On display in Geneva is the all-new Mazda3 sedan and two new engines ?????????????????????????????????????? a 1.6-litre common-rail turbo diesel and a frugal and lively 1.4-litre MZR in-line four-cylinder petrol. Sleek and sophisticated, the Mazda3 sedan delivers new-generation dynamic performance, a large and flexible interior and one of the segment's best safety packages, breathing new wind into the European C-segment.
With the launch of the new Mazda3 sedan, the line up is truly enhanced by a refined and sophisticated four-door body style that sacrifices nothing by way of new-generation sportiness. It's unique combination of elegance and sportiness clearly make it different from the hatchback and, more importantly, clearly sets it apart from other modern compact sedans, both by the way it looks and by its high levels of build quality.
But the Mazda3 sedan is not just a great car to look at. It also features a large interior that is aesthetically pleasing to be in on a daily basis. It is also easy to use, with levels of functionality that exceed what customers have come to expect in a compact car. The front is designed around the driver. Both seats are comfortably upholstered and give excellent side support. The driver seat features seatback tilt, horizontal and vertical adjustment; and the steering wheel height and telescope adjustment. These features, combined with a raised hip point for a good view of the road, and drivers of just about every size can find the right position behind the wheel.
The driver instrument cluster features three overlapping meters with aluminium look edging that are placed to be easy to read at a glance. The dashboard console is of modular design with all dials and buttons easy to read and reach, while the shift lever is placed in its natural position for fatigue-free shifting, even on longer trips. This attention to detail helps to focus the car onto the driver, and results in comfort and confidence behind the wheel, and excellent control of the vehicle.
For storage, there are deep door pockets front and back, one of the segment's biggest glove boxes with 11-litre capacity, and a large double-bottom centre console with two cup holders. Mazda3 sedan's front seatbacks are designed to give even tall people plenty of rear knee clearance and there is an additional storage pocket on the back of the front passenger seat. Behind the rear passengers is a large 413 litre luggage compartment that, when the rear seats are folded 60/40, can be expanded to 675 litres (VDA) of cargo space if need be. These features contribute to make new Mazda3 sedan just as pleasing on the inside as it is on the outside, with an interior that is functional, fun to be in and large enough for five people to travel in comfort and style.
Two New Engines
Two new engines enhance the line up with the launch of the new Mazda3 sedan ?????????????????????????????????????? an MZ-CD 1.6-litre 80 kW/109 PS DOHC 16-valve common-rail turbo diesel with 240 Nm of torque at only 1750 rpm, and an MZR 1.4-litre 62 kW/84 PS base engine for the Mazda3 hatchback.
The new MZ-CD common-rail diesel gives European customers a superior combination agility, power, low fuel consumption (5.0 litres per 100 km, combined, for both body styles) and operating refinement similar to a petrol. The new Mazda3 line up will also offer a Euro Stage IV version of the same engine for selected markets in summer this year. This engine features a diesel particulate filter system that emits less that 0.01 g/km of particulate matter.
Also new to the Mazda3's petrol line up is an MZR 1.4-litre 62 kW/84 PS base engine for the Mazda3 hatchback that delivers the same spirited driving experience that the entire MZR engine family does, but in a version that is low cost to own and operate. While producing just 169 g/km of CO2 and a Euro Stage IV emission ranking, the MZR uses just 7.1 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined), and is agile and responsive with a top speed of 169 km/h. Both Mazda3 engines are mated to a low friction five-speed manual transmission.
Chassis - Zoom-Zoom Handling
New-generation handling characteristics were a major contributor to the Mazda3 tying Golf for second in this year's European Car of the Year award. And, of course, the new Mazda3 sedan has the same chassis systems as its dynamic five-door brother. Both are mounted to a rigid body structure that resists flexural and torsional bending. In the front is a MacPherson strut-type suspension and in the back a multi-link rear suspension based on the Mazda6. This combination is designed and tuned to provide both handling
stability and ride comfort. Two steering systems ?????????????????????????????????????? an electro-hydraulic power-assisted (EHPAS) system standard for the MZR 2.0-litre petrol and the MZ-CD diesel, and hydraulic power-assist for all other engines ?????????????????????????????????????? deliver optimal road feedback and precise steering control, while robust disc brakes at every wheel provide excellent braking performance. With these chassis systems, Mazda3 delivers the ideal combination of driving enjoyment and control that epitomizes Zoom-Zoom.
Safety - Protection and Control
The new Mazda3 sedan delivers high levels of passenger protection and vehicle control. This begins by ensuring stable, predictable handling, and by focusing the entire car onto the driver for superior control of the vehicle under normal driving conditions. These attributes allow the Mazda3 driver to react quickly enough, in many situations, to avoid collision if an emergency situation arises. At his or her disposal is a robust brake system, with large discs at every wheel for enhanced brake effectiveness and response. Four-wheel ABS with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and mechanical brake assist come standard, and dynamic stability control (DSC) is available as an option. These work together to stop the new Mazda3 sedan and hatchback from 100 km/h in just 37 meters.
If the driver is not able to avoid a collision, Mazda3's passive safety systems provide excellent protection to all passengers. This begins with a stiff body structure that delivers a strong passenger cell designed to not only to resist deformation, but also to disperse impact energy throughout the body, regardless of direction of impact. Inside are dual-stage front airbags, side airbags and optional curtain airbags. Further protection is provided by front seatbelts with pretensioners and load-limiters and headrests on all seats. For the driver there is a collapsible steering column and brake pedal, and for enhanced child safety ISOFIX child seat anchors with top tethers at the outer rear seats. Internal safety analyses predict at least a 4-Star Euro NCAP ranking for both body styles.
Source: Text & photos courtesy Mazda Motor Corporation
