FRANKFURT - Mazda 3

The all-new Mazda3 at Frankfurt: Stunning, sporty, sophisticated

Back in June, when the all-new Mazda3 was unveiled to the world at events held simultaneously in five cities – London, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Melbourne and New York – the consensus was loud and clear: Mazda has done it again.  The model launch, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the very first Mazda3 rolling off the production line in Japan, also acknowledged that defying convention works.

Taking centre stage at the 65th Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), the all-new Mazda3 follows in the tracks of the Mazda CX-5 and all-new Mazda6, two hugely successful models.  And it is undeniably a worthy third member of Mazda’s newest generation of car, with its award-winning ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design and cutting-edge SKYACTIV technology.

The all-new Mazda3 features MZD Connect, the company’s brand new in-vehicle connectivity concept – fitting for this year’s IAA, where the central themes include the networked car of the future.  Designed for straightforward and above all safe operation, the system makes the latest generation of Mazda’s all-time global bestseller one of the first in its class to take occupants online.  Users can access Facebook and Twitter, explore the world of Aha™ with tens of thousands of stations of cloud-based content, or reap the benefits of personalised location-based services and Mazda’s own car-related apps.

Accessing these services is done from the comfort and convenience of Mazda’s freshly coherent and unobtrusively tasteful next-generation interior, making its debut on the all-new Mazda3.  The cabin, which boasts best or near best-in-class dimensions in many respects, is split into separate driver and passenger zones designed for fun, non-stressful driving and a secure, relaxing passenger atmosphere.  Complementing this inspired layout concept is a human-machine interface (HMI) that is remarkably ergonomic and safe to use.  Highlights of the HMI include the Active Driving Display, Mazda’s new head-up display, and a rotary commander redesigned to enable the driver to effortlessly control the car’s infotainment features without taking his or her eyes off the road.

On the outside, the all-new Mazda3 inherits the powerful stance, dynamic flowing lines and general beauty of KODO as interpreted on the all-new Mazda6.  Taking on the Mazda3’s smaller, leaner proportions, the car’s shapes work like a magnet, building anticipation of what this vehicle can do.  And with its unconventional SKYACTIV technologies – ultra-efficient lightweight body, chassis, engine and transmissions – the car is immensely capable, offering a level of performance and driving dynamics fully as good as it looks.

MAZDA3 HISTORY

A sporty compact car with staying power

When the very first Mazda3 rolled off the assembly line in Hofu, Japan back in June 2003, it was like a breath of fresh air for the C-segment.  The unique combination of performance and handling with a cutting-edge exterior and interior design – all at a very competitive price – made an impact with the media and consumers across the globe.  The Zoom-Zoom generation had arrived in the compact class, and it was popular, selling 2.2 million vehicles and collecting 99 awards including the ‘Car of the Year’ title.

The company introduced the high performance Mazda3 MPS in 2006.  One of the hottest hatches on the market, the 260ps MPS featured a special torque management system, along with custom-tuned suspension and brakes, to go with the aggressive yet understated look.

The second generation Mazda3 drove on to the world stage in 2009.  Now with Sustainable Zoom-Zoom in focus, the Mazda3 was safer and more frugal, but without compromising on driving enjoyment or reliability.  Lighter than its predecessor, the new model was more responsive as well as more responsible.  This model premiered i-stop, Mazda’s revolutionary idle-stop system, which still delivers the world’s fastest restarts today, some four years on.  It also came with state-of-the-art safety technology such as the Adaptive Front-lighting System and Rear Vehicle Monitoring.  The latter, the first such system available in the C-segment, even received a Euro NCAP Advanced Award.

A cut above its classmates

Unsurprisingly, with its bolder lines and more distinctive face, the second generation Mazda3 picked up where the original model left off.  Another 1.4 million units have been sold to date, and another 37 awards captured.  These include best car overall in the 2011 J.D. Power German customer satisfaction survey having ranked as the number one compact in 2010.  The Mazda3 was also the top-selling model in Australia in each of the last two years.

Now, 10 years after it all began, the third generation is here.  And déjà-vu, the all-new Mazda3 is another invigorating achievement, this time featuring the full line-up of SKYACTIV technologies, and the award winning KODO design.  Mazda is getting ready for another convention-defying decade.