The 2014 Mazda3 compact five-door sedan was unveiled today in coordinated launch events in New York, Melbourne, Istanbul, St. Petersburg and London, underscoring the popularity of one of Mazda’s best-selling mid-size sedans. Redesigned from the ground up, the new Mazda3 is lower and leaner than ever, with a wheelbase of 106.3 inches, or 2.4 inches longer than the predecessor. Comfort at the heart of Mazda’s redesign as the rear seatbacks are nearly 2 inches taller and front and rear shoulder room was increased to 57.2 and 54.4 inches.
In North America, the 2014 Mazda3 will be offered with two engine choices. The SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine is a carry-over from the 2013 model while the new SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine, as fitted to the CX-5 and 2014 Mazda6, will debut in the 2014 model. Worldwide, the Mazda3 offers a varied SKYACTIV powertrain line-up in order to meet local market demands: SKYACTIV-G 1.5- to 2.5-liter-sized gasoline engines, a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine and as a hybrid electric vehicle in Japan.
The 2.0-liter engine generates 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. As compared to the outgoing MZR 2.5-liter engine, the torque output on the 2.5-liter engine at low- to mid-range speeds is increased by 10 to 15 percent, and its weight is reduced by 10 percent. The 2.5-liter engine produces a peak of 184 hp at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,250 rpm.
Mazda3 features SKYACTIV technologies and the so-callled KODO design language, Mazda’s “Soul of Motion” approach.A new feature to any Mazda is active air-shutter built-in at the front of the radiator to automatically open and close with driving conditions to improve aerodynamic performance and improve fuel economy. The 2014 Mazda3 is the first vehicle in Mazda’s line-up equipped with the Active Driving Display, a clear pop-up panel that displays vehicle speed and navigation during driving and automatically folds back into a hidden position when the ignition is shut off. A number of all-new safety systems collectively called i-ACTIVSENSE are also standard and include sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras.
“With more than 3.5 million vehicles sold globally, the Mazda3 is the brand’s best-selling and most recognizable name plate, and its redesign for 2014 shows just how much attention to detail and care we put into this important vehicle,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO have performed as advertised and received critical acclaim, with even more technologies and materials to be introduced with the 2014 Mazda3. On the heels of the launch of the 2013 CX-5 crossover SUV last fall and the 2014 Mazda6 early this year, this is an exciting time for Mazda, and we’re only getting started.”
The 2014 Mazda3 will be available this fall in eight colors, including the premium metallic finish Soul Red and two all-new Mazda hues, Titanium Flash Mica and Deep Crystal Blue Mica. The interior is available in cloth (black, sand), leatherette (black) and leather (black, almond) seat materials. No word yet on pricing.
Photo Credit: Mazda
