New Mazda 3 revealed today

[naddis01]

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/568...es-and-engines

Tim O'Brien | Jun 26, 2013



Mazda Australia tore the wraps off its jaw-dropping new 3 hatch at a special Australian press reveal at Melbourne Docklands today.

Rumoured to be originally scheduled for an international reveal at the cancelled 2013 Melbourne Motor Show, the covers came off in an event that coincided with global unveilings in New York, London, St Petersburg and Istanbul.

With a cab-back design, swoopy nose and hipped flanks, this is a stunningly-styled car – a new expression of Mazda’s Kodo, or “soul of motion” design themes.

Although the same length as the previous model at 4460mm, it offers more room inside, a wider track, a 60mm longer wheelbase, is 15mm lower at 1455mm, and is lighter and slipperier (with a very low 0.275 drag coefficient).

And, although the car looks longer, its overhangs front and rear have been reduced on the current model.

The front a-pillars are located 100mm further back, and the strut towers and engine slope backwards towards the cab.

The result is edgy youthful lines that will certainly grab attention.

As Mazda design director Yasushi Nakamuta said at the reveal, “We didn’t want to just make a metal box. We want to breathe life into the car.”

We won’t see the new 3 here till Q1 next year. For now, Mazda Australia soldiers on with the current model, still selling strongly but now knocked from its top-dog perch by the new Corolla.

The 3 is Mazda’s number-one car, both here and internationally. Since the 3’s launch in 2003 – ten years ago – Mazda has sold 363,000 units in Australia alone. Internationally, it has sold more than 3.5 million units.

The 3, more than the rakishly-styled 6 and more than the CX-5, carries the Mazda brand on its shoulders. It is the success story of Mazda’s modern era, making up 30 percent of Mazda’s global total sales volume.

So, no surprises when new Mazda Australia boss Martin Benders said, “Arguably, this is the most important product unveiling in Mazda’s history.”



For Australia, two engines are planned at this early stage: the 2.0 and 2.5 litre SkyActiv petrol four-cylinder engines. Each will offer improved fuel efficiencies over the current SkyActiv-powered Mazda3 models.

There is no diesel planned for this market; the SkyActiv petrol engines deliver diesel-like economy and, according to Mr Benders, an MPS version is “on the wish list”, but not confirmed.

Inside, the 3 is equally stunning, and a vast improvement over the outgoing three. There is a snug, sporty cockpit feel to the driver’s workbench, and the dash is topped in a very appealing soft-touch composite.

Piano-black features on the centre console, there are cold-feel brushed metal surfaces, carbon fibre-look instrument binnacle, and stylish polished chrome bevelled highlights throughout.



The dash sits lower under the steeply-raked windscreen than in the previous model, and the multi-function display sits on top (Audi-style). The instrument cluster features a central analog dial surrounded by wing-shaped digital displays.

A starter button and keyless entry was also a feature of the premium model on display, as was a head-up display – Mazda calls it ‘Active Driving Display' – and beautiful soft-textured perforated leather seats with suede hip bolsters.

Martin Benders said the new Mazda3 is designed “to create a strong first impression”. Got that in one I’d reckon. If handsome lines are all it takes to succeed, the new 3 is going to bolt.

From some angles it looks good then from others it looks a little awkward. What is it with forgetting to design the screen into the dash these days?

[Trump]

Looks waaaay better than the current hatch.

[MITCHAY]

I'm keen to see the MPS version of this. Looks good though as is, particularly the interior which I think was rather a let down in the current version.

[GTP-RPD]

Yeah....Nah not really.

What's with the cheetah nose on these things?

Really big on the coke bottle hips.

[tranquilized]

Looks absolutely fantastic imo. Will probably be the best looking hatch on the market next year, and infinitely better than the current model which is just a mess.

They've done particularly well with the proportions, it almost looks RWD.

[BHDOGS]

another ****** mazda 3 whoopie doo im sure it will sell well long as its got lots of pointless electronics for young girls and metros to use next

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

another ****** mazda 3 whoopie doo im sure it will sell well long as its got lots of pointless electronics for young girls and metros to use next

so why did you post in here if it is just another ****** mazda 3?
explain to me which electronics in it are pointless and those that are for young girls and metros? How are many of these any different to those on say the Focus? The Falcon? Commodore? or just about any other make? hmmm???

[rjr]

I like > might talk myself into buying one.

[Halfmo Rocks]

man, cars are all starting to look the same...take my glasses off & this could easily be corolla, fiesta, that little volvo, or many other small cars.
i like the interior better though

i like the way the hatch slopes up to the roof, but the bonnet doesn't flow up to the roof quite as nicely

[rjr]

Twin exhausts on that one in the pic?

[Cuyper]

Looks great from the back, better than the Focus or even the Fiesta. Not near a sexy as the Ford hatches front or sides though. I don't know what drugs you would be on to say all hatches are similar looking cars... Focus and Fiesta well ok, but they are suppose to be similar .

[Buntz]

It will make a hugely popular car even more so.

It looks like something that would challenge a BMW 1 series hatch. If only it were RWD.

[Halfmo Rocks]

Originally Posted by Cuyper

. I don't know what drugs you would be on to say all hatches are similar looking cars...).

geez...dunno where i got that idea

corolla

mazda

hyundai

astra


however did i see things in a similar fashion

[Buntz]

It's not hard to see at all is it Halfmo?

[Halfmo Rocks]

and that's just a quick google image search of the rear's of a few

[Cuyper]

They look less similar than Falcon/Commodore. It only depends on what you are used to, it's like when one race of humans say another race are all clones and impossible to tell apart. Show a Torana hatchback to an American and they will give you a decent list of American cars it looks identical to. (which it doesn't but them it seems to be...)

[Halfmo Rocks]

wanna borrow my glasses?

[DJM83]

I like it, looks a little corolla, I30 and somewhat Lexus at the rear. The MPS version will be good.

supporting Japan, least they will buy a new car unlike some that criticise people choice of car but wont even buy an aussie car themselves.

[GQ_Smooth]

Elegant and sporty. Should take it back to No 1 when it gets released. Looking at peoples reactions on the their facebook page, very positive.

Sorry to go off topic, about their facebook site, if you post a valid complaint about a dealer, I was gobsmacked they they actually do something about it, organizing hire cars for customers, parts shipped express etc... (so long as it's a valid complaint and not winging for winging sake). Ford has a bit more work to do both in admitting problems and taking action, but is at least they are on the right customer service track.

[duaned]

Originally Posted by stevz

I can't believe people actually get excited over this. To me it is just another ugly buzzbox that the clueless sheep and silly young girls will be queuing up for.
Mazda should throw in a one way ticket to Japan with every one of these sold. If people are so determined to support the Japanese economy then they may as well go and live there so they can do it on a full time basis..

You don't like it because it's not fitted with a Holden or Chev badge right?

I think it looks fresh, modern and will sell in big numbers. Now that's 3 points that place it in a better position than the VF Dunnydore.

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Halfmo Rocks

geez...dunno where i got that idea

corolla
image
mazda
image
hyundai
image
astra
image

however did i see things in a similar fashion

I don't know but they look like chalk, cheese, beer and water to me. The Mazda looks quite clean at the rear, the Hyundai and Opel are also OK, the Corolla is too fussy in the detailing.

Styling is subjective anyway.

[Joe5619]

I'm I the only one that hates Mazda corporate look?? All their cars have the same dumb looking front end. And they all look crap!!

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by duaned

I think it looks fresh, modern and will sell in big numbers. Now that's 3 points that place it in a better position than the VF Dunnydore.

I think the VF looks fresh, modern & will sell in big numbers. So that is 3 equal points IMO. What is that saying, opinions are like a... holes & everyone has one!!

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I'm I the only one that hates Mazda corporate look?? All their cars have the same dumb looking front end. And they all look crap!!

You're definitely not alone. It's as though the designers ran out of ideas and said lets just stick the same ugly front end on every car in the range.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by stevz

You're definitely not alone. It's as though the designers ran out of ideas and said lets just stick the same ugly front end on every car in the range.

Ford global are going the same way. The spy pics of the new focus seems to looking like the mondeo. Wouldn't surprise me if Falcon come out with the same front.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by stevz

You're definitely not alone. It's as though the designers ran out of ideas and said lets just stick the same ugly front end on every car in the range.

You're an amusing fella to watch post. I don't agree with much of what you say and it is becoming a little repetitive.

I wouldn't go as far as calling it a dumping ground by any means - Australia is a competitive market and the government has been allowed to make it so. So if you've got a problem with the choice available here, don't blame the brands, blame the government.

You've removed any subjectiveness from your opinions on cars. Based on what you're saying, vehicles like Ford Focus, Fiesta, Kuga and so forth are also junk because they're not built in Australia.

I wonder if you like Camry's? Or would only say so because Toyota produce it here.

It's fine to have an opinion about these sorts of things but when almost every one of your posts is about this it gets a bit tiresome.

OT - the Mazda 3 looks alright - I'm not sold on the corporate front end as shown in recent models but I do quite like the rear end and interior of this car. In MPS form I think it will be a class vehicle able to take it up to cars like the GTI.

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by stevz

I have come to the conclusion that Australians are extremely stupid people,

Indeed and you are Australian

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by stevz

I can't believe people actually get excited over this. To me it is just another ugly buzzbox that the clueless sheep and silly young girls will be queuing up for.
Mazda should throw in a one way ticket to Japan with every one of these sold. If people are so determined to support the Japanese economy then they may as well go and live there so they can do it on a full time basis..

And qouted just for the sheer stupidity of the comment !!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by SCUD

You're an amusing fella to watch post. I don't agree with much of what you say and it is becoming a little repetitive.

I wouldn't go as far as calling it a dumping ground by any means - Australia is a competitive market and the government has been allowed to make it so. So if you've got a problem with the choice available here, don't blame the brands, blame the government.

You've removed any subjectiveness from your opinions on cars. Based on what you're saying, vehicles like Ford Focus, Fiesta, Kuga and so forth are also junk because they're not built in Australia.

I wonder if you like Camry's? Or would only say so because Toyota produce it here.

It's fine to have an opinion about these sorts of things but when almost every one of your posts is about this it gets a bit tiresome.

OT - the Mazda 3 looks alright - I'm not sold on the corporate front end as shown in recent models but I do quite like the rear end and interior of this car. In MPS form I think it will be a class vehicle able to take it up to cars like the GTI.

IMO the GTi lost its title already. Hopefully the MPS is a little more refined compared to be BK/L models, if it is they are onto a winner.

[GQ_Smooth]

If buying 40,000 Mazda 3's every year makes Australians sheep, what were we when we were buying 70,000 XF Falcons. Patriotic Sheep?