No really, that’s what Mazda is calling the all-new Mazda 3 after unveiling it at the 2018 LA Auto Show, as it’s been developed and built according to that theme.
Mazda is also saying that the all-new car can be expected to offer dramatic improvements in the areas of design, driving performance, NVH, performance and quality feel.
According to Mazda 3’s Programme Manager, Kota Beppu, “The new Mazda 3 is built on the new Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture, a new set of structural technologies that make riding in a car feel as natural and stress-free as walking on your own two feet.”
He added the all-new C-segment vehicle offers “comfortable quietness” by focusing not only on noise volumes but on the time it takes for sounds to be transmitted and the direction from which they arrive.
Also new to the car is the latest range of SkyActiv gasoline and diesel engines, including Mazda’s new SkyActiv-X engine that incorporates Spark-Controlled Compression Ignition for quick engine response along with a smooth and reassuring driving feel.
On the outside, “sleek and elegant” has been the design concept of the all-new car and the results truly speak for itself. As an extension of the Kodo design, the new head lamp design is built with “less is more” in mind (as an evolution to the original Kodo design).
With a minimalist approach to its design, Mazda’s development team felt that it would create a clean and beautiful look.
A new Polymetal Gray has been developed exclusively for the hatchback that changes the expression of the car depending on light, to bring out the beautiful form of the hatchback’s body.
Even the cabin is built with the same “less is more” approach, with every component on the cockpit laid out in perfect horizontal symmetry and is designed to face the driver directly.
A driver-centric cockpit isn’t the only focus of the cabin. By introducing creases with differing depth and shapes on its leather upholstery in different parts of the car, the new material adds a lively expression to the interior.
Even the design of the shift panel has been given unparalleled attention to detail. It incorporates a laser-engraved black layer covered by a second clear layer to present a glossy black finish with a look of deep transparency.
A new Greige colour is available for fabric interiors while a Burgundy interior will be available exclusively for the hatchback.
The new Mazda 3 is also fitted with a new sound system with 8-speakers positioned strategically to deliver sound directly to the driver’s ears and set about creating a comfortable cabin space for all vehicle occupants. There’s also an option for a 12-speaker Bose Sound System.
Going into the specifics, the new telescopic steering adds 10 mm of movement in both ways, along with a new 8.8-inch infotainment display with the new Mazda Connect that includes a Digital Owner’s Manual.
When a warning appears on the centre display, it also indicates the priority level of the warning sign, where owners can access the manual through an app to get an explanation of the warning. Thinner A-pillars offer better visibility and reduced blind spots with unobstructive views of pedestrians ahead of the car.
The all-new Mazda 3 is the first production car to offer Mazda’s new SkyActiv-X engine, assisted by Mazda’s new M Hybrid System. Engine options are 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of the latest SkyActiv-G petrol engines with optimised intake ports and fueling system.
There’ll also be a 1.8-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine that utilises high flow fuel injectors for more optimised fuel delivery, which as a result offers better fuel economy, reduced noise and reduced exhaust gases.
The new i-Activ AWD system which works in tandem with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC) system to control torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. It does so by by monitoring the accelerator position, steering angle, brake fluid pressure and even the road’s condition!
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