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:
The Drive
The Mazda5's 2.3-liter four-cylinder has to rev pretty high to get the car
moving quickly. Our car had the optional five-speed automatic transmission,
which adds $1,440. The five-speed manual migh ...
Dynamics Performance
The new Mazda Tribute features a range of powertrain and chassis improvements
that enhance the vehicle's already high levels of driving enjoyment. These
include a new and powerful 2.3-litre MZR pe ...
Under the Hood
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Mazda3 i has variable valve timing and
develops 148 horsepower (144 hp in PZEV form). The Mazda3 s uses a 2.3-liter
four-cylinder that pumps out 156 hp. A five-s ...