Review: Mazda BL Mazda3 MPS (2009-13)

Review: Mazda BL.I Mazda3 MPS (2009-11)

Overview

Released in Australia in April 2009, the Mazda BL Mazda3 MPS was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Hofu, Japan, the front-wheel drive BL Mazda3 MPS was powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

L3-VDT Engine

The 2.3-litre L3-VDT petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, direct injection (Mazda’s ‘Direct Injection Spark Ignition’, or DISI) operating at up to 115 bar, a single-scroll Borg Warner K04 turbocharger which provided peak boost pressure of 1.076 bar (15.6 psi), an air-to-air intercooler mounted on top of the engine, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

To ensure progressive power delivery and minimise understeer in first and second gear, throttle valve position and boost pressure were regulated by the electronic throttle control and turbocharger wastegate, respectively.

For the BL Mazda3 MPS, a new bonnet mounted air intake improved intercooler airflow and performance at higher ambient temperatures, while a new ‘single-nanotechnology’ catalytic converter was introduced for Euro 4 emissions compliance.

Aisin BG6 transmission

The BL Mazda3 MPS had a six-speed Aisin BG6 (A26MX-R) transmission which had a compact three-shaft design. In this transmission, the first three gears had triple-cone synchronisers, while fourth gear had double-cone synchronisers. For the BL Mazda3 MPS, lower gear ratios were introduced (corresponding ratio for the BK Mazda3 MPS shown in brackets):

• 1st: 3.214 (3.538);
• 2nd: 1.913 (2.238);
• 3rd: 1.366 (1.535);
• 4th: 1.025 (1.171);
• 5th: 0.948 (1.085); and,
• 6th: 0.79 (0.853).

Performance and fuel economy

The BL Mazda3 MPS could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The Mazda3 MPS required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (minimum); over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption was 9.9 litres per 100 km.

Dimensions and body

Relative to the BK Mazda3 MPS , the BL Mazda3 MPS was 75 mm longer (at 4505 mm), 5 mm wider (1770 mm) and 5 mm lower (1460 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2640 mm); kerb weight increased by 67 kg to 1470 kg, although the drag coefficient was reduced from 0.34 to 0.32 Cd.

Compared to its predecessor, the BL Mazda3 MPS had a stiffer chassis due to:

• a 17 per cent increase in the use of high and ultra-high strength steels;
• two rows of vertical spot welds at the joints of the header junction;
• a large corner radius for the door openings;
• a new roof gusset between the roof and B-pillar;
• weld-bonded body seals for the wheel arches and the front hinge pillars;
• additional spot welds and weld-bonding for the door openings;
• introduction of a strut bar between the between the cowl member and the front suspension towers;
• a brace bar for the rear suspension towers; and,
• additional spot welds on the tailgate opening.

Relative to the BL Mazda3 hatchback, the Mazda3 MPS had additional reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets to strength the joints between the rear suspension towers and floor, and large closed-section member that reinforced the floor tunnel.

According to Mazda, the BL Mazda3 MPS was up to 11 per cent quieter than its predecessor when travelling at 60 km/h due to aerodynamic refinements, increased suspension rigidity and improved positioning of vibration dampening material.

Suspension and steering

The BL Mazda3 MPS had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, double-acting shock absorbers and anti-roll bars). Compared to the BK Mazda3 MPS, changes included:

• Wider stabiliser mounting spans – front and rear – for greater roll resistance;
• A stronger cross-member tower made of stamped metal;
• Optimised cross-member bushings; and,
• For the rear suspension, a revised centre member for improved lateral strength.

The BL Mazda3 MPS had speed-sensitive, electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering with (EHPAS) three steering gear mount bushings (compared to two for its predecessor).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mazda BL Mazda3 MPS included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Mazda BL Mazda3 MPS had 320 mm by 25 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 280 mm by 11 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a BL Mazda3 – when fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags – received a five star safety rating which included an 86 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, protection from serious injury was good for the driver, though there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the front passenger. In the side impact test, occupant protection was generally good but the side curtain airbag did not deploy fully for the rear seat; this also occurred during the pole test. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in an adult occupant protection rating of 33.33 out of 37.

Features: Mazda3 MPS

Standard features for the Mazda3 MPS included 18 x 7.5J alloy wheels with 215/45 R18 88Y Dunlop tyres, a six speaker sound system with an MP3/WMA-compatible six-disc CD player and auxiliary input (3.5 mm/iPod), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a satellite navigation with a 4.1-inch colour display, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, front sports bucket seats, leather/cloth seat trim, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, driver’s seat memory settings, push-button start, a 12 volt power socket, illuminated vanity mirrors, stainless steel scuff plates, tinted windows, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Mazda3 MPS was also fitted with a limited slip differential.

Features: Mazda3 MPS Luxury

The Mazda3 MPS Luxury was further equipped with a 242 watt Bose sound system with ten speakers, directional bi-xenon headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. Where fitted, the Bose sound system reduced cargo capacity from 300 litres to 268 litres.

Paint colours

The Mazda3 MPS was available in Black Mica, Celestial Blue Mica, Aluminium Metallic and Velocity Red Mica paint finishes.

Related links

• Press Kit: Mazda BL.I Mazda3 MPS (July 2009)
• Specifications: Mazda BL.I Mazda3 MPS (July 2009)

Review: Mazda BL.II Mazda3 MPS (2011-13)

Overview

Released in September 2011, the BL Series II (BL.II) Mazda3 MPS introduced a revised range as the Mazda3 MPS Luxury was discontinued and its features were fitted to the Mazda3 MPS as standard.

Like the BL.II Mazda3, the BL.II Mazda3 MPS benefited from:

• A stiffer underbody structure due to a stronger forward cross-member reinforcement and additional spot welds; and,
• A stronger single brace bar which replaced the two reinforcing bars under the centre of the floor panel.

For greater refinement, the BL.II Mazda3 and Mazda3 MPS also had:

• a new B-frame beneath the floor that was 0.7 mm thicker than before and had a reinforced joining area with additional spot welds;
• additional floor damping material;
• a larger underbody cover for better aerodynamics.

Features: Mazda3 MPS

Standard features for the BL.II Mazda3 MPS were extended to include a 242 watt Bose sound system with ten speakers, directional bi-xenon headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Inside, changes for the BL.II Mazda3 MPS included:

• white text and graphics for the ‘Multi Information Display’ and LCD (positioned at the top of the instrument panel);
• red backlighting for the instruments;
• silver decoration panels replaced the previous red-accented graphics; and,
• the silver decorations on the upper part of the gearshift knob were replaced with genuine leather; and,
  The parking brake knob was also leather-wrapped.

September 2012: Mazda3 MPS update

From September 2012, the Mazda3 MPS featured USB connectivity, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming. Cosmetic changes included dark metallic alloy wheels, shark-fin antennae and Black Mica paint finishes for the door mirrors, rear lower bumper and part of the rear spoiler.

Brochure

• Brochure: Mazda BL.II Mazda3 (July 2013)

Related links

• Press Kit: Mazda BL.II Mazda3 (September 2011)
• Specifications: Mazda BL.II Mazda3 (September 2011)
• Wikipedia.org: Mazda BL Mazda3