The new Mazda 3 will cost from £16,695 when it goes on sale this autumn. The prices were announced at today's Frankfurt motor show.
The range starts with a 100bhp 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol SE hatchback - while at the other end of the scale, prices rise to £23,345 for the 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel Sport Nav Auto hatchback. Three trim levels are available: SE, SE-L and Sport Nav.
The Mazda 3 brings the Japanese manufacturer’s frugal SkyActiv technology to the family hatchback segment, as well as a raft of new technologies and in-car connectivity systems.
The Volkswagen Golf-rivalling Mazda 3, which incorporates the ‘Kodo – Soul of Motion’ design language previously seen on the Mazda 6 and CX-5 production cars, is regarded as a key milestone in the company’s ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’ long-term product strategy.
With C-segment cars accounting for a quarter of the European passenger car market – a total of about three million vehicles per year – the Mazda 3 is regarded as a particularly significant vehicle for the Japanese manufacturer.
The new Mazda 3 is 4465mm long, 1795mm wide and 1450mm high, making it 5mm longer, 40mm wider and 20mm taller than the outgoing version. The new model’s wheelbase is 2700mm, an increase of 60mm. Mazda’s designers say the wide stance, long wheelbase and reduced overhangs have enabled them to build a more spacious, comfortable cabin.
The boot’s capacity is slightly improved too, at 350 litres with the rear seats in place compared to the old car’s 340 litres.
The Mazda 3 will initially be offered with a choice of three high-compression SkyActiv petrol variants and one diesel. The brand new 1.5-litre petrol produces 99bhp at 6000rpm and 111bhp at 4000rpm. Equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, it can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.8sec on its way to a top speed of 113mph.
Mazda hasn’t revealed economy figures for any of the engines in the range, but these new powerplants are claimed to be the most frugal on offer in the class.
There is also a 2.0-litre petrol that will be available in two states of tune. The lower-powered version produces 118bhp at 6000rpm and 155lb ft at 4000rpm, reaching 62mph from a standstill in 8.9sec and topping out at 121mph.
The best-performing petrol variant in the range has the same amount of torque as the lower-powered version, but can call upon 162bhp at 6000rpm to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 8.2sec and hit a maximum speed of 130mph.
The sole diesel in the range is a 2.2-litre with 148bhp at 4500rpm and 280lb ft at 1800rpm on tap. It takes 8.1sec to reach 62mph and has a top speed of 130mph.
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Dash
No reason whatsoever for this car not to sell well. And how can Mazda release a dash that wouldn't be out of place in an Audi showroom, yet only a few months ago release a dash that wouldn't be out of place in Hyundai showroom from the last millenium?
I'm impressed
Good job Mazda. I have no doubt that it will sell well.
I like this - looks very smart.
I like the look of this, very distinctive indeed and sounds as though it is well equipped with some new technology. Nice to see it shown in a good bright red rather than the usual boring white or silver.