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21 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 5, 2009 Mazdaspeed3 is the last piece of the Mazda3 lineup puzzle By Rob Beintema Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine It doesn't take long. Just accelerating out of the pits puts the first hint of a smile on your face. And before the first lap at Mosport is over, the body has become wedged into the seat, the hands and feet have found the rhythm of clutch, shifter and steering, and your grin has fixed itself firmly in place. This is the new 2010 Mazdaspeed3, the last piece of the puzzle in the Mazda3 lineup. Now, maybe I shouldn't use the puzzle analogy because there's nothing puzzling about Mazda's reason for this latest addition, taking the inherent qualities of Mazda's nimble entry-level compact and pushing its performance and driving dynamics envelope to new limits. The Mazdaspeed division was first formed around Mazda's racing efforts and it has become the company's tuning and performance parts operation. And with the recent debut of the all-new Mazda3, it was inevitable that a new 2010 Mazdaspeed3 should build on both the new compact car platform and the popularity of the Mazdaspeed model it replaces. The Mazdaspeed3 is, in essence, a special, limited-edition version, so it's only natural that there should be some, well, limits on choice as well. Which is why the Mazdaspeed3 is only available in the five-door hatchback Sport body configuration, why it doesn't come with a moonroof option which would compromise weight and body rigidity, and why it only offers the singlechoice of a six-speed manual transmission. This is a car for drivers who delight in the downshift engine note, in getting the corner-entry and apex right, in matching engine revs, braking and balance. So if we're talking about performance, we might as well start under the hood with the awardwinning MZR 2.3-litre direct-injection (DISI) turbocharged engine. This motor makes 263 hp at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb/ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. It pulls with authority, roaring up to speed harmoniously with barely a whistle of turbo whine. By pairing direct-injection with a turbocharger, the motor makes the kind of muscle that achieves performance on par with larger displacement engines. You can see this by comparing this four-banger's almost equivalent power ratings to big brother Mazda6's optional V6 engine. Yet the turbo-powered fourcylinder remains relatively thrifty, rated at 11.5/8.0L/100km (city/hwy), getting an econo assist from slightly taller cogs in a new six-speed gearbox. The world's first nanotechnology catalytic converter also delivers cleaner emissions in this new model while using fewer precious metals in the catalytic converter production process. And all this from an engine that accelerates the Mazdaspeed3 from 0-100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds, topping out at an electronicallylimited 250 km/h. Mazda engineers didn't really feel the need to increase the engine's already impressive power numbers, so they focused more on smoothing the turbo boost delivery and harnessing all that muscle to accelerate in a more linear fashion. Stiffer drive shafts work in conjunction with the engine refinements to control the potential herky-jerky torque steer of frontwheel-drive power. Chassis reinforcements, greater body rigidity and a suspension system modified exclusively for the Mazdaspeed3 were fine-tuned on the track of Germany's famed Nürburgring for more precise steering, greater stability and a flatter ride. New Dunlop SP Sport 2050 225/40R18 tires for the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 are wider than on the previous model and are a full size larger than the 16- and 17-inch wheels available on the regular Mazda3. And, with all this emphasis on get-up-and-go, we shouldn't ignore the equally important accent on stopping power. Braking is excellent, with little evidence of track fade on the corners of Mosport's development track, despite the beating I was giving the Mazdaspeed3. Large diameter 320 mm ventilated disc brakes in the front and 280 mm solid discs in rear are bolstered by a new electronically-controlled brake assist system that replaces the previous mechanical system, working well in conjunction with the standard DSC and four-wheel ABS systems. And as mentioned earlier, this whole package of dynamic and performance improvements has been wrapped in the modified package of a Mazda3 Sport body. The Mazda3 has always been especially popular in Canada, so the redesign of the second-generation version was bound to create some controversy from a very attentive audience. It's edgier, over-the-top styling and Joker-grin face front end have proved polarizing but I will leave the judgment of beauty to the beholder. The 2010 Mazdaspeed3 tweaks the styling treatment with a honking big, functional air scoop for the intercooler gaping in the centre of the hood. An exclusive front bumper and front fenders with an RX-8 flair are accented by cylindrical bi-xenon headlamps with boomerang shaped position lamps and round fog lamps. The back end of the Mazdaspeed3 features a large floating rear spoiler and new, brighter LED tail lamps. Inside, customers can choose any colour of interior they like ­ as long as it is black. That single choice is accented by a red graphic design on the seats and trim, along with red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and centre armrest. Which, I guess, goes nicely with the red accents of gauge and instrument illumination. A small LED turbo boost gauge joins the instrument cluster for the Continued on page 22 Hyundai of Oakville Celebrates 25th Anniversary In light of the recent automotive industry issues, it is extremely rare to see a dealership succeeding, never mind celebrating its 25th anniversary. This is the case, however, for Hyundai of Oakville, who on Tuesday, July 21 gathered with family, friends, employees and Steve Kelleher, the CEO and President of Hyundai Auto Canada to celebrate 25 years of successful business. "This is quite a momentums occasion with Hyundai of Oakville turning 25 this year. What makes it quite special is the fact Hyundai has been in Canada only 26 years," General Manager Derek Chan said. This celebration was more than a 25th anniversary to owner Ron Chan, it was a celebration of the first time he had owned the dealership on his own. "2009 is a year to be remembered as the year that I fulfilled my dream as a complete entrepreneur," Ron said in his speech. The showroom was completely cleared to make room for the dinner, awards and the karaoke that would soon follow the evening's end. To get the evening's festivities started, guests were treated to a traditional Chinese lion dance. During the evening three new initiatives surrounding the 25th anniversary theme were announced by Derek including: store front glass coverings reading `25th Anniversary Sale' for everyone to see, a year long Oakville Transit bus campaign with the message that the dealership has proudly served Oakville for 25 years, and finally a Blue-bag initiative prompting everyone to `Keep Oakville Green ­ Blue Bag It.' "Twenty-five years is a very long time for any business to be around, Photo by Michael Ivanin Hyundai of Oakville employee and Service Award (for loyal employees who have been with company for 20 or more years) recipient Gord Browne stands between Hyundai of Oakville Dealer Principal Ronald Chan, left, and President and CEO Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. Steve Kelleher during Hyundai of Oakville 25th anniversary celebration. especially in the car industry," Derek says. "With all the competition out there and for us to grow so much over the years to capture 25 per cent of the import market this year is amazing." Though the night was about celebrating 25 years of excellence, the evening was really all about the celebration of their employees. Multiple awards were handed out to recognize the loyal employees that brought them to where they are today. "Without the hard work and years of loyal service, we would not be here," Derek adds. The first award of the evening was an Award of Excellence that went to Wesley Denomme for his performance that went above and beyond by winning the prestigious number one Mechanic in Canada award, as well as earning the number two Mechanic in the World spot in Korea. Loyalty awards were also given to employees that have been with the company for more than five, 10, 15 and 20 years including Anna Do, Trung Do, Craig Fleming and Atif Shaikh in the five year category; Eddie Yau and Tanya Ventura in the 10 year category; and Maria WarrenCarson and Barrie Waterfield in the 15 year category. There was one person that had been with the company almost from the beginning, being with Hyundai of Oakville for more than 20 years, Gord Browne. For more information on Hyundai of Oakville contact them at 905-845-7791, drop by the dealership located at 2500 South Service Road West, or visit their website at www.hyundaiofoakville.ca