All-new Mazda3 4-Door Sedan < North American Specification
All-new Mazda3 4-Door Sedan
The sports compact that delivers exhilarating driving pleasure
Developed in line with Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom philosophy of engineering
vehicles that are fun to drive, satisfying to own, and environmentally responsible, the
all-new Mazda3 is one of the most anticipated product launches at the 2008 Los
Angeles Auto Show.
The popular Mazda3 – the company’s best-selling vehicle worldwide – arrives as a
fully reengineered, completely redesigned, second-generation compact sedan
providing:
• A richer looking, more dynamic exterior design
• Added driving enjoyment with improved performance in all areas
• Progressive environmental and safety features
• A higher level of standard and optional equipment
• A level of sophistication above that available from any other car in the
segment
The new Mazda3 is perfectly positioned for the rapidly changing auto market. It
offers a mix of quality, styling, power, dynamics and fit and finish that hits the bulls-
eye for today’s customers. In typical Mazda fashion, Mazda3 will offer standard and
optional equipment simply not found on other cars in this class – exactly what buyers
looking for more value and less bulk want.
This 2010 edition stands on tall shoulders: the first-generation Mazda3 earned 90
major awards from expert critics and achieved a 1.8-million sales volume during its
five years serving customers all over the world. One in three Mazdas sold is a
Mazda3. Even at the end of its build life, the first-generation Mazda3 continued to
earn accolades as a leading consumer magazine recently named this car as one of
the most reliable compact sedans money can buy.
Mazda3 Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda established ambitious goals for
Mazda’s most popular car line, “We were determined to advance the Zoom-Zoom
driving experience to new heights because that unique feeling lies at the very heart of
Mazda. On the heels of the original Mazda3’s success, we aimed to again exceed
the expectations of customers all over the world by a wide margin. This meant
providing drivers with a sense of exhilaration whether they were in motion, seated in
the Mazda3’s cockpit, or enjoying its appearance from outside.”
On what it takes to develop a true “world car,” Maeda added, “The development
process began with careful study and identification of what features and performance
qualities would be needed. That initial phase ended with my conclusion that every
driving characteristic was eligible for improvement to reach our Zoom-Zoom goals.
Mazda engineering and R&D departments in Japan, Europe, and the US all
EXTERIOR DESIGN
RECOGNIZABLE AS A Mazda3 BUT WITH MORE EXPRESSIVE AND DYNAMIC FEATURES
Chief designer Kunihiko Kurisu’s mission was to remain faithful to the Mazda3’s
existing visual identity while evolving its appearance with richer, bolder design
strokes. Infusing each subsequent new model with more emotional aesthetics is a
longstanding Mazda tradition. The key Mazda3 exterior design highlights are:
• A move toward a more unified Mazda global “family face”
• A reinforced frontal identity which integrates the lower air intake with a more
emphatic and instantly recognizable five-point grille
• To stress power and dynamism, major design elements focus on or flow
toward the vehicle’s central axis. At the front, fascia lines converge on the
center-point at the bottom of the grille. At the rear, the decklid’s surface has a
distinctive center crease
• The compact cabin, high deck surfaces, and flowing C-pillar features were
inspired by the classic coupe profile, as seen on the 2009 MAZDA6
• Hood and side surfaces are shaped to reflect light and physical surroundings
• Subtle wedge-shaped and curving side character lines shared with other
Mazda models give the Mazda3 a strong sense of impending motion—like a
predator poised to strike
• A new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps
has been added as standard on Grand Touring models. The Mazda3 is the
first compact offered for sale in the US with such an advanced lighting system
• Exterior design elements contribute to the car’s function by minimizing
aerodynamic drag and lift while providing the powertrain, chassis, and interior
with adequate air flow for cooling and climate control
• To supplement the four-door sedan introduced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto
Show, a five-door hatchback Mazda3 will arrive later
INTERIOR DESIGN HIGH QUALITY, SOPHISTICATED, AND SPORTY
Inside, the new Mazda3 offers a sporty yet highly refined cabin. As if taut muscles lie
within, the dash sweeps dramatically from its center to the cabin’s sidewalls. The
large gauge cluster and center stack are positioned to tightly link the driver’s limbs
and senses to the car’s instruments and controls.
The slant of the instrument panel optimizes operating efficiency while providing an
attractive focal point. Range of motion studies helped position all controls at an ideal
reach. Key knobs and switches are positioned at the same level as the steering
wheel and the shifter. The Interior of the 2010 Mazda3 is based on our Human
Machine Interface concept.
All the information a driver needs is readily available in one concentrated area that
minimizes lapses of concentration on the road ahead. A Multi-Information Display is
positioned high on the center portion of the instrument panel to further minimize distraction. Navigation, audio, and trip computer information is provided in this handy
and easy-to-view location.
Front seat cushions have been extended by nearly an inch compared to the outgoing
car in order to provide improved thigh support. Backrests are 1.4-inches taller and
recontoured for improved driving posture. For the higher grade models, the upper
side bolsters have been canted inward for heightened torso restraint during
aggressive cornering. A three-position memory function has been added to cars
equipped with power seats – another first for the segment, and not offered at any
price on any competitors’ compact car. Upon approach to the car, the left-front seat
automatically adjusts to the settings chosen by up to three different drivers by
recognizing the code of the key fob.
To provide a top-quality cockpit appearance, the number of parting lines is minimized
and soft-touch surfaces show an elegant grained texture. An interactive lighting
system enhances the cabin’s ambience and sense of tranquility. Upon entry,
illumination rises in intensity in a programmed manner. Occupants are welcomed by
foot-well and door-handle lamps. Next, instrument cluster, center stack, audio and
climate controls brighten. When a driver or front seat occupant touches an audio or
AC switch, a change in illumination acknowledges that the command has been
received.
Dual-zone automatic air conditioning is an available Mazda3 option. Other special
features that distinguish this car from mundane compact sedans are: a Bose 10-
speaker premium surround sound system, connectivity for cell phones and portable
media players, a dock for iPods, and Sirius satellite radio. An advanced keyless entry
system includes push-button engine starting. The Mazda3 options list also includes
rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, and heated seats.
Overall, the details included in the new Mazda3 all contribute to the sense of quality
in the car. This is a vehicle that offers equipment, fit and finish simply not found in
other vehicles in this price range and class, and helps perfectly position Mazda3 for
buyers considering a way to spend less and get more in this new economic climate.
POWER TO GO
SPIRITED POWERTRAINS ENGINEERED FOR MAXIMUM ZOOM-ZOOM,
MINIMAL CONSUMPTION
The MZR 2.0-liter four-in-line engine delivers 148 horsepower at 6500 rpm (PZEV =
144 @ 6500 rpm) and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (PZEV = 132 @ 4500 rpm).
Aluminum block and head construction saves weight. In the interests of power and
efficiency, four valves per cylinder are operated by dual overhead camshafts.
The new MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is borrowed from the larger all-new 2009
MAZDA6. It shares the same construction features of the 2.0-liter engine while
upping output to 167 horsepower at 6000 rpm (PZEV = 165 @ 6000 rpm) and 168 lb-
ft of torque at 4000 rpm (PZEV = 167 @ 4000 rpm). Both engines employ advanced
electronic throttle actuation. Mazda’s exclusive torque base control technology
provides a highly linear acceleration response to every change of throttle pedal
pressure.
A slick-shifting five-speed and six-speed manual transmission as well as a five-speed
electronically controlled Sport-AT automatic transmission are available depending on
the model. Sport-AT offers enthusiastic drivers the control of manual gear
engagement with the convenience and comfort of a conventional automatic.
Fuel economy is exemplary and was key to the vehicle’s development. The Mazda3
with 2.0-liter engine achieves 25 mpg in city driving with the manual transmission and
24 mpg with the automatic. The highway mileage with the 2.0-liter engine is 33 mpg
with either transmission. The Mazda3 with 2.5-liter engine also tops 20 mpg in all
conditions. Equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, its city rating is 21
mpg, rising to 22 mpg with the 5-speed automatic. The highway rating is 29 mpg
with either transmission. As the new Mazda3 is larger in every dimension – meeting
the requests and needs of customers – Mazda engineers worked hard to deliver a
vehicle that offers fuel economy on-par with the outgoing car.
To refine the acoustic qualities of the Mazda3 powertrains, extra attention was paid
to tuning each engine’s intake and exhaust system. Resonance chambers were
implemented to quiet certain sound frequencies while reinforcing others, achieving a
well mannered yet sporty voice during acceleration. The Mazda3 2.5-liter engine is
equipped with dual tailpipes and specially tuned mufflers to reduce mid-range boom
and objectionable high-frequency noise at high rpm.
Mazda3s certified to U.S. Federal exhaust emission standards are equipped with
catalytic converters employing advanced single nanotechnology. It is used to embed
individual particles of precious metals, which are less than five nanometers in
diameter, into the catalyst base material. This new development enables Mazda to
reduce the amount of expensive precious metals such as platinum and palladium by
70 to 90 percent without impairing catalyst performance. The catalyst is an important
part of Mazda’s efforts to reduce reliance on limited resources.
SOUND FOUNDATION
INCREASED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND REDUCED AERODYNAMIC DRAG
CONTRIBUTE TO Mazda3’S POISE AND PERFORMANCE
The 2009 MAZDA6 offers one of the stiffest unibody structures on any Mazda vehicle.
Lessons learned in developing that car provided major strides in structural stiffness in
the new Mazda3. A stiff unibody provides a smoother ride, more confident handling,
and improved agility with virtually no increase in unibody weight.
Reengineered unibody joints and increased metal gauges in key areas help diminish
the transmission of road and powertrain noise into the passenger cabin. Suspension
anchor points are more substantial to provide the solid foundation needed to absorb
steering and suspension forces. In addition to welded attachments, suspension
towers are bonded to the surrounding unibody areas with structural adhesives. A
combination of welding and adhesives – also borrowed from the 2009 MAZDA6 – is
also used to increase the rigidity and collision deformation resistance at door opening
locations. The stiffer door design also improves the effectiveness of weather seals
that block moisture and noise from the interior.
A Mazda engineering approach called Aero Flow Management was used to optimize
the flow of air around and through Mazda3 body openings. Even though the front grille appears larger than before, it’s actually 20-percent smaller to ingest only the
amount of air needed for combustion and cooling. An air guide attached to the front
bumper directs the flow through the radiator where it’s most useful. At high speeds, a
bypass flap opens to minimize cooling fan drag.
Air flow along the Mazda3’s body sides was improved during wind tunnel testing by
placing deflectors near the tires and by carefully tuning the upper-forward corners of
the cabin. Subtle refinements in the shape of the A-pillars, exterior mirrors,
windshield wipers, and taillamps also contributed to the six-percent reduction in wind
noise levels. The 0.29 drag coefficient (Cd) achieved by Mazda engineers is one of
the lowest available in the compact class and highly beneficial to highway fuel
economy.
CLASS-LEADING CHASSIS DESIGN
SUBTLE YET COMPREHENSIVE REFINEMENTS ADVANCE THE COMPACT
CLASS’S SPORTIEST MODEL TO NEW HEIGHTS OF DRIVING FUN AND FUNCTION
There was no need to reinvent the Mazda3’s chassis design because the first
generation achieved distinction as the best available in the compact class in terms of
driving enjoyment, handling, and all around poise. Subtle and tuning changes were
the order of the day.
A rubber-isolated subframe in front supports the entire powertrain, the rack-and-
pinion steering system, and the lower attachments of the coil spring MacPherson
strut suspension. The independent multi-link rear suspension also uses coil springs
with one trailing arm, two lateral links, and one toe-control link per side. Four-wheel
power disc brakes with vented rotors in front and solid rotors in back are standard
equipment. Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control are available on all
Mazda3s, standard on some trim levels.
To improve steering feel, the electro-hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion steering gear is
now secured at three instead of two attachment locations. The additional mounting
point allowed a reduction in the stiffness of the bushings that support the steering
gear to diminish the vibration transmitted over rough pavement.
Resistance to body roll has been increased by recalibrating the monotube rear
dampers for tighter control and by switching to a new more substantial mounting
arrangement for the front and rear anti-roll bars. At the front of the new Mazda3,
lower control arms, the subframe, and mount bushings are all stiffer to improve both
steering response and cornering grip at the adhesion limit. A redesigned rear
suspension crossmember is both lighter and significantly stiffer, also for improved
handling.
The most notable change to the braking system is a new vacuum booster that
provides a more reassuring response to light pedal efforts without disturbing the
highly direct and linear feel inherited from the first-generation Mazda3. Adjustments
to the electronic brake force distribution programming enhance vehicle stability
during mixed braking and cornering maneuvers. Structural changes to the unibody
mentioned above help improve not only the rigidity of the brakes but also their
linearity during high-g stops.
The MAZDA3 with 2.0-liter engine is equipped with 10.9-inch diameter front rotors
and 10.4-inch diameter rear rotors while the more powerful 2.5-liter MAZDA3 is fitted
with 11.8-inch front and 11.0-inch rear rotors.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS
THE NEW Mazda3 IS NOT ONLY FUN TO DRIVE, ITS HIGH LEVEL OF
MANEUVERABILITY IS ALSO THE BEST HEDGE AGAINST A COLLISION
Providing the Mazda3 driver with a better ability to avoid a collision by steering or
braking safely out of harm’s way is a fundamental aspect of Mazda’s product
development. Mazda’s engineers strongly believe that the best way to help protect
occupants in a crash is to engineer control systems in such a way that the crash is
avoided in the first place. Carefully tuned electro-hydraulic power steering, a highly
agile suspension system, and powerful disc brakes are standard Mazda3 features.
ABS, Dynamic Stability Control, and traction control are offered as optional
equipment.
Also, a new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps
has been added as standard on Grand Touring models. The Mazda3 is the first
compact offered for sale in the US with such an advanced lighting system.
But in rare instances, a collision cannot be avoided. To cover these circumstances,
all Mazda3s are constructed with a Triple-H unibody design employing efficient H-
shaped steel reinforcements in the floor, side structures, and roof. This approach to
energy absorption provides crush zones that better protect occupants from the
impact forces sustained during rollover, frontal, side, front-offset, angled, and rear
collisions. Six airbags and active head restraints are standard equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
THE Mazda3 ALSO DELIGHTS CUSTOMERS BY DEMONSTRATING REDUCED
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Seemingly small changes can often deliver great gains. For example, the four-speed
automatic transmission was switched to a five-speed in 2.0-liter Mazda3 models, and
subtle aerodynamic improvements were made. The changes yielded a three-mpg
improvement (10%) in highway fuel economy.
To reduce consumption of hazardous materials, the new Mazda3 uses no lead in its
fuel tank, wiring harness, or undercoating. Hexavalent chromium and cadmium have
also been eliminated from the bill of materials. The toluene emissions from a new
joint sealing compound is 90-percent lower than before. Mazda’s manufacturing
plants adhere to the strictest environmental standards. These are the invisible parts
of Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom initiatives.
Efforts are underway to increase the scope of recyclable materials from 80 to 90-
percent when a Mazda3 reaches the end of its useful life. Molded plastic parts are
already labeled with ISO identification marks to facilitate sorting and recycling.
Fascias, interior trim, and the instrument panel are made of polypropylene for easy
reuse in those markets that offer it. Recycled material has been used to manufacture
new plastic moldings for the past four years at Mazda.
We've been able to confirm that both Truck Trend and Sport Compact Car magazines, august titles from the the sprawling Source Interlink automedia empire, have been killed by their publisher. Word is up to 115 employees were notified yesterday that their services would no longer be required. A former employee tells us that, if this is true, it would mean multiple titles were also canned. We've heard that many of these publications were profitable in recent years, but in a down economy it may be hard for one company to justify publishing 4Wheel Drive & Sport Utility, 4Wheel & Off-Road Four Wheeler and Off Road magazines simultaneously. No one at Source Interlink has returned our calls, so we're currently in the dark as to exactly which titles were cut. (UPDATE: We hear that 
They've gone and done it, the new 
