Sharpened - the new Mazda3

Never change a winning horse. For Mazda, the "threesome" since its introduction in the year 2003 a draft horse, which has so far sold more than six million copies worldwide. No reason to risk optical experiments with his fourth generation. So the designers have only finely modeled corners and edges and painted the compact, which is available exclusively as a five-door and sedan, smoother. At the front continues to dominate the large radiator grille, the chrome trim falls filigree than its predecessor, the headlights smaller. The rear drops flat in both variants, the tail lights were drawn narrower. The Mazda 3 comes as a five-door in the spring 2019 on the market. For the sedan and the new, announced gasoline engine with auto-ignition you have to be patient until the fall of 2019.

The coupehafte lines lead passengers to sit in the dark in the back

The 4,46 meter long hatchback model, which has grown by one centimeter - today not in classic Mazda red, but in the new color Polymetal Gray Metallic - is based on a new platform from the Japanese with twist beam rear axle and towers over the VW Golf by 20 centimeters. There is plenty of space for knees and elbows at the front and back, but the hairstyle shouldn't pile up too high. The chic coupe-like lines take their toll. Together with the plentifully small windows, it prevents the passengers in the back from looking outside and leaves them largely in the dark. With 358 to 1026 liters, there is not too much room for luggage when fully occupied.

You sit comfortably and ergonomically perfect

So it's best to just spur the new Mazda3. You sit comfortably in the accurately adapted to the human anatomy and beyond also still adjustable stools. In the cockpit steering wheel, instrument unit and air vents are arranged neatly symmetrical, on buttons and buttons, the Japanese have for the most part omitted. They have wandered into the steering wheel or their functions are taken over by the central display, which has been enlarged to 8,8 inches. Unlike usual, this does not respond to the touch, but via a turn-push control, which is not bad considering the avoidable fingerprints. The new standard head-up reflects important information directly on the windscreen without the use of ugly Plexiglas surfaces.    

In the quiet interior of the Bose sound system provides concert feelings

The content of your own smartphone can be shown on the central display via Android Auto (just like Apple Car Play, of course). The rain in "Riders on the storm" is now trickling crystal clear from the doors of the 12 boxes of the Bose sound system, while outside the first mimosas stretch their branches towards the asphalt on the way from Lisbon to Sintra. The Mazda3 with the only 120 hp petrol engine available for the time being, the MazdaXNUMX reacts as sensitively as a thoroughbred and without delay to spontaneous requests for more speed without immediately going through hot-blooded. Cylinder deactivation helps curb thirst, a mild hybrid system that supports the combustion engine with an electric motor. With the direct steering and the tightly tuned chassis, the compact Japanese also races through tight corners quickly and without significant understeer.

The new self-igniting gasoline engine comes in the second half 2019

The new Mazda3 will be available in mid-March and will cost at least 22 990 Euro. But then an adaptive cruise control, a lane change assistant, traffic sign recognition leather steering wheel, LED headlights, the head-up display, digital radio, AppleCarPlay and navigation system are always on board. Fair play. As an alternative to the 2,0 liter petrol engine is currently still a 1,8 liter diesel with 116 PS to choose from. For the second half of 2019 Mazda announces the self-igniting petrol engine, which should be strong and revving like a gasoline engine and economical as a diesel.

Text and photos: Solveig Grewe (Indoors: Manufacturer)