We know, live and direct, the new generation of the Mazda3
The C segment, the compact >, it has been quite traditional for years, without a clear evolution in design. It seems that a model from an Asian brand wants to break these molds. I am referring to the new Mazda3 , a car that we saw yesterday in the first person - in 5-door hatchback and 4-sedan bodyworks in the Spanish capital and that, without doubt, will give Much to talk about .
The Asian brand was quoting us at Espacio Harley, on Calle Alcalá, without even telling us what we were going to see. They only commented on the motto " Feeling Factory ". Logic made us think that it would be the new Mazda3; so it was. Mazda Spain unveiled the new Mazda3 in scoop . We could not drive it, but we did see and check many details of great importance that I will tell you in the following lines.
Emotional exterior design
The new Mazda3 intends to enter its customers by sight , to then seduce them with its interior and, it seems, later to finish convincing them with driving dynamics . Like more or less, the design of the Asian compact is very emotional and totally differentiated from the rest of the vehicles of the European market; which is always a plus because it is a different model than usual.
View this post on InstagramToday we are with @mazdaespana in the static presentation of the new Mazda3. Do you like your frontal? - #mazda # mazda3 #skyactiv #kodo #design #design #cars #cars
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Starting with the exterior , a highlight on the front huge grill totally vertical where the company's logo is located at the top and center. The only pity is that the license plate will remove a lot of character from this grill. From it two nerves are born that run along the bonnet in search of the front pillars and, at the sides, the headlights .
The headlights have a very thin and torn design.A contour supports the aforementioned grille and front optics for its bottom . According to what Jo Stenuit, Design Director of Mazda Europe, told us yesterday, this outline will be the distinguishing sign of the bodies 5 doors and sedan. In the case of the variants of 5 doors, this molding will go in a dark gray tone, transmitting a greater sportiness, while in the sedan it will always be in chrome finish, looking for a greater elegance. The lower form of the bumper also varies slightly between the two.
Of course, in the side view they change a lot. The front half is identical, but they vary markedly from the central pillar.Particularly striking is the huge C-pillar , which may seem too wide. The aesthetics of the 5 doors is more dynamic.
Meanwhile, the sedan is betting on a more elegant three-volume body and focused on a more mature audience. It looks like a less sporty car, but more " stately ". Cannibalize the sales of the Mazda6? We will see, but, if it does, in the end everything will be at home. The glazed surface of the sedan is larger.
View this post on InstagramMazda3. Comparison of backs. In red, the 5-door hatchback body; in gray, the 4-door sedan. Two styles, one more sporty and youthful and another, more elegant and mature. What's yours? - @mazdaespana #mazda # mazda3 #skyactiv #kodo # design #hatchback #sedan #compacto #car #style #luxury
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Finally, the backs . The difference between both bodies is very noticeable here behind. The 5-door exudes a lot of sportsmanship , with a superior spoiler that gives continuity to the roof, a very elaborate pilots, a prominent bumper with its lower part finished in black and a real exhaust outlet and totally circular to each side, which conveys a lot of symmetry. The loading mouth may be a little high, yes. Also stand out, seeing from behind, the prominent hips , widening the body much in the rear wheel arches.
In the case of the sedan model , the pilots take a completely different design. As on the side, the back looks more elegant and not so juvenile , but also conveys a very novel image. The bumper has some forms that emphasize better with the character of this body, although we find again a chrome exhaust and circular on each side . I do not know about you, but in a way it reminds me of the beautiful Alfa Romeo 159, discontinued several years ago.
This is the rear of the Mazda3 sedan. Changes completely with respect to the predecessor. First of all, we have a new instrument cluster that is partially digital although, it seems, it does not accept different configuration options such as Audi, Volkswagen, BMW or Mercedes. Fortunately, a head-up display that projects on the windshield (and not on a secondary glass, as it did so far) complements the information.
The steering wheel It is also newly designed, with finer radios and a greater sense of quality in the different integrated controls to control the audio equipment, the dashboard information and the cruise control system.
>View th is post on InstagramThis is the design of the dashboard new # Mazda3. More fluid, simpler and oriented towards the driver. - #mazda #design #design #jinbaittai #interior #luxury #premium
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Following the dashboard , the designers have pursued a > greater fluidity and simplicity in its lines, but without falling into an absurdity. Unlike the vast majority of European manufacturers, the Mazda3 does not look for great symmetry, as you can see in the images. The infotainment screen is 8.8 inches and is in the center of the dashboard, with a slight orientation towards the driver. It is not tactile, operating from the rotary knob that we have behind the gear lever and the buttons that surround it.
When we test the car we can see if Mazda has solved a point that we did not finish convincing in the latest models, which is the infotainment system due to its image quality and the displacement between the different menus.Finally, it should be noted that this model continues to use physical controls for the total control of the air conditioning system, not integrating it into the infotainment system. I also recognize that the position of the air-conditioning air vents on the side for the passenger , right above the glove compartment, has drawn my attention.
Very high perceived quality
One of the sections that I liked most in this brief static presentation of the Mazda3 is the perceived quality inside . Although these two units have surely been revised to the smallest detail, the adjustments of the entire dashboard, controls and panels were very good , without presenting any strange noise. p>
On the other hand, the materials used also had a very nice touch , with a good cushion on the top and center of the dashboard and door panels.The impression that we have taken in the rear seats is that we are not facing the wider cars of the C segment , nor was the predecessor model. The space is correct for legs and head, but not left over, especially in the head. In any case, we will corroborate when we can get into the car with a little more time and tranquility.
Due to the shape of the body, the rear seats enjoy (slightly, a couple of centimeters approximately) a greater space for the head in the body sedan . The central square does not seem too profitable, especially because there is a very intrusive transmission tunnel. Finally, the largest glazed area and the lowest C pillar of the sedan compared to the 5 doors makes the feeling in it more spacious.
Arrival in the Spanish market and motorisations
The 5-door Mazda3, hatchback body, will be the first to arrive to Spanish dealers. It will do so in just a few weeks, between the end of February and the beginning of March, debuting with the Skyactiv-G 2-liter 122-hp gasoline engines, as well as the 1.8-liter, 116-hp Skyactiv-D diesel engine.
Later, at mid-year, the new Skyactiv-X engine of 181 HP and the sedan body will arrive, with the same mechanics as the 5 doors. At this time the versions of all-wheel drive will be introduced, which will be linked only to the most powerful engine.
Mazda3 equipment
The firm Japanese is going to bet on a very complete equipment from the access finishing level.