAIDAS technology (system for absorbing and distributing impact energy during a collision). The 2006 model was tested by the European committee Euro NCAP, the results of which you can see in the table.

Second generation (BL, 2009−2013)

The development of the second generation under the direction of designer Kunihiko Kurisu began in 2005 and ended in 2006, and in October 2008, production started as a 2009 model. The car was assigned the code "BL" and is based on the "Ford C1" platform. The body was produced as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback. The length of the body was 4595 mm (sedan) and 4505 mm (hatchback), width 1755 mm, height 1470 mm, and the curb weight was 1260 kg. The car was assembled in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Iran, Colombia and South Africa.

The range of engines in Japanese cars includes petrol engines of the following characteristics - 1.5 liters "ZY-VE" (1498 cm³, 109 hp), 2.0 liters "LF" (1999 cm³, 148 and 141 hp) and 2.3 liters "L3-VDT" (2261 cm³, 260 hp).

European cars had the following petrol engines: 1.6 litres (1598 cm³, 104 hp), 2.0 liters (1999 cm³, 149 and 150 hp) and 2.3 liters (2261 cm³, 260 hp), as well as diesel engines - 1.6 liters (1560 cm³, 114 hp) and 2.2 liters (2184 cm³, 150 and 182 hp).

Cars in the USA were equipped with the following petrol engines: 2.0 liters (1999 cm³, 144, 150 and 155 hp), 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, 165 and 167 hp) and 2.3 liters (2261 cm³, turbo, 263 hp). The Canadian models had similar characteristics.

Australian cars were supplied with the following petrol engines: 2.0 litre (1999 cm³, 150 and 153 hp), 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, 167 hp) and 2.3 liters (2261 cm³, turbo, 255 hp), and there was also one 2.2-liter diesel engine (2183 cm³, 150 hp).

In 2012, the model was updated, which was announced at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February 2011. Among the technical innovations is the SkyActiv chassis, which reduces fuel consumption and increases the power of the power plant. There are also minor external changes. The 2009 Mazda 3 model was tested for safety by the European committee Euro NCAP, the results of which you can see in the table.

Third generation (BM, BN, 2013−present)

The third generation with the "BM" code was presented at the motor show in Australia on June 26, 2013 as a 2014 model. The car is built on a new "SkyActiv" chassis, completely abandoning the "Ford C1" platform. The body design is developed taking into account Mazda's ideology called KODO (Spirit of movement), the interior was also completely redesigned. The drag coefficient of the sedan body is only 0.26, which in combination with the new chassis makes the car very economical. The body was produced as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback. The length of the body was 4580 mm (sedan) and 4460 mm (hatchback), width 1795 mm, height 1455 mm, curb weight 1300-1315 kg. The car was assembled in Japan, Mexico and Thailand.

European models were equipped with 1.5-liter petrol engines (1496 cm³, 99 hp) and 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 120 and 163 hp), as well as 2.2-liter (2191 cm³) diesel engines with a power of 150 hp.

In the US and Canada, the car was equipped with 2.0-liter gasoline engines (1998 cm³, 155 hp) and 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, 184 hp).


Australian models came with two 2.0-litre petrol engines (1998 cm³, 153 hp) and 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, 184 hp), as well as one 2.2-liter (2191 cm³) diesel engine with a power of 173 hp.

In August 2016, the model was restyled and assigned a new code "BN". The front and rear parts of the car were changed, as well as a new dashboard design. The 2013 model year car with a hatchback body was subjected to crash tests by the European committee Euro NCAP, the results of which you can see in the table.

Mazda3 BN, hatchback

Mazda3 BN, interior

Mazda3 BN, engine bay