THE all-new Mazda 3 range – a Ford Focus rival – is launching stop-start fuel-saving tech.
Available on the 2.0 Sport petrol model, the system called ‘i-stop’ boosts fuel economy by 16% and lowers CO2 emissions by 20%.
The i-Stop Smart Idling Stop System cuts the engine when the car is at a standstill. But automatically re-starts the engine when first gear is engaged.
But it’s real party trick is the time saving: the Mazda technology allows start up in 0.35 secs – half the time of rival stop-start systems.
“The driver shouldn’t notice it,” commented Kenichiro Saruwatari, programme manager, Mazda 3.
The Mazda 3 i-Stop is available as a five-door hatchback, or a four-door saloon in 2.0 Sport trim, cost £18,025.
“The all-new Mazda 3 2.0 Sport, with our exciting i-stop technology, delivers both performance and cost savings to businesses and company car drivers,” commented Peter Allibon, Mazda fleet and remarketing director.
The new Mazda 3 2.0 Sport can sprint to 62mph in 10.4sec. Yet it delivers 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 159g/km – under the critical 160g/km capital allowances tax break.
Company car tax banding is 19% for the 2009/10 tax year. “It makes cost-effective performance driving accessible to a new group of drivers,” added Allibon.
The 2.0 Sport joins the 20-strong range of Mazda 3 models. Prices start at £13,500 for the 1.6 S five-door.
Further information
For a road test of the new Mazda 3 2.0 Sport i-stop read Mazda 3 i-stop: economically sporting
There’s more comment on the Mazda 3 in the Editor’s Blog Dinner with Mazda’s Phil Waring
World fastest stop-start tech comes to Mazda
