Highly rigid body
The basic development concept for the body shell of the all-new Mazda 3 was to improve the overall balance of the body's rigidity and ensure it firmly absorbs the reaction force of the dampers. To this end, particular attention went to reinforcing the area around the front and rear suspension mounts and the joint sections in each corner, which are subject to greater stress. Structural adhesive was used to strengthen the joints for the front and rear suspension towers, and spot welding was added to reinforce the joints of the door openings. The result is a substantial improvement in rigidity and body hysteresis (the degree of car body deformation due to repeated applications of torsional load).
See also:
Mileage, Safety & Reliability
As I've said, the Mazda2 is related to the Fiesta, but one area where there's
a noticeable difference between the two is in the mileage department. Where the
Mazda gets an estimated 27-29 mpg in t ...
Mazda 2 in the Market
I've driven pretty much everything in the small-car field, and the Mazda2 is
one I'd recommend any shopper take for a test drive. Its ride is the best in the
category, yet it's still more fun to d ...
Vehicle Overview
Launched internationally in 2007, the subcompact Mazda2 arrives stateside for
2011 as Mazda's entry-level offering. It's only available as a hatchback and is
slotted below the Mazda3. However, the ...