The All-New Mazda3 is Now Launched in Singapore
The All-New Mazda3 is Now Launched in Singapore
This fully redesigned model embodies and represents
the next generation of Mazda cars
SINGAPORE, 19 July 2019 – Eurokars Group and Mazda Motor Corporation today jointly introduced the much-anticipated All-New Mazda3 to the media in an exclusive showcase at the Mazda showroom at 5 Ubi Close, following its preview at the 2019 Singapore Motorshow in January.
“We are delighted to partner with Mazda Motor Corporation to introduce this fully redesigned model which ushers in an exciting new era for Mazda. The All-New Mazda3 is the epitome and embodiment of the next generation of Mazda cars. It represents the core essence of Mazda’s brand values – uncompromising design, cutting-edge human-centric technologies, dynamic performance and unprecedented quality. And it marks a new design direction for the company which will permeate throughout the entire Mazda range as new models come onstream. It also brings to life Mazda’s aim to make Mazda Premium a reality by gaining customers’ trust and becoming an essential part of their lives through pursuing and refining the distinctive driving pleasure that is unique to the Mazda brand. With a thorough redesign, elegant styling, and a host of new premium features, the All-New Mazda3 exudes luxury in every sense,” says Mr Karsono Kwee, Executive Chairman of Eurokars Group.
Inspired by the theme, “an object of universal desire”, the mission of the All-New Mazda3 is to amaze and delight customers all over the world. Mazda Motor Corporation set out to achieve this by applying its human-centric philosophy to attain significant improvements in all aspects, be it design, driving performance, environmental friendliness and quality feel.
As a core and global strategic model which has sold more than 6 million units since its launch in 2003, the Mazda3 has always encapsulated the latest advancements. In line with this spirit, this fully redesigned model is the first commercial model to feature some of the technologies that will drive Mazda Motor Corporation’s “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030” long-term vision which delineates how Mazda will use driving pleasure, the fundamental appeal of the automobile, to help solve issues facing people, the earth and society.
The All-New Mazda3 is also the first in the lineup to adopt a more mature interpretation of Mazda’s signature KODO – Soul of Motion design language that explores the essence of Japanese aesthetics while elevating car design to the level of fine art. At a glance, the All-New Mazda3 is sleek and elegant, giving the impression of a single flowing brushstroke. While the overall form presents a simple silhouette, and conveys singular motion, subtle undulations bring the design to life through shifting light and reflections that glide over the body surface. The result is a richer and more powerful expression of vitality than previous KODO design models.
The All-New Mazda3 is available as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, both targeting different groups of customers. The design concept for the sedan is “sleek elegance” whereas the hatchback is intended to be “condensed and emotional”.
Mr Kota Beppu, Program Manager of the All-New Mazda3, says: “The All-New Mazda3 embodies two characters with widespread appeal. The first is the free spirit, determined to follow their own convictions and not be bound by conventional wisdom. This character is represented in the hatchback. To achieve such a look, we took an unprecedented approach to design that eliminates all character lines and relies entirely on lustrous and beautifully curved body panels that reflect the surrounding environment.”
“The other character is that of a lady or gentlemen who combines dignity with a strong individualistic streak. Their adherence to formality and traditional styles conceals an idiomatic beauty that is breathtaking when glimpsed. This character is embodied in the sedan. Aspiring to create the most gorgeous sedan in its class, we set aside the notion of a C-segment car, removed all constraints and extended the overall length. We overcame numerous technical challenges in order to keep the hood and trunk low,” Mr Beppu adds.
With its new technologies and innovations, the All-New Mazda3 will forge a more seamless and harmonious relationship between the car and driver, thereby underscoring Mazda’s Jinba-ittai driving experience which is at the heart of Mazda’s human-centric design philosophy. Mazda’s ongoing goal is to realise the ultimate expression of Jinba-ittai by enabling the driver to enjoy the pleasure of driving with natural action, as though moving his or her own body without any need for conscious effort.
The all-new model rides on the next generation of Mazda’s new Skyactiv-Vehicle architecture which is a set of structural technologies that dramatically enhance the car’s fundamental driving attributes such that accelerating, turning and braking feel completely natural, and in turn, provide superior comfort to all cabin occupants. In addition, sound-absorbing material is used throughout the car to enhance sound insulation and reduce overall levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), to provide a “high-quality quietness” that is satisfying to the occupants.
The All-New Mazda3 that is available for sale in Singapore is powered by the latest SKYACTIV-G 1.5 litre engine which is a high-efficiency engine that compresses the air-fuel mixture to a much higher degree than in conventional powerplants, squeezing far more energy from every drop of fuel. This high compression ratio, unparalleled among mass production engines, delivers both sheer driving pleasure and outstanding fuel economy. And it is further enhanced by a raft of innovative Mazda technologies including optimized intake ports and piston shape, split fuel injection and a coolant control valve.
The All-New Mazda3 also features the new Mazda-developed M-Hybrid system. The technology helps improve fuel economy by regenerating energy recovered during deceleration and using it to power onboard electrical equipment. It also powers a motor that assists the engine when accelerating from a standstill, the time when it is of greatest effect.
The All-New Mazda3 is the first in a lineup of the new generation models to come, and is set to pave way for a new era for Mazda which promises to deliver a more premium and luxurious driving experience.
Reflecting this, the All-New Mazda3 sedan will be available in three options – Classic, Elegance and Astina. Customers will have a choice of either the Elegance or Astina model for the All-New Mazda3 hatchback. The Astina at the highest end of the range is fitted with premium touches such as signature illumination at the front and rear combination lamps; a piano black pillar-garnish colour; a leather steering wheel and shift knob, and the Bose® sound system with 12 speakers. It has an advanced i-ACTIVSENSE safety system which comprises Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH); Driver Monitoring System (DMS); Smart Brake Support (SBS) system; Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA); Cruising and Traffic Support (CTS), and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).
“The Mazda Astina which was rolled out in the 1990s gained fast popularity worldwide with its sporty fastback body styling and distinctive front end with pop-up headlights. It was reputed for its sharp steering and well-balanced chassis. By adopting the Astina as the moniker for the highest range of the All-New Mazda3 that is available for sale in Singapore, we are paying tribute to one of the most iconic and classic Mazda models of all times,” says Mr Kwee.
“The Mazda3 is a well sought after model in a market whereby customers are drawn towards new and innovative products in tandem with their rising lifestyle aspirations. We have sold over 15,000 units of Mazda3 in Singapore since Trans Eurokars took over the distribution of Mazda in 2011. I am confident that the All-New Mazda3, with its elegant and sophisticated human-centric design and styling, premium features and next generation technology, will be well-received and amplify the appeal of owning a Mazda car. Moving forward, we will continue with our efforts to deepen the groundswell of appreciation for the Mazda brand, and expand the market share of Mazda vehicles through value-added car ownership programmes and continued investment,” he adds.
In terms of infrastructure expansion, Eurokars Group launched the Eurokars Aftersales Centre in October last year. This S$70 million and 430,000 square feet facility at 27A Tanjong Penjuru houses the group’s after-sales operations and serves as an all-encompassing hub for repairs and maintenance; pre-delivery inspection; body repair and spray painting, as well as the warehousing of vehicles and parts.
Located at level 2 of the Eurokars Aftersales Centre is the new Mazda Service Centre which symbolises Eurokars Group’s continued investment in the future growth of Mazda in Singapore, and its pursuit of excellence in delivering the best-in-class customer service and premium Mazda experience in the new era. This new facility is provisioned with state-of-the-art equipment and technology which not only future-proof Mazda’s aftersales services, but also cater to the next generation of Mazda vehicles.
“Mazda has added a string of crowning achievements to Eurokars Group’s accomplishments in the form of sales and recognition by our principal, Mazda Motor Corporation, with whom we have enjoyed a strong and rewarding partnership. We are setting our sights on the future of Mazda which is showing great potential in the markets where we operate, and we will continue to boost the market share and mind share of Mazda vehicles through our efforts and investments in those markets,” says Mr Kwee.
The All-New Mazda3
The All-New Mazda3 is the first production model to adopt an evolved version of the KODO –Soul of Motion design, which has been a driving force in enhancing the brand’s global value. While featuring an extremely simple “single motion” to its overall form, the way light and shadows shift and reflections move over the body of the vehicle engenders a highly vital and dramatic expression that goes beyond previous iterations of the KODO design language.
Another goal in styling the All-New Mazda3 was to give the hatchback its more emotional design, while the sedan aims to present more elegant proportions. While they share the same Mazda3 model name, the two forms embody different personalities.
In order to enhance the human-centric element of the All-New Mazda3, Mazda applied the latest available knowledge and technology in designing the driving position, visibility, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and audio quality. These were leveraged to further elevate the level of quality and satisfaction by delivering a more natural and intuitive feeling to driving.
The All-New Mazda3 is the first production car to be powered by the latest SKYACTIV engine, and also adopts Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture. These add a new layer of polish to its driving dynamics, based on Mazda’s human-centric design philosophy. Features of the new SKYACTIV-G engine include superior initial response, powerful torque, faithful linear response and free-revving performance. The engine is assisted by Mazda’s intelligent new M-Hybrid system, which supports greater gains in fuel economy, and achieves higher levels of driving pleasure and environmental friendliness.
The M-Hybrid system uses Mazda’s new electric device technology to improve fuel economy. It regenerates the energy recovered during deceleration and uses it to power onboard electrical equipment. It also powers a motor that assists the engine when accelerating from a standstill, a time when the engine benefits from it most.
To delve further into this, the M-Hybrid system takes kinetic energy recovered during deceleration, uses an integrated starter generator (ISG) to convert it into electric power, and stores that power in a lithium-ion battery. It then uses a DC-DC converter to convert that power to the appropriate voltage and supplies it to the car’s electrical equipment. Adopting the belt-driven ISG also allows the system to provide drive assist and to help the engine restart more quietly after shutting down for idling stop. In addition, the lithium-ion battery is mounted between the wheels such that it minimises any effect on interior space while optimising weight distribution and contributing to collision safety.
To provide a “high-quality quietness” that is satisfying to all cabin occupants, Mazda improved the basic insulation qualities that are key to reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The All-New Mazda3 marks Mazda’s first application of a “two-wall” structure that leaves space between the body and carpeting on the floor. By considering the carpet and the body panel as two walls, and then designing them to match the characteristics of the fiber material attached to the carpet increases efficiency without increasing weight. No detail was overlooked in Mazda’s efforts to suppress noise – the number of holes in the carpeting was reduced wherever possible to significantly enhance sound insulation.
The All-New Mazda3 is also fully equipped to handle the entertainment demands of modern families, offering the latest in connectivity and infotainment. All passengers will be immersed in the exceptional sound quality of Bose® audio – a 12-speaker system that is integrated seamlessly throughout its posh interior. It features custom tuning to provide more powerful bass and higher audio quality.
The All-New Mazda3 also features the most up-to-date Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch wide centre display that can be operated simply by using the commander control. Additionally, the Active Driving Display (ADD), meters and center display have been redesigned to present information in a simpler fashion, while the fonts are unified to create a consistent look. Constantly changing high-priority information is delivered in real time in the Active Driving Display just below the driver‘s line of sight; Essential driving information is shown in the meter cluster LCD directly in front of the driver, and information related to entertainment and convenience comes via the 8.8-inch centre display.
To further strengthen the connection between the car and driver, every aspect of the cockpit is laid out in perfect horizontal symmetry with the driver in the center. At the same time, every element is designed to directly face the driver and help emphasise the driver-centered axis that runs from front to rear. Furthermore, the interior incorporates the “less is more” ideal that is fundamental to the All-New Mazda3’s evolved KODO design. Keeping all elements other than the cockpit as simple as possible helps amplify the presence of the cockpit zone. This creates a comfortable environment in which the car and driver engage in a natural dialogue that enables the driver to focus on the task of driving.
The design goal for the interior is simplicity throughout based on the pared-down aesthetics of “less is more”. For example, the climate-control panel and passenger-side louvers are integrated into the leftright axis that follows the line of the instrument panel. This results in a clean and simple design.
The interior parts employ Mazda’s own grain, designed to express the richness and warmth of genuine leather. By introducing creases with differing depth and shapes on different parts, this new material creates a lively rich expression. Red leather was newly developed as an interior color exclusive to the hatchback. The deep and vivid look of this special red leather heightens the emotion of exterior design, and creates a look that appeals to mature tastes.
The newly designed shift panel takes advantage of a technology called “two-layer molding that incorporates a laser-engraved black layer covered by a second clear layer to present a glossy black finish with a look of deep transparency. Shifts in light create a rich linear expression that helps the panel accentuate the All-New Mazda3’s sporty nature, high-quality appearance, and pride of ownership.
In line with Mazda’s Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture next-generation structural technologies, the seats adopt a basic structure designed to maintain the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. The seat cushion and lower seatback support the lower pelvis, upper pelvis and thighs to keep the pelvis in an upright position. Meanwhile, the lower seatback bolsters the gravity centre of the rib cage. Overall, this structure enables the driver to stabilise his or her head in a natural manner by shifting his or her pelvis and spine to maintain balance without any conscious effort.
The vehicle has also been designed to maximise the safety of every single passenger on board. The All-New Mazda3 comes equipped with Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety system. The system comprises a comprehensive suite of safety technologies that employs sophisticated detection devices, and aims to maximise the range of conditions in which the driver can safely operate the vehicle with confidence while minimising the risks that can lead to an accident. This evolving and all-inclusive approach to safety takes Mazda closer to its ultimate goal of eliminating traffic accidents while enhancing driving pleasure.
The All-New Mazda3’s i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety technologies comprise the following features:
- Driver Monitoring System (DMS): DMS uses both an infrared camera and LED to observe the driver’s condition while driving. It monitors how wide open the driver’s eyelids are at any given time, the number of time he/she blinks, and also the angle of the mouth and face in order to determine the level of drowsiness and fatigue. If the system discerns a dangerous situation, it will sound an alert and prime the Smart Brake Support (SBS) system.
- Smart Brake Support (SBS) system: The Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS) function is now integrated into Smart Brake Support (SBS). The updated SBS system features enhanced detection of pedestrians at night and bicycles. It works in conjunction with the DMS to shorten the time required for the brake warning to sound.
- Smart Brake Support [Rear] (SBS-R) – low objects behind the vehicle are hard, or even impossible, to see from the driver’s seat. SBS-R’s rear-facing ultrasonic sensor detects such obstacles behind the vehicle when reversing at a speed of between approximately 2 and 8 km/h. If the system determines the driver is unaware of the obstacle and judges that a collision is imminent, it applies the brakes to help reduce collision damage.
- Smart Brake Support [Rear Crossing] (SBS-RC) – Vehicles approaching from the left or right at the rear of the vehicle are another source of danger when reversing. SBS-RC detects vehicles approaching from the vehicle’s left and right rear blind spots when reversing at a speed of between approximately 0 and 10 km/h. If the system judges an impact is unavoidable, it operates the brakes to help mitigate damage caused by the collision.
- Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA): The FCTA uses newly adopted front side radars to detect other vehicles approaching from blind spots at the front right or left of the vehicle and alert the driver of their presence. This helps prevent a common cause of accidents, when cars enter a T-intersection with a partially obscured view.
- Cruising and Traffic Support (CTS) system: The CTS system contributes to reducing driver fatigue by assisting with accelerator, brake pedal and steering operations when stuck in traffic jams on the highway. When engaged, CTS automatically controls vehicle speed to keep a suitable distance from the vehicle ahead, and also assists with steering torque to maintain proper lane position through bends. If lane markings are not detected, the system follows the path of the preceding vehicle.
- Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS): LDWS employs a forward-sensing camera to monitor lane markings on the road ahead, constantly checking whether the vehicle is correctly centred in the lane. When unintentional lane departure is detected, LDWS warns the driver by vibrating the steering wheel or sounding an alert. The system operates when the car is moving forward at a speed higher than approximately 60 km/h.
Major Specifications
Available in a new colour for the hatchback – Polymetal Grey Metallic – the All-New Mazda3 will be retailing from S$92,688 for the sedan (Classic) and S$107,688 for the hatchback (Elegance). Prices are valid until 7 August 2019 and are accurate at the time of print. Trans Eurokars Pte Ltd reserves the right to amend the prices without prior notice.