NEW MAZDA 3 REVEALED

NEW MAZDA 3 REVEALED

         Mazda's new five-door hatchback has been unveiled simultaneously at five locations around the world.

             These are the first official pictures of the new Mazda 3, which goes on sale later this year.

       The car was revealed simultaneously in London, Istanbul, St Petersburg, New York and Melbourne. It's the third production car in Mazda's new generation, featuring the company's "Kodo" design language and SkyActiv technology, following the CX-5 crossover and 6 family car.

          SkyActiv is Mazda's catch-all term for technology which improves economy and reduces emissions, including lightweight engines, transmissions, body and chassis. Other fuel-saving measures include "i-stop", which switches off the engine when stationary, and "i-Eloop", Mazda's brake energy capture system.

          Buyers will have the choice of a 99bhp 1.5-litre petrol, two 2.0-litre petrol engines (with either 118bhp or 163bhp) and a 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel. Fuel economy and emissions figures have yet to be confirmed, but given the efficiency of the drivetrains in other recent Mazdas expect the 3 to be one of the most fuel-efficient small hatchbacks on sale.

          The new car is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model. The wheelbase has been increased by 60mm, and Mazda promises the cabin will be roomier than before. Boot space increases from 340 litres to 350 litres, although this is still 30 litres less than the luggage room in a Seat Leon or Volkswagen Golf.

          Advanced technology includes a head-up display, a seven-inch infotainment screen and mobile internet connectivity, including "Aha", a cloud-based service with more than 30,000 stations including radio, podcasts, audio books, personalised location-based services, and Facebook and Twitter audio feeds. The steering wheel is lower for a sportier driving position, while the windscreen pillars are set further back for better visibility.

Jeff Guyton, Mazda Motor Europe President and CEO, said: "Everything about the all-new Mazda3 is exciting, from the way it looks and feels to its dynamic performance, nimble responsiveness, reliability and operating costs. We already have big expectations for this model’s success in terms of sales, but I suspect it may even surprise us.”

The previous-generation 3 made up a third of Mazda's global sales.

Prices have not been revealed, but expect a slight rise over the £15,995 starting price of the old model. The official on-sale date hasn't been confirmed, but the car should be shown to the public at the Frankfurt motor show in September with deliveries starting soon after.