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Mazda Motor Corporation assembles the Mazda3, an automobile model (known in Japan as the Axela), and offers it to the public under the Mazda brand.
The Mazda3 is all-new and replaces the Mazda_Protegé for 2004. The Mazda3 styling is based on the MX-Sportif concept car and is powered by a variety of engines, depending on the market. In its native Japan, that's either a 81 kW (110 bhp JIS) 1.5-liter, 110 kW (150 bhp JIS) 2.0-liter or 126 kW (171 bhp JIS) 2.3-liter, all of the MZR engine family. Only the two most powerful of these are available in America, with slightly inferior power levels, while in Europe, the 2.0-liter is the top of the line, joined by smaller 1.4 or 1.6-litre MZR engines, as well as a 1.6-litre Diesel unit similar to the Ford Duratorq, re-branded as MZ-CD and capable of 80 kW (109 bhp ECE). A five-speed manual transmission is the norm, with a four-speed automatic optional for the larger engines.
The car is based on Ford's global C1 Platform, which is shared with the new Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Chassis development was carried out by the Japanese side of the project, and will also be practically unaltered for the Focus. The Mazda3/Axela is available in two different bodyworks, a four-door sedan, marketed as "coupé style" in Europe, and a five-door hatchback, branded the Sport version in America and Japan. In America, the Mazda3 only has two trim levels, "i" for the 2-litre engine and "s" for the 2.3-litre. Both trim levels with the stronger engine add such items as air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver's seat and power windows, door locks and mirrors. Wheel size for the s sedan moves up to a 16 inch tyre, and its 55-series tires are wider for crisper handling. The hatchback gets even larger 17 inch wheels and wider (50-series) tires.
The Mazda3 has been very well-received in all markets, and as of 2004 was the best selling car in Canada. Mazda is increasing production of the Axela/Mazda3 at its Hofu 1 and 2 factories to meet heavy worldwide demand of over 300,000 units per year.
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