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It was just as special inside too. Though everything was jet-black and gloomy, it was purposeful with its driver-centered controls and impeccable driving position. It had everything the driver wanted: a 6-disc in-dash changer, leather seats, automatic climate control, power moon roof, and then some: vertically-rested dials, a reach and tilt adjustable steering wheel and a four-speed automatic with manual override. The wife too was happy with Mazda3’s large cubby holes, split-fold boot (for the groceries) and the gigantic glove box—big enough to fit her purse! The kids though felt a bit shortchanged at the back with Mazda3’s less than ample room. However, they did enjoy the supportive seats and individual headrests, perfect for long distance driving comfort. On the move, it showed the driver its new found muscle by out-squirting most other things on the road. Fast progress was assured thanks to the fairy godfather’s gift of a new heart: a 2.0-liter MZR inline-4. Though not exactly the most powerful one in its class, it was a good one—working seamlessly with the transmission providing smooth, steady progress even into triple-digit speed territory. There was virtually no shift shock as well—the gear indicator on the instrumentation cluster provided the only sign of up or down shifts. It wasn’t just about straight-line speed too. As the Kingdom was built with corners, Mazda3 took them well with finesse and little drama. It can tackle the most serious of bends with its communicative steering and direct-feeling suspension. For all intents and purposes, it made the driver recall another car with a ‘3’ on the badge. As it coursed through the mountain pass, the driver delighted at Mazda3’s ballerina-like movement. At the limit, it showed great control enabling some good power sliding maneuvers with no fear. It was pure joy. The fairy godfather’s transformation was complete with Mazda3’s well-rounded safety package. The driver felt that it had the best brakes with good pedal feel and even better modulation. It’s skeletal structure was stiffened and reinforced too, borrowing from the fairy godfather’s other magical creations, the Volvo S40. As the driver parked Mazda3 into the company lot, people stopped and starred at the thing of beauty. It surely wasn’t an understatement, this Mazda3. It was built and designed to be seen in, and to be enjoyed. It was, the driver thought, like coffee with tons of caffeine enough to wake a herd of sleeping lions. It was designed to make people change their attitude towards cars. Never again will it be an androgynous, characterless effort. It was designed to awaken the driver in all. ● |
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