Mazda 3, 2010
The Exterior design - expressive and emotional styling
A distinctive new front fascia is formed by the 5-point grille and openings at the front corners. These design cues combine with the sculpted shape of the hood and the bold, expressive lines that connect the hood to the front pillars. All the lines seem to flow into the center just below the 5-point grille, which creates a stronger expression of power and dynamism. From the side, the front fender line smoothly morphs into the beltline, clearly identifying the vehicle as a Mazda and communicating dynamism. The line of the side sill curves up and seems to connect with the rear spoiler to emphasize the vehicle's compact size and express its agility. In order to make the surface more expressive, Mazda designers slightly elaborated the depth of the hood edge, front fenders and the three-dimensional shape of the protruding body sides, carefully crafting curves that subtly reflect changes in natural light.
The rear view boasts a sporty design with wide stance. The strongest features are the protruding shoulders and emphasized center-focus design. This concept was carried over from the first generation Mazda 3 and made bolder to represent expressiveness. All the lines of the rear view are designed to concentrate on the brand symbol in the center. The impressive C-pillar design was also inherited from the first-generation Mazda 3 and made more prominent. This was made possible by Mazda's expertise in stamping technology.
The Interior design : sophisticated, sporty, and high quality
The inside of Mazda 3 is a sporty yet highly refined cabin. The dashboard sweeps out from the center toward both sides with dynamic flair as though it is flexing powerful muscles. The large center display and controls are laid out around the driver to deliver just the right feeling of snugness. The angle of the center panel was adjusted after careful analysis of the driver's hand movement, producing a more stylish and dynamic design. A soft, wood grained surface with minimized parting lines on the top of the dashboard enhances the interior quality. The new interactive lighting control enhances the driver's connection with the vehicle.
The Powertrains for all driving experiences
The powertrains combine Mazda's typical Zoom-Zoom driving experience with excellent environmental performance to provide exhilarating driving. They transmit just the right amount of G force that perfectly matches the vehicle's actual acceleration. This provides the driver with a more refined experience of oneness with the car. The new engine line up has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, carried over from the all-new Mazda 6, in addition to the MZR-1.6-litre and 2.0-litre gasoline engines and the MZ-CD 1.6-litre turbo diesel. It is a high-performance clean diesel engine with top class output, fuel economy and quietness. The MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine will be offered in two variants: a high power version with a maximum torque of 400 Nm/1,800-3,000 rpm and a maximum output of 136 kW (185 PS)/3500 rpm, and a standard power version with a maximum torque of 360 Nm/1,800-2,600 rpm and a maximum output of 110 kW (150 PS)/3500 rpm. Both versions have outstanding clean emissions performance, comply with the Euro Stage 5 regulations and feature a Mazda developed unique Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) technology for more efficient regeneration. Fuel economy is also greatly improved by 7 to 10 percent compared to the MZR-CD 2.0-litre engine equipped in the existing model, attaining 5.4 l/100 km for the standard power version and 5.6 l/100 km for the high power version.
The MZR 2.0-litre petrol engine underfloor catalyst is the world's first vehicle catalyst to be constructed with single nanotechnology, which controls even finer materials structures than nanotechnology. It is used to embed individual particles of precious metals, which are less than 5 nanometers in diameter, into the catalyst base material. This new development enables Mazda to reduce the amount of expensive precious metals such as platinum and palladium by 70 to 90 percent without impairing catalyst performance. The catalyst is an important part of Mazda's efforts to reduce reliance on limited resources.
Power steering, suspension and brake systems
To deliver just the right balance between fuel economy, light steering-wheel operation and a feeling of stability, all configurations of the all-new Madza3 are equipped with the Electro-Hydraulic Power Assist Steering system (EHPAS) that has earned high acclaim on the first generation Mazda 3. The suspension is based on the first generation Mazda 3 system, and has been enhanced to ensure even nimbler response to steering wheel operation, and also to improve roll control and maintain a flatter ride by strengthening the suspension damping. In the brake system, the vacuum booster has been tuned and the feeling of initial brake application has been optimized. The overall result is outstanding response and reassuring linearity under all braking conditions.
The Highly rigid body
The basic development concept for the body shell of the all-new Mazda 3 was to improve the overall balance of the body's rigidity and ensure it firmly absorbs the reaction force of the dampers. To this end, particular attention went to reinforcing the area around the front and rear suspension mounts and the joint sections in each corner, which are subject to greater stress. Structural adhesive was used to strengthen the joints for the front and rear suspension towers, and spot welding was added to reinforce the joints of the door openings. The result is a substantial improvement in rigidity and body hysteresis (the degree of car body deformation due to repeated applications of torsional load).
Class-leading aerodynamics
The drag coefficient for the European specification 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan are respectively 0.30 and 0.28, amongst of the bests in the segment. These measures helped the engineers attain top-class levels for wind noise reduction, high speed stability and fuel economy.
Cabin environment - sense of oneness between car and driver
Aboard the all-new Mazda 3 is a new Human Machine Interface that contributes to the sense of oneness between the car and driver. The cabin interior is designed to allow the driver to concentrate on driving and also appreciate the level of quality in both design and the materials used.
A sporty cockpit that improves functional beauty
The new "zone layout" approach focuses on improving visibility and more intuitive controls which provide "a sense of the car and driver as one" and "a reassuring sense of confidence that frees the driver to concentrate on driving." First, the Mazda 3 development team integrated the information display and positioned it towards the front in the optimal "zone." This placed the information necessary while driving where it can be seen with the least amount of eye movement. Next, the engineers placed all the controls and switches within a single "zone" closer to the driver's hands. Designing the cockpit with controls and information display in separate zones frees the driver to concentrate on driving.
The Multi information display (MID)
Based on the concept of the zone layout, Mazda developed the Multi Information Display (MID). It clearly shows information on all the equipment needed while driving, such as the trip computer, audio system and compact GPS system (optional), which can be operated easily by switches mounted on the steering wheel.
Seats that fit better, provide greater support and are more functional
The raised sides on the front of the seat cushions were made 20mm larger than on the first generation Mazda 3 to increase the leg support for a better fit. The seat backs were also extended by 35mm, which better supports the occupant's posture. Seat position adjustment controls were also evolved. The new power seat has a 3-position memory function. Upon approach to the car, the left-front seat automatically adjusts to the settings chosen by up to 3 different drivers by recognizing the code of the key fob. High-grade models feature standard sports seats.
Substantially reduced road and wind noise
Many improvements were made to structural rigidity and powertrain NVH performance to provide a quieter, more pleasant ride, including the reduction of high frequency booming noise sometimes heard when decelerating while further evolving a sporty engine note. Increasing the rigidity of components and joints also helped to deliver a quieter ride that rates among the class leaders. The sound pressure level of road noise was curtailed by 6 to 11 percent over the previous model, and wind noise was reduced by approximately 6 percent, to 59.0 dB at 100 km/h with a 5 m/s crosswind, placing the all-new Mazda 3 among the quietest in the class.
The Safety
Mazda focused on enhancing active safety equipment that supports the recognition and avoidance of hazards. Specifically, the cutting edge active safety technologies featured on the all-new Mazda 3 include ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Emergency Stop Signaling system(ESS) as standard equipments, and bi-xenon headlights with a pivoting adaptive front lighting system (option). New features include the Rear Vehicle Monitoring system (RVM), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Heated Wind Shield (option). The new model's passive safety systems are comprehensive and include Mazda proprietary highly-rigid and safe vehicle body technology, the Mazda Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System, as well as front seat active headrests and a complement of six airbags, placing the all-new Mazda 3 at the level of the top marks in collision safety testing around the world.
