Mazda 3 Skyactiv 2011 Review

Who needs hybrid power or a small turbo motor to boost fuel economy? Not Mazda, which last week unveiled a new model in its super-successful 3 range with a normal 2.0-litre four-cylinder, but enhanced with Skyactiv technology.

The result is a whopping 26 per cent improvement in economy, allowing the Mazda 3 SP20 Skyactiv to return an average 6.1litres/100km (that's a sensational 46mpg in the old coin). At the same time, price cuts for the entire 3 range were announced.

VALUE

Remains much as before, with prices now sharper by between $1800 and $2900 on Neo, Maxx Sport, diesel, SP25 and MPS. The Maxx has been dropped and the SP20 Skyactiv, at $27,990 and $30,990 for the Luxury version, takes over from the earlier sporty SP20.

PRACTICALITY

The entire range has been given a light facelift, improved aerodynamics and retuned chassis settings, including a new brace, for better handling and a flatter, more comfortable ride. The body frame is of thicker steel and there's more soundproofing for a very quiet cabin.

TECHNOLOGY

The 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine is a lightweight powerplant with redesigned pistons, inlet and exhaust systems and a hair-raising 12:1 compression ratio.

In Japan, where 95 octane fuel is standard, the compression is even higher at 14:1. The Australian models are tuned to run on the regular 91 octane brew.

Aiding the motor, which puts out 113kW/194Nm, up 4.6 and 6.6per cent respectively, is a Skyactive Drive six-speed automatic transmission. It locks up nearly 90 per cent of the time, rather than the more common 55 per cent, to give a more direct-drive feel, and can be flicked over to sequential manual shift.

The engine generates 30 per cent less friction, has power-saving water and oil pump features to optimise economy. And then there's i-Stop, a system that switches off the engine when you stop. Another advance is a power control system that recovers a lot of energy when the car is decelerating and stores it in the big battery.

Wind resistance plays a big part in how much fuel a car uses and the SP20 Skyactiv has a lot of underbody cover to make it as smooth as possible.

DESIGN

The Mazda3 SkyActiv is an auto-only car, in sedan and hatch, and it's a pretty high-spec model with most of the gear expected of a car of this calibre.The Luxury gets more kit - bi-xenon headlights, sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim, a 10-speaker Bose 242 watt audio system.

DRIVING

Smooth and quiet, with a nice taut, confident feel around corners and first-class steering and brakes. Most owners are bound to switch the info display to "fuel economy" and watch in awe as the numbers drop once the Skyactiv gets to cruising pace.

We got 5.6 litres/100km for about 100km of our 300km round trip from Melbourne to Pt Arlington and back and the worst we saw was 6.2 during a spirited squirt through the twisty bits.

We averaged 5.9litres/100km (48mpg) in a car capable of very good performance and packed with luxury and safety features. Lovely gearbox too. So what's not to love? Mazda 3 is the flavour of the times with buyers, and the arrival of the Skyactiv can only make its success sweeter. Pricing starts at $20,330 for the Mazda3 Neo.

NEED TO KNOW

Skyactive technology will feature on the CX5 when it arrives next year. The SP20 Skyactiv is the nation's most fuel-efficient petrol-powered car Price revision will give Neo about 65per cent of Mazda3 sales, SP20 Skyactive about 15per cent.

"Skyactiv is very difficult to explain. "I have an iPad that I love. I don't know how it works, but it works. "Skyactiv's like that." Mazda marketing manager Alistair Doak

MAZDA3 SP20 SKYACTIV

Price: $27,490 (Skyactiv Luxury $30,490)
Warranty: Three years, unlimited km
Service intervals: six months/10,000km
Thirst: 6.1 litres/100km, 143g/km CO2 (sedan)
Safety equipment: Six airbags, ABS, BA EBD, TC, DSC
Crash rating: Five star ANCAP rated
Engine: 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder, 113kW/194Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Brakes: 300mm ventilated front discs, solid 265mm rear discs
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear
Dimensions: Sedan 4580mm, hatch 4460mm (L); 1755mm (W); 1470mm (H), 2640mm (WB)