All-new Mazda3 from £13,500

The all-new Mazda3 range goes on sale in May, priced from £13,500 to £21,500 (on-the-road), with first deliveries scheduled from 18 May. The all-new Mazda3 has a fresh bodystyle that portrays a more powerful and emotional design, with a richer expression and a more dynamic stance. In many ways the new Mazda3 is a ‘baby Mazda6’ bringing the elegant excitement of that model’s distinctive lines to the small family car sector.

All-new Mazda3 customers will have a choice of three petrol and three diesel powertrains, all fine tuned to use less fuel. On the official combined cycle, fuel consumption+ ranges from 41.5 to 44.8mpg (manual transmission, petrol models, excluding MPS) and from 50.4 to 62.8mpg (diesels). The 2.0 Automatic delivers fuel economy of 37.2mpg and the Mazda3 MPS 29.4mpg.

Customers who prefer a petrol engine can choose from 1.6-litre 105ps, 2.0-litre 150ps with automatic transmission or 2.0-litre 151ps powertrains for the 11 regular Mazda3 models or the 2.3-litre 260ps turbocharged engine in the Mazda3 MPS, due to be launched later in the year. The choice of diesel engines is expanded to encompass 1.6-litre 109ps, 2.2-litre 150ps and 2.2-litre 185ps engines.

Technical innovations featured on the all-new Mazda3 include the fuel-stretching ‘i-stop’ (Smart Idling Stop System) technology on the Mazda3 2.0 Sport, which can deliver fuel consumption savings of up to 16 percent on the combined cycle. In addition the new five-speed automatic transmission is introduced to the range on the 2.0-litre TS2.

“The all-new Mazda3 brings the sophistication, style, technology and refinement of the Mazda6 to the small family car sector. The new model has a more striking design with higher levels of interior comfort and quality providing a more premium cabin environment. Meanwhile, an even more generous specification at each equipment level continues to deliver excellent value for money," commented Mark Cameron, sales & marketing director for Mazda UK.

Safety is paramount on the all-new Mazda3 with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and an Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS) System standard on all models. This system automatically activates the hazard warning lights at cruising speeds when the ABS sensors detect emergency braking. Mazda's Traction Control System (TCS), active front head restraints and six airbags are also standard across the range.

The shape of the all-new Mazda3 has lowered aerodynamic drag to just Cd 0.28 (saloon) and 0.30 (hatchback). The improved aerodynamics and retuned powertrains, plus the reduced weight (down by 15 kilos on some models), result in significant reductions in CO2 and fuel consumption.

“Both retail and fleet customers will benefit from the dramatic CO2 reductions Mazda’s engineers have achieved to bring models below the 120g/km and 160g/km tax threshholds. The CO2 output of the 1.6 petrol model has been cut to 149g/km, from 162g/km on the current model. The 2.0 petrol (available from June) is down to 159g/km from 189g/km due in part to the new i-stop technology, the 1.6 diesel model emits just 119g/km, down from 128g/km, and benefits from only £35 per year road tax. The Mazda3 MPS, powered by a 2.3 petrol engine has slashed CO2 output to 224g/km meaning that the annual road tax will be just £215 as opposed to £405 on the current vehicle,” highlights Cameron.

Special finance offers until 30 June 2009
Retail customers purchasing the all-new Mazda3 before the end of June can choose from a number of special finance packages including 0 percent APR with 50 percent deposit over 12, 24 or 36 months or 3.9 percent APR with 10 percent deposit, or 5.9 percent APR with no minimum deposit over 12, 24 or 36 months. For full details of the finance offers available visit mazda.co.uk.