Topic: 2012 Mazda5 GS; Day 1

[wing]

Typically Mazda under-powers their cars, or over estimates what their engines are capable of (see Miata and RX8) boondoggles.

[Dante]

Typically Mazda under-powers their cars, or over estimates what their engines are capable of (see Miata and RX8) boondoggles.

I thought manufacturers now use the same method to rate their engines (SAE). Some even specify that in their spec sheet.

I know in the past, 2004-2005, Mazda3 2.3L I4 was rated at 160hp. In 2006 or so they revised the rating (SAE) at 156hp. Not a big difference IMO.

I was surprised by your remark since in general Mazda vehicles are not slow by any means relative to the engine size/power.

[dirtyjeffer]

I know in the past, 2004-2005, Mazda3 2.3L I4 was rated at 160hp. In 2006 or so they revised the rating (SAE) at 156hp. Not a big difference IMO.

I was surprised by your remark since in general Mazda vehicles are not slow by any means relative to the engine size/power.

perhaps BEING slow and FEELING slow are two different things...i am sure some cars feel quicker than they really are, and some the complete opposite...when i drove a 911 several years ago, it was pretty quick, but when you were driving it, it didn't feel as fast as is was...don't get me wrong, it was a very enjoyable ride, just that i initially thought it wasn't that fast...until i realized i was going way above the speed limit...it certainly didn't feel like it.

[Dante]

They sure are. My comment is directed to Wing's statement.

Mazda DOES NOT typically over estimates the power ratings anymore. This was an issue 5-7 years ago but I don’t think it is today, unless there is some info to back up the contrary.
I recall the RX-8 rating issue, but Mazda corrected the rating at a later time by dropping it to the SAE rating (starting 2007?)

[theonlydt]

On the engine RPM all that I can add is that for the 2010 model it was about the following:

110kmh 5 speed manual - 3500rpm
110kmh 5 speed auto - 2500rpm

However as previously mentioned the 5th gear is a little high in the auto - a 6th ratio would allow 4th and 5th closer for better highway acceleration.

3500rpm would be fine if it wasn't feeling like 3500rpm, but it does feel a bit fast in the engine speed for the manual. I'm surprised and disappointed the 6 speed hasn't done much to change this.

I wonder why Mazda choke this engine on the 5 - 157bhp and 163lbf - on the 3 it has 167bhp at 6000rpm and 168lbf at 4000rpm - on the 6 it has 170bhp.

Perfect engine? Mazda's 163bhp 2.2 turbo diesel from Europe - 251lb feet of torque at 1800rpm and 50mpg easily.

[5 Wheel Drive]

Perfect engine? Mazda's 163bhp 2.2 turbo diesel from Europe - 251lb feet of torque at 1800rpm and 50mpg easily.

A friend of mine rented a 5 last time he was in Germany, 2 years ago.  With 3 of them in the car, and 2 weeks worth of luggage, he confirmed that this engine with the manual tranny would do 200km/h on the Autobahn.  Too bad we don't get that engine here.

[Ice]

They sure are. My comment is directed to Wing's statement.

Mazda DOES NOT typically over estimates the power ratings anymore. This was an issue 5-7 years ago but I don’t think it is today, unless there is some info to back up the contrary.
I recall the RX-8 rating issue, but Mazda corrected the rating at a later time by dropping it to the SAE rating (starting 2007?)

I remember in 2006 to 2007 they dropped the 2.3L MZR HP rating. Not sure if the original value was because of something Mazda did or a re-rating by SAE. Don't remember.

The Mazda3 GT felt pretty good when I drove it... not as fast as my XRS in comparison (the cars are fairly close in some respects) but pretty good. Not as much torque was I was expecting but the highway power was good. I Suspect the 2.5L may have more torque but I've never test driven one of the newer Mazdas.

[libraman]

Not bad fuel efficiency numbers. Probably would be better in warmer temperatures and with broken in engine.

[dirtyjeffer]

Perfect engine? Mazda's 163bhp 2.2 turbo diesel from Europe - 251lb feet of torque at 1800rpm and 50mpg easily.

A friend of mine rented a 5 last time he was in Germany, 2 years ago.  With 3 of them in the car, and 2 weeks worth of luggage, he confirmed that this engine with the manual tranny would do 200km/h on the Autobahn.  Too bad we don't get that engine here.

those engines don't meet our more strict emissions standards...all engines sold here MUST meet Tier 2 Bin 5 standards...when it comes to diesels, they much be of the "Clean Diesel" design...it is possible that a vehicle of that potential weight may not meet the emission standards without using a Urea Injection system (like MB and BMW larger vehicles) which adds cost and complexity to the system vs non-Urea systems (VW Jetta & Golf)...this is also why the Tiguan is not offered with as a TDi here.

[zoom5zoom]

We've got a 2008 and have been very happy with it.  I much prefer the look of the current generation though,  why did they have to go and make it all bubbly and wavy?  

[tpl]

Perfect engine? Mazda's 163bhp 2.2 turbo diesel from Europe - 251lb feet of torque at 1800rpm and 50mpg easily.

A friend of mine rented a 5 last time he was in Germany, 2 years ago.  With 3 of them in the car, and 2 weeks worth of luggage, he confirmed that this engine with the manual tranny would do 200km/h on the Autobahn.  Too bad we don't get that engine here.

those engines don't meet our more strict emissions standards...all engines sold here MUST meet Tier 2 Bin 5 standards...when it comes to diesels, they much be of the "Clean Diesel" design...it is possible that a vehicle of that potential weight may not meet the emission standards without using a Urea Injection system (like MB and BMW larger vehicles) which adds cost and complexity to the system vs non-Urea systems (VW Jetta & Golf)...this is also why the Tiguan is not offered with as a TDi here.

The Government of Canada could change that in an instant by regulation and allow the Euro 4 emissions here for light duty  diesel vehicles.  I am hoping that if the Canada EU FTA comes to pass that something like that will happen.

[Spec5]

I hope you're right but I think the government is more worried about perception (especially if there's an election on the loom) and I would be willing to bet they'd be more worried about people seeing a green-light to "dirty diesel's" as a step back rather than a step forward.

[tpl]

That is  why I think that if it were to happen at all  it would be part of the  C EU FTA, quietly bundled in with stuff about cheese and wine labels.   Maybe if we were really lucky, slipped in with allowing EU spec vehicles in Canada as well as US spec.

[dirtyjeffer]

i have to admit, the new Ford C-Max looks pretty sweet...seems to be similar to the 5, plus a little more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQH6ewFoXgg&feature=player_embedded

[dkaz]

Mazdas won't win on straightaways... they'll win on curvy roads.

That said, I did a 0-60 in 8.1s in my 2007 Mazda 5 with the 5 speed manual, not too shabby if you ask me, but it has to be revved high. There's no go at the lower RPMs, and you have to stay under 3,000 RPM to save gas, but the power's not there until at least 3,500.