2010 Mazda3 Revealed at LA Auto Show

20 November, 2008 02:42:00

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Mazda Motor Corporation has revealed the 2010 MAZDA3, fully redesigned for the first time in five years, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Since its launch in 2003, the current MAZDA3 has earned 90 major awards from expert critics and achieved approximately 1.8 million sales which makes it Mazda's top selling model globally.

The car gets the company's global face, with a single, lower and larger five-point grille replacing the two-piece look in the current model. Borrowing from the redesigned 2009 Mazda6's coupe-like profile, the Mazda3's side view features distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fascia.

Self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps, standard on Grand Touring models, make Mazda3 the first U.S. compact to offer the advanced lighting system. All headlights pick up repeating lines previewed on several Nagare concept cars.

Inside, the new Mazda3 offers a sporty yet highly refined cabin – the dash sweeping dramatically from its center to the sides of the cabin. The large gauge instrument cluster and centre stack are positioned to tightly link the driver’s limbs and senses to the car’s instruments and controls.

Studies into the range of motion helped position all controls at an ideal reach, while the slant of the instrument panel optimizes operating efficiency and provides an attractive focal point. Key knobs and switches are positioned at the same level as the steering wheel and the gear level as part of an interior design which is based on Mazda’s Human Machine Interface concept.

The 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 re-contoured for improved driving posture. For the higher grade models, the upper side bolsters have been canted inward for heightened torso support 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 competitor’s compact car. Upon approach to the car, the driver’s seat automatically adjusts to the settings chosen by up to three different drivers by recognizing the code of the key fob.

To provide quality interior 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 tranquillity. Upon entry, illumination rises in intensity in a programmed manner. Occupants are welcomed by foot-well and door-handle lamps. Next, instrument cluster, centre 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 option. Other special features that distinguish this car include: 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. Other options include rain-sensing wipers, heated door mirrors, leather upholstery, and heated seats.

New under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Mazda6. The engine produces 167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque (up from 156 hp and 150 lb-ft from the 2.3-liter engine in the current car). The base engine remains a 2.0-liter, 148-hp, 135-lb-ft inline four.

The larger engine comes with a six-speed manual gearbox (up from five speeds), while the 2.0-liter unit is hitched to a standard five-speed manual (up from a four-speed). A five-speed automatic is optional with either engine. Fuel economy is generally on par with the current model, but highway mileage improves by 3 mpg on the 2.0-liter with the stick.

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 five-speed automatic. The highway rating is 29 mpg with either transmission. Even though the new Mazda3 is larger in every dimension – meeting the requests and needs of customers – Mazda engineers achieved fuel economy on a 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 quieten certain sound frequencies while reinforcing others, achieving a well mannered yet sporty sound 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.

Mazda3 models 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 per cent without impairing catalyst performance. The catalyst is an important part of Mazda’s efforts to reduce reliance on limited resources.

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