Mazda continued the unveiling of its new SKYACTIV technology in Hollywood recently, inviting auto journalists to take a fleet of sporty new Mazda 3s out into the California desert alongside comparable makes and models from their competitors.
For the uninitiated, SKYACTIV is Mazda’s ongoing answer to the green car craze. Other automakers poured billions of dollars in research and development funding into hybrids and electric cars with occasional, if middling success. But, Mazda sided with the cadre of automakers (like Volkswagen and few others) who chose to evolve and improve the internal combustion engine before trying to get two ton machines forged from metal and plastic to run on pleasant notions and gummy bears.
It’s an important step for Mazda because the company behind the “Zoom-Zoom” philosophy of fun driving at all times in affordable cars often sacrificed high mileage for above average performance. In general terms, Mazdas had the reputation of being more fun to drive than Hondas or Subarus for the price – but those other guys got better mileage by a few miles per gallon.
By turning to SKYACTIV with its high compression engines, refined materials and reengineered mechanical designs look to make all Mazda lighter and more efficient – aiming for an estimated 40 to 42 mpg highway, standard across the product line (except in the higher end sports cars and larger SUVs).
Mazda already debuted SKYACTIV to the North American press at a special driving event in Vancouver earlier this year. The Hiroshima-based car makers flew in specially built Mazda 6 gas and diesel test vehicles to demonstrate the performance improvements of SKYACTIV. But, the Hollywood gathering was the first to feature actual assembly line, road-ready cars equipped with the new engineering.
The Mazda 3 has evolved from its early days as an affordable four door that aspired to be an affordable luxury sedan into a fun, quick four cylinder hatchback. With its $18,995 price point making it one of the most popular makes in the entire line, the 3 will be where most would-be buyers get their first taste of SKYACTIV.
The press took automatic and manual transmission versions of the 3 from the historic Roosevelt Hotel along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame out onto a dusty, arid stretch of the Angeles Crest Highway – prime driving ground with its nonexistent traffic and perfect blend of hills and curves. The Mazda 3 put all of its 163 horsepower down under its reduced weight as it ate up the dusty turns. Though it’s front wheel drive, I misbehaved along a particularly lonely stretch of road and tested the MacPherson front suspension by drifting the Mazda 3 wherever gravel allowed. The Mazda 3 is still as precise and as quick a driving experience as you’re going to find for the price.
The folks at Mazda evidently believe in open competition as they set up a few rival makes and models to fall in concurrent road tests. While journalist drove the 3s out into the desert, they could drive 2012 versions of the Honda Civic HF, the Toyota Corolla, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, the Hyundai Elantra and the Ford Focus SFE.
In comparative fuel economy tests, the Mazda 3’s 33.7 mpg beat out every other make except the Civic HF. Strangely enough, the Civic HF also happened to be the lease entertaining car to drive as it feels like your riding in a damp sponge. The only cars that could approach matching the Mazda 3’s fun factor were the Elantra (29.9 mpg) and the Focus (32.1 mpg).
So, if Mazda’s goal was to prove the Mazda 3 SKYACTIV provides the best overall mix of driving fun and fuel economy in its class, mission accomplished. With the Los Angeles Auto Show looming and more SKYACTIV debuts scheduled, we’ll see how the technology changes the rest of the Mazda family.
