Mazda3 gets stop-start savings

Jul 1 2009 Steve Hughes

MAZDA has added stop-start technology to the Mazda3 range with the aim of achieving the best of both worlds.

The energy-saving system is added to the 2.0-litre Sport models, which the company says can deliver a combination of 130mph performance and CO2 reductions of up to 20 per cent.

Economy is said to improve by as much as 16 per cent, although that is only in urban conditions when the engine automatically cuts out to save fuel in stop-start traffic.

As soon as the driver presses the clutch again the engine is automatically started and running before the first gear is engaged.

It is in this situation that the savings in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are achieved although in normal driving there is no difference.

The car uses a standard 150bhp petrol engine and the stop-start version is available in saloon and hatchback guises with prices from just over £18,000.

The car Mazda3 2.0 Sport accelerates from rest to 60mph in 10.4 seconds and has an official average economy figure of 41.5mpg and a CO2 rating of 159g/km.