New Mazda3 launched

We were fans of the latest Mazda6, and Mazda has just taken the wraps off its little brother, the Mazda3. As with the Mazda6, the 3 is all about efficiency. It’s loaded with Mazda’s latest Skyactiv tech, such as the i-stop system, which automatically turns off the engine when you stop and which Mazda claims is the “world’s fastest” start/stop system, and the clever i-ELOOP.

This is a form of hybrid system, but instead of using energy gathered when you slow down and brake to feed electric motors to supplement the power of the engine, i-ELOOP charges a capacitor which in turn powers the car’s electrical systems. This takes the strain off the alternator and improves fuel economy.

The new Mazda3 also adheres to Mazda’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” design philosophy. According to Mazda, KODO adds a “structured, dynamic sense of motion… inspired by the power and beauty of the animals”.

We think it makes current-generation Mazdas look smart, handsome and mildly aggressive, and the new Mazda3 looks great, especially from the front three-quarter view.

Inside, the car has a sporty interior, inspired by another design philosophy called “Jinba Ittai”, which means “rider and horse” and is meant to bring the driver closer to the car. To this end you have a pod for the driver housing the wheel and instruments, which should hopefully draw them in to the driving experience.

The new Mazda3 will come with a choice of four engines. There’s the 1.5-litre petrol with 100ps, a standard-power 2.0 petrol with 120ps, a high-power 2.0 petrol with 165ps and a 2.2 diesel with 150ps. All engines are available with six-speed manual transmissions, and the standard-power 2.0 petrol and the diesel are available with 6-speed automatic gearboxes. Mazda’s claimed performance figures are in the table below.

There’s currently no word on pricing for the new Mazda3, but the car is slated to go on sale in the autumn in Europe.