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Mazda3 TS2 2.0D- Diesel Road test
DIESEL MOTORING
Mazda3 TS2 2.0D
It's got two point three litres of turbo-driven punch, it knocks out 256bhp - and knocks off 60mph in just 6.1 seconds. But enough about Mazda's new 3MPS, meet its new, half-decaffeinated brother, the 2.0-litre diesel.
Since refettling last year, Mazda's 3 has been trundling along with cousin Ford Focus's 1.6-litre diesel engine, a menu option that could be relied upon for 56.5mpg and a mere 135g/km of carbon sin. In terms of economic camouflage, it's like shopping at Budgens but carrying it home in Sainsbury's carrier bags.
But with a 0-60mph 11.3 seconds, it was a long walk, devoid of the "play hard" cred afforded by Volkswagen, Renault and Peugeot. So this is the cavalry: a 141bhp gap-plugger that scrapes under the 10-seconds to 60 barrier and incurs no severe penalty between the pumps, 47.1mpg being the official overall claim.
On sale now and priced from £16,735 for the TS2 model, the 3 is logical, solid and shapely, but it arrives at the hatchback party with the same standard-issue styling as its rivals. Consequently it blends in, which might be a huge relief if you're a touch shy, though in the absence of a more upmarket badge, I suspect you might have secretly wished for something comparable to the Renault Megane's cheeky rump, or the Alfa 147's perky nose.
That said, some details compensate - the detailing of the light clusters is supercooled and the 16-inch alloy wheel design (and sharper-still 17s, if you opt for the Sport) ensures that the entire shape stands with confidence.
Front to back, the cabin is certainly spacious with plenty of leg and headroom for four adults and no real penalties for a third, rear passenger. And the boot space is exceptional for the class.
From the driving seat, everything that should move does - the steering both for, aft and hitherways and the seat base up and down. You also get four cup-holders to slake your thirst, while the glovebox is a proper holdall, not a glorified ashtray.
So to the test proper. The driving position hardly induces a state of zoom. Given that hatches now have to meet EU pedestrian legislation, like its key rivals, the 3's driving seat, lodged behind the hefty dash, feels like you're wedged on a camel. Behind the front hump. It gets off to a good start, though - on ignition, this unit is very quiet and smooth and would offend only the most inveterate of diesel detractors. The power spread here is a broad buffet of torque, from the standing start all the way up to top speeds.
Factor in a neatly crafted steering wheel, a highly co-operative gearbox blessed with short throws and nicely notchy differentiation and, within a few miles, you're starting to get the point. It's like ordering beans on toast because the lobster's off - and then rediscovering one of the best culinary classics of your childhood.
Handling could be a little firmer, those broad shoulders of torque could be a little peakier and the entire rig could have just an ounce more pizzazz but nonetheless, the uprated 2.0 diesel 3 marks a bold step up the ladder from its 1.6-litre sibling. And when you've done zooming and are putting the thing to bed, you can only admire the sporty, overlapping instrument binnacles, let your fingers linger on the impeccably crafted trim and coo at the quality.
The Mazda 3 arrived at the hot-diesel hatchback party a bit late and it brought the same tube of Pringles everyone else opted for. Yet you get the feeling that come 3am, when the Renault and the Peugeot have copped off, the Alfa's drunk itself silly, the Vauxhall's prompted a suicide and the ghost of Rover has appeared in the garden, this is the one that will still be going strong.
And that, I suppose, is what REAL zoom-zoom is all about.
Tiscali verdict: 7/10 hatches come hotter, but quality is tip-top
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