Mazda threw the covers off the all-new Mazda3 range at the Melbourne Motor Show ahead of its launch in April.
The stylish five-door hatch and four-door sedan lineup include the proven safety feature, Dynamic Stability Control, as standard and Maxx Sport and SP25 variants – which will account for more than half of the sales volume – boast satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.
Mazda will not reveal prices until launch but has promised the new ‘3’ will maintain its strong value-for-money positioning - which helped the current ‘3’ to be the first-ever Mazda product to become Australia’s number one best-selling vehicle (January 2009). We’d tip retail prices for the new range will start around $20,000.
Styling is evolutionary and continues the curvaceous and contemporary work coming from Mazda’s design team – both the hatch and sedan are great-looking cars. Aerodynamics have been slightly improved with the drag coefficient of the sedan down to Cd 0.31 and that hatch down to Cd 0.33.
Dimensionally larger then the current model, the bodysell of the new ‘3’ is significantly stiffer than the current model – delivering improved crash protection and sharper ride/handling.
Inside it’s the same – modern looks and quality materials with Maxx Sport and SP25 models highlighted by the centrally-mounted 4.1-inch screen for the navigation system.
Three engines are available – the 108kW/182Nm 2.0-litre petrol and 122kW/227Nm 2.5-litre petrol – the latter replacing the current 2.3-litre version in SP models. The diesel is a 2.2-litre delivering 110kW and 360Nm.
Standard transmission is a six-speed manual while the auto (petrol versions only) is now a five-speed.
Mazda says the stiffer bodysell and tuning of the MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension give the new ‘3’ more agile and responsive handling.
World Debut For Mazda3 MPS
Melbourne also saw the world premier of the halo model of the Mazda3 lineup – the go-fast MPS model with its 2.3-litre turbocharged engine and sports suspension.
Mazda is keeping the full details of the MPS under wraps for now as it is not scheduled for launch until the third quarter of this year.
It looks the part and if the pedigree of the current MPS is a guide, this will be a genuine hot-hatch worth waiting for.
