The all-new 2014 Mazda 3 is very, very good.
Despite some serious growing pains that left elements of the car compromised, it remained among the best cars available in the segment. But now, free of the shackles of parent companies, Mazda finally engineered the Mazda 3 its way.
Drives Like a Mazda
We want to say we waited a few days, or hours, to come to this conclusion. That after driving the 2014 Mazda 3 we sat in front of a fire and contemplated the meaning of life and where, in this grand scheme, a new C-segment hatchback really fits. We didn't. Like a well-hit ball that sails off the bat into the wild blue yonder, we knew this one was good during the very first turn on Angeles Crest Highway.
2014 Mazda 3
By now, saying a Mazda has good steering response is like saying Gisele Bündchen is kind of pretty, but we're going to do it anyway. And even though it now comes with electric-assist power steering, the 2014 Mazda 3 doesn't disappoint.
"Electric power steering is very flexible," says Mazda Development Engineer Dave Coleman. "You can do anything with it. Basically, you give engineers enough rope to hang themselves." Previously, Mazda benchmarked BMW for the steering response in its compact hatch. It didn't do that this time. Nothing outside of the company met the development team's expectations, so they went internal and looked at the venerable Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Not only was the effort tuned to match the curve of a Miata's power steering, but the front suspension's caster angle was increased to 6.5 degrees — the same as the rear-drive Miata and RX-8. The result is a compact hatchback that turns in brilliantly, holds a line and returns sufficient weight and feedback. Again, this isn't a surprise.
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15 Temmuz 2013 Pazartesi
2014 Mazda 3
There's no Hippocratic Oath for automotive journalists. There's no creed, code or promise we swear to, right hand steadied on a weathered copy of Strunk and White's Elements of Style. But if there were, somewhere between "I will tell the truth" and "I will not play favorites" should be, "I will not bury the lead." And so, without further ado, here it is:
The all-new 2014 Mazda 3 is very, very good.
Despite some serious growing pains that left elements of the car compromised, it remained among the best cars available in the segment. But now, free of the shackles of parent companies, Mazda finally engineered the Mazda 3 its way.
Drives Like a Mazda
We want to say we waited a few days, or hours, to come to this conclusion. That after driving the 2014 Mazda 3 we sat in front of a fire and contemplated the meaning of life and where, in this grand scheme, a new C-segment hatchback really fits. We didn't. Like a well-hit ball that sails off the bat into the wild blue yonder, we knew this one was good during the very first turn on Angeles Crest Highway.
2014 Mazda 3
By now, saying a Mazda has good steering response is like saying Gisele Bündchen is kind of pretty, but we're going to do it anyway. And even though it now comes with electric-assist power steering, the 2014 Mazda 3 doesn't disappoint.
"Electric power steering is very flexible," says Mazda Development Engineer Dave Coleman. "You can do anything with it. Basically, you give engineers enough rope to hang themselves." Previously, Mazda benchmarked BMW for the steering response in its compact hatch. It didn't do that this time. Nothing outside of the company met the development team's expectations, so they went internal and looked at the venerable Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Not only was the effort tuned to match the curve of a Miata's power steering, but the front suspension's caster angle was increased to 6.5 degrees — the same as the rear-drive Miata and RX-8. The result is a compact hatchback that turns in brilliantly, holds a line and returns sufficient weight and feedback. Again, this isn't a surprise.
y8
The all-new 2014 Mazda 3 is very, very good.
Despite some serious growing pains that left elements of the car compromised, it remained among the best cars available in the segment. But now, free of the shackles of parent companies, Mazda finally engineered the Mazda 3 its way.
Drives Like a Mazda
We want to say we waited a few days, or hours, to come to this conclusion. That after driving the 2014 Mazda 3 we sat in front of a fire and contemplated the meaning of life and where, in this grand scheme, a new C-segment hatchback really fits. We didn't. Like a well-hit ball that sails off the bat into the wild blue yonder, we knew this one was good during the very first turn on Angeles Crest Highway.
2014 Mazda 3
By now, saying a Mazda has good steering response is like saying Gisele Bündchen is kind of pretty, but we're going to do it anyway. And even though it now comes with electric-assist power steering, the 2014 Mazda 3 doesn't disappoint.
"Electric power steering is very flexible," says Mazda Development Engineer Dave Coleman. "You can do anything with it. Basically, you give engineers enough rope to hang themselves." Previously, Mazda benchmarked BMW for the steering response in its compact hatch. It didn't do that this time. Nothing outside of the company met the development team's expectations, so they went internal and looked at the venerable Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Not only was the effort tuned to match the curve of a Miata's power steering, but the front suspension's caster angle was increased to 6.5 degrees — the same as the rear-drive Miata and RX-8. The result is a compact hatchback that turns in brilliantly, holds a line and returns sufficient weight and feedback. Again, this isn't a surprise.
y8
2014 Porsche Panamera 4S Executive
Somewhere along the seam where Bavaria licks Austria, the snow-capped Wetterstein mountain range peels past our window at 75 miles per hour. Dotted with farmhouses, goats and free-roaming cattle, it's like something from a fairytale.
But then a distraction pulls our attention back to the instrument panel of the 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S Executive we're riding in. With a quick flash, the rightmost binnacle has stopped displaying navigation hints and instead shows a gray circle with black stripes extending from the 8 o'clock to 2 o'clock position.
On the Autobahn, this means no speed limit. Our driver takes this prompt as a challenge, drops the hammer and as we pass 150 mph the new Panamera's twin-turbo V6 breathes new life into this previously peaceful setting.
Did You Get Work Done?
Look carefully at the above photos of the 2014 Porsche Panamera. Now look again. Notice anything different? Yes? Congratulations! You obviously work for Porsche. Without decoding the VIN or pulling out the tape measure, you wouldn't know that this car has undergone a full refresh.
The front fascia has been tweaked with new, wider intakes and longer, thinner foglights. Out back, the rear window is wider as is the rear spoiler and the license plate bracket has been moved lower. And while the headlights have also been redesigned, it's only noticeable if the vehicle is equipped with the slick optional $2,130 LED headlight kit.
Visually, the biggest difference comes in the form of the 2014 Porsche Panamera Executive models. Offered on the 4S and the Turbo, the Executive package stuffs an extra 5.9 inches of Porsche behind the B-pillar for a slightly shocking $27,300 ($19,800 on the Turbo). The lengthened rear door that offers unfettered access contains a window large enough to front a viewing tank at the aquarium. This model stands out even without reading "Executive" on the doorsill.
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Visually, the biggest difference comes in the form of the 2014 Porsche Panamera Executive models. Offered on the 4S and the Turbo, the Executive package stuffs an extra 5.9 inches of Porsche behind the B-pillar for a slightly shocking $27,300 ($19,800 on the Turbo). The lengthened rear door that offers unfettered access contains a window large enough to front a viewing tank at the aquarium. This model stands out even without reading "Executive" on the doorsill.
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