2ND GENERATION MAZDA AXELA MINOR CHANGE

The second-generation Mazda Axela was arrived since June 2009 and it help revolutionized the "idling stop" boom thanks to its "i-stop" feature that automatically shuts off its engine when stopped. This car was already exported worldwide as the all new Mazda 3 and the Philippines was the only country that didn't get it until next year. While we are mourning on our poor predicament, we are getting mow down with the introduction of the minor change of the second-generation Mazda Axela and if that wasn't enough, the minor change will see its arrival of the 20-SKYACTIV variant, the second Mazda to be equipped with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY since the Mazda Demio/2.

2012 Mazda Axela

On its latest minor change, the Mazda Axela gained a new, engaging, efficient exterior that provides well-round sportiness and it offers in two body styles such as the 4-door sedan and the 5-door Sport hatchback. The refined design is made to be more appealing to the crowd and the improved aerodynamics provides a deduction to its carbon emission. This is how the true beauty of the new Axela outshines the crowd.

2012 Mazda Axela interior

The interior of the Mazda Axela minor change gains some minor cosmetic changes such as a silver-colored, satin-polished details, silver-on-black color scheme, color adjustments at the Multi Information Display (MID) and liquid crystal display (LCD), and sporty twin-meter design of the instrument cluster highlighted with new, continuous-lit white graphic meters for vibrant clarity. To add some convenience, the Mazda Axela comes with BOSE Surround Sound System for the best sound experience like no other.

MAZDA AXELA 20-SKYACTIV

The PE-VPS engine on the 2012 Mazda Axela SKYACTIV

2012 Mazda Axela SKYACTIV's i-DM

Marked as the 2nd Mazda to be equipped with SKYACTIV Technology, the Mazda Axela 20-SKYACTIV comes with the new PE-VPS (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC 16-Valve SKYACTIV-G) direct injection engine that provides the best compression ratio, 4-2-1 exhaust system for the excellent knock-resistant technology, and combustion improvement. If the PE-VPS engine wasn't enough, a new SKYACTIV-DRIVE was equipped and this one has all the advantages of a conventional step CVT, Dual Clutch, and Step Automatic Transmission. The new SKYACTIV-DRIVE is the ultimate automatic transmission developed exclusively to the Mazda Axela SKYACTIV variants, which provides good fuel economy at both low and high speeds, easy start up (Launch feel), easy start up on hill (Creep), direct feel, and smooth shifting (Shifting Quality). This new transmission is "ideal for global market" like a region-free Playstation 3 if you know what I mean. With this region-free SKYACTIV-DRIVE, the fuel economy of the Mazda Axela SKYACTIV is good for 20.0km/L based on Japan's 10-15 mode scale and 17.6km/L based on Japan's JC08 mode scale. This has bound to be the best SKYACTIV-powered model ever made and it also comes with the exclusive i-DM (intelligent Drive Master) which provides real time information and some advices before you get off the Axela SKYACTIV.

2012 Mazda Axela

Despite this, they still offer the conventional MZR 1.5L DOHC engine that comes with [CVT+7-speed Manual Mode] that provides 18.4km/L of fuel economy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode scale.

2012 Mazda Axela

The Mazda Axela understands that safety is its top priority and it comes with a host of safety features such as Adaptive Front Lighting System, Bi-Xenon Headlamps, Rear Vehicle Monitoring System that detects incoming vehicles from behind, Emergency Signal System, Dynamic Stability Control, anti-lock braking system with Electronic Braking Distribution, MAGMA (Mazda Geometric Motion Absorption) body, and SRS airbags.

2012 Mazda Axela

The Mazda Axela sedan and Sport comes with seven unique color variations such as Sky Blue Mica, Graphite Mica, Indigo Light Mica, Velocity Red Mica, Black Mica, Aluminum Metallic, and Crystal White Pearl Mica.

My Comment:
The arrival of the second-generation Mazda Axela's minor change and with the addition of the new Mazda Axela SKYACTIV really have Philippine Mazda fans begging to FGP-Mazda to bring the all new model soon and yes, we can't take it too long before the all new Mazda Axela/3 to come to the Philippines at the first half of next year. Couldn't come closer...

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation