Mazda updates the Mazda3 for the 2017 Model Year, with minor exterior and upgraded interiors with more tech and safety.

• The 2017 Mazda3 benefits from styling enhancements, new technology and a revised cabin.
• With four specification levels, the 2017 Mazda3 is priced from £17,595 to £24,195 on-the-road.
• Features G-Vectoring Control, the first application of SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technology.

With global production having passed five million cars at the end of April 2016, the highly acclaimed Mazda3 has been updated with the launch of the 2017 Mazda3. Highlights across the full hatchback and Fastback range include, subtle exterior changes and an updated cabin. Plus, with the introduction of G-Vectoring Control, the debut of Mazda’s SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technology.

Thanks to its KODO: Soul of Motion design and SKYACTIV technology, the current generation of Mazda’s global sales leader set new standards when it went on sale in the UK in 2014. Its bold styling, premium quality and advanced technology saw it win praise for its sharp handling, upmarket cabin, alluring looks and efficient engines.  

Maintaining an award-winning range of SKYACTIV petrol and diesel engines, the 2017 Mazda3’s broad spread of enhancements are designed to keep it at the forefront of this competitive class. 

Externally, the 2017 Mazda3 is marked out by a revised grille with a stronger three-dimensional look and a new front fog light bezel. Across both body styles, revised door mirrors feature wraparound turn indicators, while hatchback versions have a redesigned rear bumper.

The 2017 Mazda3 is available in eight colours including Mazda’s new Machine Grey Mica, which having starred on the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF at the 2016 New York Motor Show, makes its production debut on the Mazda3.  

The second all-new colour to make its debut is Eternal Blue Mica, while Sonic Silver Metallic is offered for the first time on the Mazda3. SE and SE-L Nav trim cars feature 16-inch alloy wheels, while Sport Nav models benefit from a new design of high-sheen finish 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the 2017 Mazda3’s cabin evolves the driver-oriented interior space with a host of updates that include higher-quality switch panels and handle bezels on the doors, plus a newly designed trim insert on the dashboard. 

The adoption of an electric parking brake creates space for a more practical centre console, while another highlight is a new leather steering wheel design that enhances feel and style, and if combined with leather seats is heated.

On sale from the 1^st October, the 2017 Mazda3 is offered with a choice of 105ps 1.5-litre or 150ps 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engines, alongside a petrol line-up that includes 120ps and 165ps versions of the 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G.

Having added the smooth, frugal and sub 100g/km 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine to the Mazda3 last year, both this and the well-established 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D engine now feature Transient Control, which ensures a more positive throttle response by reducing turbo lag and boosting torque to deliver a petrol-like engine feel.

Refinement has also been enhanced thanks to the introduction of Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother (NSS) technology, which reduces knock noise during starting and low-speed acceleration on diesel engines. 

Across the whole range, overall refinement has been substantially improved with added noise suppression material in the roof, doors, dashboard and transmission tunnel area. 

Optimised door seals and additional vibration damping materials between the rear crossmembers further improve cabin comfort. In addition, revisions to theMacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension have focused on delivering improved ride comfort and reducing vibration, while at the same time enhancing the pin-sharp handling the Mazda3 is famed for.

The 2017 Mazda3 also features G-Vectoring Control (GVC), the first of Mazda’s SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technologies. It varies engine torque to optimize wheel load to indiscernibly provide more precise handling and improved comfort.  

Other technology highlights include the adaption of a full-colour display on the enhanced head–up display system, while for the first time the Mazda3 is offered with Adaptive LED headlights.^ On sale in the UK from the 1^st October, the 2017 Mazda3 is priced from £17,595 to £24,195.

^Part of the optional Safety Pack available on Sport Nav models in conjunction with optional leather trim

Mazda celebrates Ten Million US sales over 43 years

Forty-Three Years of Fun-to-Drive Cars Has Brought Mazda to its Greatest Accomplishment

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that it recently sold its 10-millionth vehicle in the United States, since starting U.S. sales operations in 1970. The 10-millionth vehicle, a 2013 Mazda3, was sold from Continental Mazda of Naperville, Ill., to Lauren Carter of Glen Ellyn, Ill.  To celebrate this significant milestone, Mazda has replaced Carter's recently purchased 2013 Mazda3 with an all-new 2014 Mazda3, and the 10-millionth vehicle will become a permanent part of the Mazda heritage collection.

"The first 10 million vehicles sold in the U.S. were reached through taking the road less traveled," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO.  "The next 10 million will be accomplished by defying convention, continuing to push the limits of engineering and infusing every vehicle Mazda builds with the soul of a sports car."

"We are honored to work with Lauren and are glad she is part of this occasion.  We couldn't be any happier that she chose Mazda as her first new car," added O'Sullivan.

Carter, a 26-year old accounts receivable specialist and guitar teacher, was in the market for a sporty, fun-to-drive car that has plenty of storage and still achieves high MPG numbers.  After conducting her research, Carter bought her first new car, a 2013 Mazda3. Unbeknownst to her, it would be the 10-millionth Mazda ever sold.

"I chose a Mazda because I did the research and learned that Mazda has some of the most reliable, feature-packed cars on the market," said Lauren Carter, Mazda's 10-millionth customer.  "Mazda's cars are designed for people who are looking to get more out of their vehicle.  I compared Mazda with other brands and models before purchasing and those other cars didn't compare.  The Mazda3 is fun to drive and I can fit my guitar and amplifier in the trunk. For me, there's nothing better!"

The all-new 2014 Mazda3 is a segment leader in fuel economy, design and technology.  It achieves up to 41 MPG highway, has segment-first technology, like its Active Driving Display, i-ELOOP regenerative engine breaking system and an advanced suite of i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies.

Since selling its first vehicle in the United States in 1970, in the form of the rotary-powered R100, Mazda continues to be a company built on the foundation of engineering, taking the road less-traveled and producing vehicles for those who love to drive.  Throughout the last 43 years, Mazda has designed and built some of the world's best-selling and most iconic sports cars, sedans and SUVs.

In 1978, Mazda introduced the rotary-powered RX-7, which went on to become one of the most recognizable sports cars of its day.  In 1989, the company introduced the MX-5 Miata, which went on to become the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world with more than 900,000 sold.  In 2004, Mazda launched the Mazda3, an all-new sedan and 5-door vehicle that would bring segment-firsts like four-wheel disc brakes, xenon headlights, and leather seating to a class that had been filled with mundane driving appliances.

Mazda is the only car manufacturer to mass-produce the unique rotary engine, having built and sold nearly two million rotary-powered vehicles globally.  Additionally, Mazda is the first and only Japanese manufacturer to have won the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1991.

Not resting on its laurels, Mazda continues to look to the future while honoring its past.  The company recently launched its all-new engineering philosophy, SKYACTIV®1 TECHNOLOGY, a suite of design and engineering technologies intended to maximize fuel efficiency without sacrificing driving dynamics.  Alongside SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, Mazda also introduced its new design language, referred to as KODO, which imparts a distinctive and dynamic exterior and an emotive and sophisticated interior.

The common theme throughout all of its accomplishments is that Mazda builds cars that are stylish and centered on stellar driving dynamics through race-proven engineering.  Simply getting from point A to point B is not the goal with Mazda; it is about enjoying the journey in-between.

Latest five-door compact revealed at simultaneous events across the globe

• Latest five-door compact revealed at simultaneous events across the globe
• Mazda’s bestseller joins next generation featuring SKYACTIV Technology and KODO design
• New model highlights successful company turnaround and positive outlook

Mazda introduced its all-new Mazda3 hatchback yesterday (Wednesday 26 June) at several locations around the world. Hundreds of journalists, bloggers and social media attended a fanfare-filled series of events, which took place simultaneously at five locations including three European cities.

London, Istanbul and St. Petersburg were chosen (along with New York and Melbourne) for their insightful, spirited and stylish character, which nicely mirrors the properties of its new five-door compact. Mazda’s top-selling model of all time becomes the third member of a new generation featuring the automaker’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” design and its full range of convention-defying SKYACTIV Technology. The new Mazda3 thereby joins its award-winning siblings: the Mazda CX-5, a compact SUV launched in 2012, and the mid-sized Mazda6.

Consisting of lightweight engines, transmissions, body and chassis, SKYACTIV Technology was developed by Mazda from the ground up as the basis for ultra-efficient vehicles. It has also helped put Mazda back on track as a business. The improvements achieved through SKYACTIV innovation have considerably enhanced the efficiency of its manufacturing and development processes.

“Everything about the all-new Mazda3 is exciting, from the way it looks and feels to its dynamic performance, nimble responsiveness, reliability and operating costs,” says Mazda Motor Europe President and CEO Jeff Guyton. “We already have big expectations for this model’s success in terms of sales, but I suspect it may even surprise us.”

The new compact, which makes up almost one-third of Mazda’s global sales, is a vital part of company plans. Already the target of well over 130 awards since first launched in 2003, Mazda was looking to again raise the bar for this key passenger car segment. In addition to KODO styling, the new Mazda3 features an interior that was completely redesigned for maximum comfort and superb usability. The company even offers an in-vehicle connectivity concept for its new model. Featuring AhaTM radio, among other things, it’s one of the first cars in the C segment to take occupants online.

The new Mazda3 is also the latest model developed according to Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda’s strategy to build fuel-efficient and safe cars that are still remarkably fun to drive. It is therefore available with i-stop, the world’s fastest idle-stop system, and i-ELOOP, Mazda’s brake energy regeneration system. Performance, meanwhile, is impressive thanks to the all-new engines and transmissions. And with a number of other SKYACTIV innovations adapted to the smaller, leaner packaging of the compact Mazda3, it’s got the handling to match and should be one of the safest compacts available when it goes on sale in Europe this fall.