Keeps eye contact

The new Mazda3 is likely to attract attention. He sets outside and inside on a reduced design language, also on an unusual engine technology. At first, there are only known aggregates.

At the end of March, the Mazda3 will be in its fourth generation. Initially, it is available as a hatchback, in autumn follows the four-door sedan. The Japanese compact is based on a new platform with a torsion beam rear axle and focuses on clear lines, good comfort and safety features as well as fuel-efficient engines. At least 22.990 Euro are due in conjunction with the 2,0-liter petrol engine with 90 kW / 122 PS for the five-door. The new "Diesotto" engine complements the range of engines in the fall. 

Instead of wanting to impress some car designers with an unusual and sometimes getting used to formal language, keep the Mazda creatives rather discreetly. In the new Mazda3 they have switched down a gear and missed the 4,46 meter long compact a neat body shell. Unnecessary beads and folds? None. The Japanese did not become a wallflower. In addition to the self-confidently designed and large radiator grille, the rear with its wide and expansive C-pillars and sloping roofline stands out. 
However, this also has disadvantages: people who are over 1,80 meters long, should rather take the front than the back seat. In the rear, the sloping roofline takes away their headroom, the freedom of movement for long legs here is not lush despite the vehicle length. The pleasing shape must also pay tribute to the trunk volume. Compared to the previous generation are missing in folded rear seat backs about 250 liter. 

Otherwise, tidying up the interior was high on the agenda. For example, the number of buttons and switches has been reduced - only the steering wheel is still overloaded with operating functions. The display of the centrally placed infotainment system measures 8,8 inches and is also easy to read for progressive spectacle wearers. As a special feature in its class, the Japanese has a head-up display as standard, which reflects driving information directly into the windshield. 

Mazda refrains from offering a classic base model with limited comfort. The new entry-level version therefore includes 16-Zoll-Alus, full-LED-headlamps, air-conditioning, cruise control, navigation as well as the connectivity standards Apple Carplay and Android Auto. There are many assistants, including an emergency braking assistant with pedestrian detection. 

The 1.300 Euro more expensive Equipment Line Selection features, among other things, automatic climate control, reversing camera, seat and steering wheel heating and a keyless entry system. Mazda expects that customers will enjoy comfort as usual and will opt for just under 90 percent for this line, the other customizations with leather, Bose sound system, send rims, matrix light or an assistance package with fatigue monitoring. This keeps the driver constantly in view by means of infrared and LED technology. It registers posture and movements of the eyelids and whether the driver has his eyes on the road or distractedly the passenger responds. If the system detects inattentiveness on the part of the driver, for example, the automatic emergency brake intervenes earlier than usual.
The driver takes on a newly designed seat with all sorts of adjustment functions including lumbar support. In conjunction with the now further extractable and lower retractable steering wheel you can easily find an optimal seating position. 

For the propulsion offer the Japanese initially only two engines, the 2,0-liter petrol engine with 90 kW / 122 horsepower and a 1,8-liter diesel with 85 kW / 116 PS, which already performs its duties in the CX-3. In autumn, the engine called Skyactiv-X complements the range of engines. The newly developed engine is a gasoline engine with compression ignition, which combines the advantages of diesel and gasoline engine and should be particularly economical. The "Diesotto" 2,0 liter engine is powered by a mild hybrid system, features 133 kW / 181 PS and is optionally available with four-wheel drive.

The majority of customers will opt for the revised two-liter gasoline engine with 122 PS, 24-Volt mild hybrid system and cylinder deactivation. The four-cylinder is responsive, but with the manual transmission models, a little manual work is required to ensure the maximum torque of 213 Newton meters. Alternatively, a six-speed automatic (surcharge 2.000 Euro) to choose from. Here, the switching operations are very harmonious, even fast acceleration efforts are well supported. The suspension tries the balancing act between comfort and sportiness, whereby the emphasis should be more on comfort in the offered performance.

The Mazda acousticians did a good job. It's amazing how little you hear about engine and other vehicle noises - a rather unusual experience for the compact class. Mazda gives 6,3 liters (WLTP) as average fuel consumption. The automatic versions come on 6,7 liter. The top speed is reached at just under 200 km / h. 

Only a little slower in the top is the small, also extremely quiet diesel (from 24.290 Euro) with 192 km / h. He scores points with 270 Newton meters and consequently with neat pulling power. With a standard value of 5,1 liters (WLTP) for the manual versions (automatic: 5,7 liter), he is likely to appeal to frequent travelers.

Mazda3 - Technical Specifications:
Five-door, five-seat compact car, length: 4,46 meter, width: 1,80 meter (with outside mirrors 2,03 meter), height: 1,44 meter. Wheelbase: 2,73 meter, trunk volume: 351 - 1.026 liters

Drives (values ​​for the six-speed automatic in parentheses):
2,0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, 90 kW / 122 PS, maximum torque: 213 Nm at 4.000 rpm, Vmax: 197 (197) km / h, 0-100 km / h: 10,4 (10,8) s, average consumption after WLTP: 6,3 (6,7) l / 100 km, CO2 output: 142 (152) g / km, Emission standard: Euro 6d-temp, Efficiency class: B (B),
Price from: 22.990 (24.990) Euro

1,8-liter four-cylinder diesel, 85 kW / 116 PS, maximum torque: 270 Nm at 1.600 - 2.600 rpm, Vmax: 194 (192) km / h, 0-100 km / h: 10,3 (12,1) s, Average consumption according to WLTP: 5,1 (5,7) l / 100 km, CO2 output: 133 (151) g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d-temp, efficiency class: A (B), 
Price from: 25.290 (27.290) Euro

Brief description:
Why: a lot of equipment, high interior comfort, nice quiet
Why not: limited space and engine offer
What else: VW Golf, Ford Focus, Kia Ceed, Hyundai i30, Skoda Scala
When will he come: 22. March 2019