The all-new Mazda3 has been developed to take the
outstanding ownership experience its predecessor helped define to new
levels of enjoyment, while fully embodying Mazda’s “Sustainable Zoom-
Zoom” strategy. The third vehicle in Mazda’s next-generation product
line-up (after Mazda2 and Mazda6), it is built to deliver four key
values:
- an expressive design with dynamic Mazda design aesthetics
- a sporty, balanced driving experience
- high quality feel
- high levels of environmental performance and safety
At first glance a Mazda3, but more expressive of what made the outgoing model something special, with a big portion of sportiness added in. The all-new Mazda3 is slightly longer and has a more aggressive road stance, particularly its Sports high grade version with a look all its own.
A new integrated front bumper design with a single front grille is adopted (the previous Mazda3 had separate upper and lower grille openings), framed by large openings at the corners that hint at the car’s sporty nature. Because the front grille is positioned lower, designers could extend the front of the bonnet further down towards the bumper. They then framed it in powerful front wheel wells for a strong-shouldered look reminiscent of Mazda’s sports icon, the RX-8 and applied across the line-up on the sports crossover CX-7, the new Mazda2 and the new Mazda6.
The new hatchback silhouette adds an aggressive note with a deeply etched character line at the side sills, a subtle rising belt line, a newly-designed C-pillar, flat roof line and rear roof spoiler. The sedan has a smoother silhouette with a high rear deck, a spoiler at the top of the boot opening and a rounder roofline that accentuates its compact, coupe-like dimensions and makes it look sophisticated and sporty.
Equipment
The all-new Mazda3 will be offered in four grades in Europe (Base, Touring, Touring+ and Sport - names according to market) with an extensive equipment list to meet the needs of just about every compact customer. Base grade has a standard package that includes features many carmakers call options in this segment: emergency stop signal (ESS), for instance, DSC and traction control; front, side and curtain airbags; active front head restraints, electric side mirrors, tilt + telescope steering wheel adjustment, CD player with MP3 capability and AUX jack for hooking up MP3 players – just to mention a few.
Depending on grade, Bluetooth® technology for hands-free telephoning and wireless MP3 music on the car’s audio system are featured. Also available is a bi-xenon pivoting adaptive front lighting system that illuminates the curve when you turn, a dual-zone airconditioning system for front passengers, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry and Push Button Start System – with a transmitter key that unlocks and lets you start the car with an ignition button – parking sensors, auto-dimming mirror, heated windshield (depending on market), and a rain and light sensor system.
New Headlamps and Rear LED Combination Lamps
The all-new Mazda3 has front and rear lamp designs that fit right in with the car’s sporty theme. The standard headlamp design is longer and more three dimensional, which emphasizes the cylindrical lamps inside the outer frames. A new orange coloured, boomerang-shaped flair is placed on the edge of the outer side for a touch of quality.
High grade sport models include Bi-xenon headlamps, which are mounted to the outside of the lamp assembly. This allowed designers to add a boomerang-shaped position lamp on the inside of the housing for a look befitting the top-range model.
The rear combination lamps differ according to body style. For the five-door hatch, the base model has a red inner lens, and high grade models have a clear lens for the LED lamp. The sedan has rear lamps that include a chrome-look fascia around the reverse and turn signal lamps for a more three-dimensional look. High grade sedans have a pair of LEDs placed side-by-side, with chrome reflectors shaped to enhance the lamp’s look of quality
New Sports Version – More than just Skin Deep
The new Mazda3 five-door hatchback forms the basis for an all-new Sports version (depending on market) that offers sporty-minded customers more than just a visual differentiation. It includes an exterior sports appearance package with a special front bumper with a dark metallic grille and a lower bumper, sport styled fog lamps, pivoting adaptive front lighting with Bi-xenon headlamps and unique boomerang shaped position lamps (optional), LED tail-lights, 17-inch aluminium alloys, a different rear bumper and, for right-hand drive markets, special side sills.
Best-in-Class Aerodynamics
The all-new Mazda3 is a paragon of aerodynamic efficiency. It had to be, since it’s the sportiest and most fuel-efficient Mazda3 to date. From the front grille, with a projected area of 2.217 m2, to the roof, to the underbody and the rear end – aerodynamic optimisation measures were applied to achieve one of the segment’s top drag coefficients (0.28 for the sedan and 0.30 for the hatchback). This contributes to driving stability and low wind noise at high speeds, and helps make the all-new Mazda3 very fuel-efficient.
The grille opening is kept small to concentrate wind pressure, lessen the intake of air and drag, while directing the rest smoothly over the front body. A new front bumper reinforcement flange is introduced to ensure smooth air flow here. A new cooling fan speed flap prevents the fan from causing drag at high speeds, while an air guide in the front bumper directs air straight to the radiator and cooling system where it’s needed. The front upper body corners direct air smoothly along the upper side body, and a special A-pillar design prevents air-flow separation and the turbulence associated with it.
At the back of the new Mazda3 are newly-designed rear lamps with shapes that reduce turbulence. To keep air flow smooth and turbulence at a minimum under the car, new round front tyre deflectors are introduced, new triangular floor covers are added at
the front corners, under the floor and at the rear bumper.
Interior Design
The interior design of the all-new Mazda3 is stylish and dynamic, with high levels of quality feel. It achieves a wrap-around feeling for the driver, and is designed to feel roomy and comfortable for up to four more passengers. Every interior detail embodies an optimal balance between aesthetics and functionality for a clean, uncluttered look. The quality feel of each part was improved, high quality materials used and interactive lighting introduced to create an interior that is great to be in and use on a daily basis.
