Updated! : ALL-NEW MAZDA3

2013 MAZDA3 Hatchback

Mazda took the unconventional KODO design and SKYACTIV Technology, and uncompromisingly adapted it for the fiercely contested C segment. The result is a new Mazda3 whose captivating exterior conceals a cabin completely redesigned for enjoyable, stress-free travel – online connectivity included. What isn’t new is the reliability and driving fun that has made this award magnet Mazda’s all-time bestseller. Sedan or hatchback, it’s a car that interacts on several levels, exceeding expectations at every turn. The new Mazda3 is going to grow on you.
    

Now with the complete line-up of SKYACTIV Technology matched to its stunning “KODO – Soul of Motion” design, the latest generation of Mazda’s all-time bestseller is destined to surpass expectations.

■ Remarkably economical and safe despite its outstanding performance: Sustainable Zoom- Zoom at its best yet.

■ Reflects more than ever Jinba Ittai driving, Mazda’s rider-and-horse-as-one feeling.

■ The first Mazda to bring occupants online, safely and non-stop, with its new in-vehicle connectivity system coupled with a new and improved human-machine interface (HMI).

■ For a superior ownership experience in the C segment, which represents some 25 per cent of the European passenger car market.

■ Scheduled for launch in Europe in fall 2013.

2013 MAZDA3 Sedan

Exterior design

An uncompromisingly alluring KODO look for an uncompromisin­gly competitive market segment, evolving the boldness of Mazda’s new-generation design theme to the brimming vitality of its sporty compact hatchback and sedan variants.

■ Features the lower, wider KODO stance and rear-leaning cabin with boldly flared fenders and a raked profile rising towards the rear.

■ Longer wheelbase with smaller front and rear overhangs hints at perfor­mance, also improving road stability and safety while creating more space for the engine as well as occupants.

■ Advanced craftsmanship for a new level of build quality with e.g. the minimum gaps possible between body panels and doors that open in a surprisingly natu­ral motion.

■ The KODO face with its contoured sig­nature wing grille flows into the solid, powerful character lines along the side of the body in an expression of energetic tension.

■ Sleek new headlamps project the “glaring” presence of a predator with a cleanly-structured lighting signature featuring a light-guiding ring, LEDs and inner lenses.

■ Nine body colours including Soul Red Metallic and two all-new tones: Titani­um Flash and Deep Crystal Blue, respectively inspired by emotion, sophistication and speed.

■ Available with 16- and 18-inch wheels.

Interior design & comfort

The new Mazda3 marks the debut of Mazda’s all-new interior, which is based on two contrasting cabin zones – a snug, purpose-oriented cockpit and a relaxed passenger atmosphere – separate but con­nected by the asymmetrical cen­tre console and centre stack.

■ Ergonomically centre-focused driver’s space designed to enable an effortless focus on the road with all key driving-related controls positioned to allow relaxed operation and minimise driver fatigue, such as:

- the Active Driving Display, one of the first in the C segment with a head-up display

- symmetrically-positioned pedals

- a lower steering wheel

- increased driver’s seat adjustment possibilities

■ Rear-leaning cabin with A-pillars moved 100mm to the rear improves forward visibility and the overall field of view.

■ Larger, more comfortable interior than previously in most ways, including best-in-class shoulder room.

■ Natural seating position, superb hold and stiffer vibration-suppressing seat­backs for hours on end of superior comfort.

■ Emotionally stylish interior finishing featuring a refined black keynote colour with sophisticated contrasts for a coherent look of quality.

■ Upholstery comes in a choice of black leather (with red stitching),either alone or in combination with off-white leather (white, grey and red stitching); or fabric in black.

■ More cargo capacity than the current hatchback; sedan can now hold three large suitcases thanks to new hinges and a 100mm-wider boot opening.

■ Cabin storage designed for maximum convenience and access with minimal or no eye movement.

Connectivity & equipment

The people-oriented cabin of the new Mazda3 features an impres­sive selection of state-of-the-art information, entertainment and connectivity systems, designed for convenient and above all safe operation.

■ Cabin split into two segments – a safe-driving zone and an infotainment zone with an innovative new human-machine interface (HMI) designed for extremely safe and user-friendly interactivity:

- all driving-related controls and information set up to facilitate quick, precise reactions with no wasted movements or energy

- Active Driving Display shows the most important real-time driving data directly in the driver’s forward field of view; all other driving information appears in the newly designed instru­ment cluster*

- 7-inch WVGA touchscreen display located above the centre stack for communications and entertainment-related info

- rotary commander on the cen­tre console redesigned for trouble-free blind operation of infotainment functions; certain features can also be accessed via voice command

■ Mazda introduces a brand-new in-vehicle connectivity concept on the new Mazda3:

- works with user’s smartphone, build­ing on existing Bluetooth®, email, SMS and navigation features

- safely brings a range of free mobile content into the car via the cloud platform-based Aha^TM service, with more than 30,000 stations including radio, podcasts, audio books, person­alised location-based services and Facebook and Twitter audio feeds

›› supports owners with Mazda’s own vehicle apps, such as Eco-display, maintenance reminders and warnings

■ Other infotainment features include:

- BOSE® 9-speaker premium sound system* designed exclusively for the new Mazda3, featuring BOSE® Centerpoint® 2 surround sound technology

- SMS, MMS and email display and read­out functions in combination with a connected smartphone

- new navigation system offering more accurate route calculations, added destination search features, three years of free updates and support for up to 18 audio and 26 text languages

■ Highly effective climate control system modified to use less energy, thereby saving fuel.

■ Comprehensive parking assist system combining audio warning signal and front and rear warning zones with a visual display.

Powertrains

The new Mazda3 is available with a range of advanced SKYACTIV powertrains, including a choice of naturally-aspirated petrol engines and turbodiesels coupled with automatic or manual transmissions. All feature SKYACTIV’s lightweight design and come standard with i-stop, Mazda’s advanced idle-stop system. The SKYACTIV-G is also available with the company’s i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system.

SKYACTIV-G direct injection petrol engines feature:

■ a 14:1 compression ratio (world’s highest in a mass-production model*)

■ a specially designed 4-2-1 exhaust sys­tem and enhanced fuel spray proper­ties, among other things, to counter the drawbacks to high compression

■ three powerplants available

The exceptionally frugal SKYACTIV-G 1.5:

Output:

■ 74kW / 100PS at 6,000rpm & 150Nm at 4,000rpm

Fuel consumption (combined) & CO₂ emissions**:

■ with six-speed manual: 5.0l/100 km & 118g/km

Emissions class: Euro 5

Standard and high-power versions of the SKYACTIV-G 2.0:

Output:

■ Standard power: 88kW / 120PS at 6,000rpm & 210Nm at 4,000rpm

■ High power: 121kW / 165PS at 6,000rpm & 210Nm at 4,000rpm

Fuel consumption (combined) & CO₂ emissions**:

Standard power

■ with six-speed manual: 5.1l/100 km & 119g/km

■ with six-speed automatic: 5.6l/100 km & 128g/km

Emissions class: Euro 5

High power (hatchback only)

■ with six-speed manual and i-ELOOP: 5.8l /100 km & 135g/km

Emissions class: Euro 5

The SKYACTIV-D 2.2 common-rail diesel features:

■ a 14:1 compression ratio (world’s lowest*)

■ a variable twin turbocharger

■ a balance shaft to offset vibrations

Output:

■ 110kW / 150PS at 4,500rpm & 380Nm at 1,800rpm

Fuel consumption (combined) & CO₂ emissions**:

■ with six-speed manual: 3.9l/100 km & 104g/km

■ with six-speed automatic (hatchback only): 4.8l/100 km & 127g/km

Emissions class: Euro 6

SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission features:

■ full-range direct drive including a full-range lock-up clutch

■ a transmission computer linked with engine for quicker and smoother shifts

■ a kickdown switch to help the driver prevent unwanted downshifts

SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission delivers:

■ the light, crisp shifting of the Mazda MX-5 roadster

■ more efficient packaging

■ better fuel economy than ever

Both SKYACTIV transmissions are available in standard (up to 270Nm) and large versions (up to 460Nm).

CHASSIS & BODY

Adapted for the C segment, the SKYACTIV-Chassis and SKYACTIV-Body offer a unique combination of aerodynamics, safety and NVH on the new Mazda3 that are more pronounced than ever. The up­shot: superior linear handling and precise control along with refined ride comfort, a remarkably quiet interior and better fuel economy.

SKYACTIV-Chassis

■ Responds more faithfully than ever to driver input:

- neutral, accurate steering through curves with smooth, predictable pitch and roll

- harmonious linear response minimises the need for steering correction

■ Perfectly balanced suspension boosts comfort, agility and high-speed stability:

- lighter yet stiffer, with suspension geometry and dampers enhanced to better absorb influences from the road, but without detracting from handling

■ Electric power assisted steering system reworked to improve efficiency:

- lower gear ratio increases agility, requiring less driver effort

- smaller, lighter and more energy efficient system

■ Brake control and responsiveness in­creased by retuning the booster, reducing pedal play and using smaller cylinders:

- particularly effective on wet roads together with new high-grip tires

- stopping distances among the best in the class

- also helps save fuel

SKYACTIV-Body

■ Lighter yet stronger than the current model:

- high and ultra-high tensile steels now make up 60 per cent of the body (up from half)

- body rigidity increased by 31 per cent (hatchback) and 28 per cent (sedan)

■ Among the best aerodynamics on the market, with fuel economy and stability enhancing c_d values of 0.258 (sedan) and 0.275 (hatchback), achieved among other things by:

- adding an active air shutter*, which keeps the lower front grille closed whenever possible

- streamlining air flow underneath the vehicle with new underbody covers and tire deflectors

- using special turbulence-suppressing spoilers

■ Body structure effectively absorbs and disperses impact energy away from the cabin using a multi-load path concept with straight, continuous structures, delivering excellent crash safety

■ One of the quietest interiors in its class owing to:

- new lightweight sound-absorbing materials that block noise paths into the cabin

- vibration and noise-stifling improve­ments like stiffer powertrains, softer dampers and improved engine intake and exhaust systems

SAFETY

To protect occupants and pedestrians alike, Mazda has equipped the all-new Mazda3 with an enviable array of cutting-edge active safety technology as well as compre­hensive passive safety inno­vations. As a result, the com­pany expects top ratings from Euro NCAP and its traffic safety authority counterparts around the globe.

Active safety

■ Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) keeps track of preceding vehicles at 15- 200km/h, issuing a warning sound and visual alert should the new Mazda3 get too close.

■ Smart Brake Support (SBS) pre-fills the brakes should FOW issue a warning, and then braking automatically if the system detects an imminent rear-end impact.

■ Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) is Mazda’s low-speed autonomous emer­gency braking system, complementing SBS at speeds of 4-30 km/h, particularly during city driving.

■ Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) adjusts the throttle and applies brake pressure to maintain a safe distance from preceding vehicles at speeds up to 200 km/h.

■ Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) warns of vehicles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes and the blind spots.

■ Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) monitors lane markings at 65km/h and up, alerting the driver of unintended lane changes.

■ Distance Recognition Support Sys­tem (DRSS) calculates and displays the proximity and catch-up time to pre­ceding vehicles at 30-200km/h.

■ Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) rapidly blinks the four-way hazard lights to warn ensuing motorists of heavy braking from 50km/h and up.

■ High Beam Control (HBC) automatically changes between high and low beams to avoid impairing other motorists.

■ Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) turns the headlamps to follow curves.

■ Hill Launch Assist (HLA) brakes to prevent unwanted rolling during hill starts.

■ Standard ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and brake assist (EBA), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and TCS (Traction Control System).

Passive safety

■ With stronger materials, straight, continuous members and reinforced joints, the highly-rigid yet lightweight SKYACTIV-Body is more secure on all sides.

■ Larger front-end crumple zones help absorb energy, channelling it around and away from the cabin along multi-load paths.

■ Side sills bolstered to help prevent a front wheel encroaching into the cabin during a small overlap frontal impact.

■ A solid uninterrupted cage structure for the cabin controls the flow of energy for excellent side impact protection.

■ Enhanced rear frame set-up with a rein­forced bumper better absorbs impacts.

■ Trim and other interior components redesigned to reduce occupant injury potential.

■ Improved front seat cushion frame, seatback structure and headrests.

■ Rear seat components reinforced to stop luggage intrusion into the cabin.

■ Standard front, side and curtain airbags along with front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters.

■ A bonnet and front bumper designed to better protect the head and legs of pedestrians.

Images : 2013 MAZDA3 Hatchback / Sedan


[Source : MAZDA]