New 2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive ;Launch Review in Pictures

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive

2012 Mazda3 SP20 Skyactive Review

OVERVIEW-- Conventional but clever SP20 a rational alternativeMazda has introduced to the Aussie market a car that threatens the eco-friendly credibility of hybrids and diesels alike — and it's a conventional petrol-engined car with a conventional auto transmission.

Slotting into a revamped Mazda3 range, the Mazda3 SP20 SKYACTIV piggybacks off the mainstream, volume-selling models while offering buyers something a little bit different. It's a car that boasts many of the fuel-saving features of the smarter diesels and hybrids around, but also delivers native efficiency from the engine, without any concessions affecting driveability.

Anyone off the street could step into the SP20 and drive it without ever twigging that this is a car that can reduce fuel use in most situations by as much as a third. There are just two tell-tales, the trip computer's readout of fuel consumption and the I-Stop system that shuts down the engine when the car is brought to a halt. The latter is one of two features — the other being electrically-assisted steering — that conserve fuel and aren't integral to the engine. While the electric steering has been introduced to the entire Mazda3 range, for the moment the I-Stop system is exclusive to the SP20, which is the sporty eco hero of the range.

Mazda expects the SP20 to account for as much as 15 per cent of the updated Mazda3 range and the importer claims that number is the effective ceiling, given supply constraints for the SKYACTIV-G engine powering the frugal variant.

Both the SP20 and the rest of the revised Mazda3 range are being launched here at a time that Mazda wouldn't have chosen in better circumstances. This time of year, according to the importer, sales are slow and the market only begins to pick up properly in the last couple of months for the year.

As we reported recently, the Mazda3 lost ground to the Holden Commodore in September [2011] sales, mostly as Mazda ran out the superseded model, leaving it with relatively little stock on the ground in anticipation of the new model. That's a good result for Mazda — a successful runout — but comes at the cost of breaking the Commodore's 16-year stranglehold on the title of Australia's most popular car.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT-- Unrest in the small-car segment drives lower prices, more equipmentMazda has reacted to the growing competition in the already crowded small car segment by shaving prices and adding value here and there in the Mazda3 range.

As the entry-level model the Mazda3 Neo starts the ball rolling at $20,330 with manual transmission. Not only is that price $1000 cheaper than before, but the Neo is now claimed by Mazda to represent added value worth $1790. This is basically contingent on the base-grade's new 15-inch alloy wheels and body-colour door handles. Automatic transmission adds $2000 to the purchase price.

Mazda has dropped the six-disc CD changer previously fitted to the Maxx Sport and the manual variant is now priced at $24,490 —$1870 cheaper than before. Based on the lower-spec audio system, Mazda advises the difference in value is $1815 only, with some of that resulting from the new standard features: auto-on/off headlights and rain-sensing wipers. As for the Neo, the price of the automatic transmission option is $2000.

The Mazda3 Diesel is priced at $27,360 and both the price reduction ($1870) and the difference in value ($1815) are the same as for the Maxx Sport — and for the same reasons. There is still no automatic transmission option for the Diesel.

Now priced $1630 lower ($31,490), the SP25 offers $2885 extra value, the importer claims. Extra equipment in this level of trim comprises bi-xenon headlights, sliding centre armrest, smart (keyless) entry with push-button starting. Complete with shift paddles, the SP25's automatic transmission option adds $2180 to the purchase price.

Mazda has brought the price of the flagship MPS below $40,000 ($39,490) and estimates that for the price drop of $2425, the MPS now offers $2175 of extra value.

The only new variant in the range, the SP20 starts at $27,990, with a luxury pack available for a n all-up cost of $30,990. For the extra outlay, the luxury pack model features bi-xenon headlights, a sliding centre armrest, leather upholstery and a 10-speaker BOSE audio system with subwoofer.