UK: Mazda3 Tamura Introduced

Mazda UK has announced the introduction of the Mazda3 1.6 Tamura special edition, which will be available from February 1, 2010.

The edition is based on the TS model and is enhanced by a sports styling kit, consisting of sports front grille, side skirts and sport bumpers), front fog lamps, bespoke badging and free metallic paint. The exterior color range offers a new metallic paint (Aluminum Silver Metallic) two regular Mica colors (Black Mica and Velocity Red Mica), and the unique-to-Tamura Gunmetal Blue Mica paint, offered on just 255 examples of the 850 Mazda3 Tamura models being manufactured for the UK market. The car rides on 17-inch alloy rims equipped with low-profile 205/50 R17 tires.

The 1.6 liter engine offers 105 HP and is matted to a basic five-speed manual gearbox. This gives the Tamura an 0-62 mph time of 12.2 seconds and a top speed of 114 mph. However the previous generation’s 1.6 liter engine had an C02 output of 162 g/km, which has now been brought down to 149 g/km. The fuel economy figure for this layout is 44.8 mpg (UK mpg).

Other features which come in standard on the Tamura include: remote central locking, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, welcome mode lighting, a leather steering wheel with audio controls, an MP3 compatible audio system with six speakers and auxiliary jack input, as well as power folding mirrors and electric front and rear windows.

The Tamura protects its passengers through a set of standard safety features which include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS), six airbags and an Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS) System.

The car can be yours from an on-the-road price of 14,995 pounds. Mazda is offering special financing schemes for all Mazda3 customers, including the Tamura. For example, all the models can be included in the Government scrappage scheme, shedding 1,000 pounds of the initial price - Mazda offers a additional 2,000 pound discount for this bringing the final price down to 11,995 pounds.

We'll stick to the turbocharged 263HP hot, mad version, aka Mazda3 MPS or Mazdaspeed 3.