Automobiles Review

Tag: Mazda 3

  • Alfa Romeo 4C Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2013 Says Internet Survey

    Alfa-Romeo-4C-shadowAlfa-Romeo-4C-mediumAnother design award. This time at the receiving end was the Alfa Romeo 4C. The title: “Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2013”. The award was handed at the 29thInternational Automobile Festival after an internet survey gathered the votes of people worldwide.

    With 40.70 percent of the votes in favor, the 4C ended up being the undisputed victor among the contestants. Runner-ups included the BMW 4 series (25.55), the Mercedes-Benz CLA (22.15) and the Mazda 3 (11.60).

    The International Automobile Festival – started in 1986 Charmonix – has been handing out the “Most Beautiful Car of the Year”award on an yearly basis ever since 1988; when, again, the Alfa 164 took the prize home. The Alfa Brera and the Alfa MiTo also won the hearts of the voters in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

    Today the Alfa Romeo 4C is an award favorite. Recently it was proclaimed as the “Car of the Year 2013” by…erhm… the UK edition of FHM magazine. It also won the “Coup de coeur 2013” title at given by the French Automobile Magazine. Even in Germany the 4C headed the Auto Trophy 2013 reader survey conducted by Auto Zeitung.

    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013
    Alfa Romeo 4C frankfurt 2013

    Source: Alfa Romeo

  • BBR Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel – 243HP and 529Nm

    BBR Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel

    BBR has presented their extensive tuning program for Mazda 3/5/6 and CX7 models. The tuning copmany has developed its own range of StarChip ECU remaps and mechanical enhancements for the Mazda diesel range of vehicles using its brand new, state of the art 4WD chassis dynomometer which ensures an even higher level of reliable, repeatable, economy friendly performance.
    BBR Phase 1 includes an ECU re-map boosting the 2.2 liter diesel to 220HP (162 kW) and 510Nm (378 lb-ft) of torque. This is an increase of 38HP (28 kW) and (68 lb-ft). BBR’s StarChip ECU remap software has been calibrated to deliver an extremely linear throttle pedal / turbo boost map, resulting in a considerably smoother driving experience compared to the factory ECU settings.
    It is worth noting that BBR achieves similar gains on the lower powered Mazda 121/143 HP 2.0-litre turbodiesel variants, while customers with 150 HP 2.2-litre Mazda models can exceed the factory 185 HP power output using the BBR Phase One conversion. Dyno testing has proven impressive peak figures of 192HP (141 kW) and 446Nm (330 lb.ft) of torque on this lower powered variant.
    £499.00 – Fitted and custom mapped on BBR’s in-house chassis dynomometer
    £599.00 – DIY Including EcuTek ProEcu programming kit (a £150 option when installed at BBR)
    http://www.automobilesreview.com/category/tuning/bbr/
    BBR Phase 2 boosts the 2.2 litre diesel to 243HP (179 kW) and 529Nm (392 lb-ft) of torque. The result is thanks to a new ‘hybrid’ turbocharger with modified internals for additional gasflow potential, plus includes a high flowing panel air filter with additional ECU remapping to suit.
    £1499.00 – Fitted and custom mapped on BBR’s in-house chassis dynomometer
    £1199.00 – DIY Including EcuTek ProEcu programming kit (a £150 option when installed at BBR)

    BBR has presented their extensive tuning program for Mazda 3/5/6 and CX7 models. The tuning copmany has developed its own range of StarChip ECU remaps and mechanical enhancements for the Mazda diesel range of vehicles using its brand new, state of the art 4WD chassis dynomometer which ensures an even higher level of reliable, repeatable, economy friendly performance.

    BBR Phase 1 includes an ECU re-map boosting the 2.2 liter diesel to 220HP (162 kW) and 510Nm (378 lb-ft) of torque. This is an increase of 38HP (28 kW) and (68 lb-ft). BBR’s StarChip ECU remap software has been calibrated to deliver an extremely linear throttle pedal / turbo boost map, resulting in a considerably smoother driving experience compared to the factory ECU settings.

    It is worth noting that BBR achieves similar gains on the lower powered Mazda 121/143 HP 2.0-litre turbodiesel variants, while customers with 150 HP 2.2-litre Mazda models can exceed the factory 185 HP power output using the BBR Phase One conversion. Dyno testing has proven impressive peak figures of 192HP (141 kW) and 446Nm (330 lb.ft) of torque on this lower powered variant.

    £499.00 – Fitted and custom mapped on BBR’s in-house chassis dynomometer

    £599.00 – DIY Including EcuTek ProEcu programming kit (a £150 option when installed at BBR)

    BBR Phase 2 boosts the 2.2 litre diesel to 243HP (179 kW) and 529Nm (392 lb-ft) of torque. The result is thanks to a new ‘hybrid’ turbocharger with modified internals for additional gasflow potential, plus includes a high flowing panel air filter with additional ECU remapping to suit.

    £1499.00 – Fitted and custom mapped on BBR’s in-house chassis dynomometer

    £1199.00 – DIY Including EcuTek ProEcu programming kit (a £150 option when installed at BBR)

    BBR Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel dyno
    BBR Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel

    Source: BBR

  • BBR Mazda 3 MPS Phase 2

    BBR has announced the specially tuned Mazda 3 Phase 2. It is based on the powerfull Mazda 3 MPS with 2.3 DSI engine.

    A lot of modifications has been made for boosting Mazda 3 MPS to 320PS. Firstly, the MPS’s standard, airflow restrictive turbo inlet hoses are replaced with high flow, cast aluminium/silicon versions specifically designed to withstand higher boost levels without deformation. To optimise inlet flow and provide superior filtration BBR replaces the stock paper airbox element with a high flow performance filter.

    The exhaust has been modified, too. Mazda MPS turbo downpipe, pre-catalyst and main catalytic converter are replaced with a BBR 3 inch stainless steel downpipe including a sports catalyst.

    In conjunction with the BBR Phase 2’s mechanical modifications a custom mapped BBR Star Chip is installed to extract the maximum safe power from the original Mazda MPS turbo charger.

    The end results are 320PS (235 kW) at 6200RPM and 500Nm (370 lb-ft) at 3800RPM.

    Priced at £1645, with a fitting charge of £395, customers should allow six to eight hours for installation. A 3 inch diameter cat back stainless steel exhaust system is available for a further £495.

    BBR also offers Mazda 3 MPS Performance Spring set for £165. You can also order a full Specification Koni adjustable dampers for £795.

    BBR Mazda 3 MPS Phase 2
    BBR Mazda 3 MPS Phase 2
    BBR Mazda 3 MPS Phase 2
    BBR Mazda 3 MPS Phase 2

    BBR’s Phase Two Conversion includes:

    A BBR spec High flow fuel pump – the standard Mazda 2.3 DSI high pressure fuel pump is removed, disassembled and cleaned, the standard unit is reassembled with the addition of BBR’s high flow internals and unit reinstalled – retaining the standard visual appearance but with much higher performance.

    A BBR High Flow inlet hose set – a complete set of high flow replacement hoses are included, removing Mazda’s inherent flow restrictions and allowing greater flow to the turbocharger.

    A BBR high flow exhaust downpipe with sports cat – a complete downpipe section including sports catalyst, produced from highest quality aircraft grade stainless steel ensuring a perfect fit and consistent high flow.

    A high flow filter – BBR specifies a ‘drop in’ performance air filter, which improves inlet airflow, increases throttle response and comes with a million mile warranty.

    BBR MPS Phase Two Power 318 bhp @ 6580 RPM
    BBR MPS Phase Two Torque 370 ft/lbs @ 3900-4300 RPM

    Source: BBR

  • 2012 Mazda3 facelift

    2012 Mazda3 will be exhibited at the Canadian International Auto Show. However, the company has unveiled it ahead of its debut.

    The facelift features restyled front and rear bumpers, new grille and new headlights. The new Mazda3 also comes with new models 16″ and 17″ alloys.

    There is no data about the engine range, but Mazda will introduce a super-efficient SKYACTIV-G petrol engine and a SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission. (more…)

  • All-new Mazda3 saloon to debut at Los Angeles auto show

    Mazda3Mazda has confirmed that the four-door saloon version of the all-new Mazda3, completely redesigned for the first time in five years, will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19th November 2008.

    (more…)