Mazda 3 Sport ‘Smart Edition’ for Japan

By Matt Brogan | January 19th, 2009

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of the Mazda Axela Sport 1.5 ‘Smart Edition’ in Japan.

This special edition Mazda Axela (known here as the Mazda3) goes on sale from today and, as the name suggests, features a 1.5-litre four cylinder engine coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox.

The ‘Smart Edition’ comes equipped with a rear roof spoiler to add a touch of sportiness and is aimed squarley at inner-city buyers who want a slightly larger car without the added performance (and fuel consumption) a bigger engine usually offers.

Myke

Sport and a 1.5 litre engine is a bit of a contradiction for a small/medium car. I gather (and hoping) its not coming here?
http://www.caradvice.com.au Matt

I doubt it Myke, and most people would be thankful for that, though I can imagine a few buyers who might like the choice. It would be a lot cheaper than a Neo I’d imagine. Probably eat in to the 2 market too much here I guess.
Richo

Why do we here in Australia care about this CA? Slow news day?
Futzi

Irrelevant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew M

I agree with richo, and my thoughts extend to ask why they have added this version with the new 3 right on the door step.
im surprised that they dont already have the new model in their home land
Cupid Stunt

Myke – sporty looks but no sporty go. Not all want sub 7 second 100′s the cities not a place for it anyway so it makes good sense.
Yeh why the story about a poxy Mazda when Porsche have a diesel powered Cayenne for sale in the next month or two. The 1st Porche Derv burner ever. Much more important IMO.
http://name.com Name

Hisakazu Imaki, Alastair Doak, Philip G. Spender, Takashi Yamanouchi, David E. Friedman, Ms. Mayumi Handa, Daniel T. Morris, Kiyoshi Ozaki, Mr K. Yoshitake, Seita Kanai, Masaharu Yamaki, Masazumi Wakayama, Yuji Harada, Nobuhiro Hayama, James J. O’Sullivan, Akira Marumoto, Keishi Egawa, Toru Oka, Malcolm D. Gough, James M. Muir, Nobuhide Inamoto, Yasuto Tatsuta, Kumar Galhotra, Satoshi Tachikake, Hirotaka Kanazawa, Masamichi Kogai, Koji Kurosawa, Shiro Mikami, Ms. Mayumi Handa, Kozo Kawakami, Noriaki Yamada, Toshinori Kusuhashi, Yuji Nakamine, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Tatsuji Ikeda, Minoru Mitsuda, Masafumi Nakano, Kazuki Imai, John Newell, Tetsuya Fujimoto, Mr K. Yoshitake, Kawada, Takuji, Yoshinobu Kido, Masamitsu Koike, Toshiyuki Kikuchi, Akihiko Nakajima, Naomitsu Morishima, Seo, Nobuhide, Glenn Butler, Lydia Richards.

I am still awaiting a satisfactory answer from an authorized representative ?

Dear Sir / Madam.

Reference: John Newell Mazda Dealership, NSW, Australia.
Please note ATTACHMENT: Authorized Mazda Service Tax Invoice.

SITUATION ONE (1):

Engine mount was rubbing on body metal frame causing shuddering of vehicle at idle.

When serviced, it became apparent one only insulator engine mount required replacement.

As this situation occurred before 50,000 kilometers, the expense should have been accepted by the Mazda Dealership but was not.

SITUATION TWO (2):

Situation one (1) above was presumably under the six (6) year warranty plan i.e. if continuously serviced by an authorized Mazda dealership I was originally informed, warranty extends from three (3) years to six (6) years.

Again the Mazda Dealership did not accept responsibility as it was explained in the contract the extra three (3) year warranty is only with the Mazda Dealership where the vehicle was purchased from.

Said vehicle was purchased and serviced at different authorized Mazda dealerships.

SUMMARY:

Obviously it seems there are different standards for various authorized Mazda Dealerships as they do not have the same warranty plans. I find this rather prejudiced and customer inhibiting, Mazda I thought was one (1) company.

As I mentioned above the insulated engine mount is obviously a part and/or install defect, thus should be the responsibility of Mazda not the loyal customer.

CONCLUSION:

I am not after reimbursement as I am considerate of procedures already instigated but I think a fair answer would be the next service is free of charge.

Matt

Just adding to this thread.

I had exactly the same issue. My rarely driven 2005 Mazda 3 Max Sport had an engine mount fail after 45,000km. In my case, I did go back to the dealer who offered the extended warranty, and they refused to see it as a warranty repair.

I’m sorry, but an engine mount failing after such a short distance reflects either a design fault or a manufacturing fault. It should have be covered.

I was going to replace the car with a new Mazda after 3 years (either a Mazda6 or a Mazda3 SP25), but now I’ve decided to live with the one I have for another three years, have it serviced by a non-dealer mechanic to my own schedule, then trade it in against a VW Golf. In the meantime, I’m relaying this story to every potential new car buyer I know so they can factor this in to their purchasing decision.

Matt

http://autobizz autobizz

Mazda confirm launch new version of Mazda 3 this fall.
Compared to the current Mazda3, the SkyActiv model will achieve a roughly 20 percent improvement in fuel economy, with 15 percent coming from the engine itself, while an additional four to seven percent improvement is attributed to the new SkyActiv-drive transmission.