Recluse Japanese manufacturer, Mazda, has launched its all-new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback across events in both New York, Melbourne, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, and London. They didn’t host an event in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The look of the latest and long-awaited Mazda3 is tame, understated, but probably as much as adaptation as they could do cheaply to the Ford Focus/Volvo V40 architecture.
The new Mazda3 lineup will for the first time include a four-door sedan version, those always sell well we say sarcastically, but the rest of the lineup will feature Mazda’s line of efficient SkyActiv, normally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol engines.
No, Mazda are not going the route of turbocharging, downsizing, or hybrid-electric drivetrains, or diesels for that matter. Mazda believes high-compression engines in 2.0- and 2.5-litre capacities can be carefully tuned exhaust to deliver refinement and efficient driving.
Styling wise, the model embraces a ‘Kobo/Kodo design philosophy’ which has already been used on the CX-5 and Mazda6. The Mazda3 certainly appears to be more stylish and upscale than its predecessor. The proportions and looks are similar to those of the 2013 Mazda CX-5 crossover. The two vehicles share some under-floor architecture, although no body panels or interior elements. The Mazda3 employs a new active air-shutter system which helps to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
Interior wise, we hope the Mazda3 takes a step in the right direction with regard to higher quality materials and improved design. Mazda interiors from before were bland at best. Notable highlights include a new instrument cluster, satin chrome trim, piano black accents, a new infotainment system with Bluetooth/USB/AUX connectivity as well as the ability to access the internet via a smartphone. More notably, the Mazda3 has an Active Driving Display that shows important driving information – such as navigation directions – on a clear panel behind the instrument cluster surround.
Considering it was launched all around the world, Mazda3 offered in the U.S. gets two different petrol engines. The 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G with 115 kW and 203 Nm of torque, while the 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G 137 kW and 250 Nm of torque. They can be paired to a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic.
To further improve fuel efficiency, the Mazda3 has i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration. Mazda declined to go into specifics of a European model equipped with a 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine. There is talk of a Skyactiv-G 1.5-litre petrol engine rated at 77 kW as well, and this will act as an entry-level point in the range.
A variety of new safety systems include High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Obstruction Warning, Smart City Brake Support and Radar Cruise Control. Mazdas have always been fairly responsive on the driving dynamics front, and most importantly, this new Mazda3 will features a chassis that’s 30% and 90 kg lighter than the outgoing model.
