New look Mazda3 on sale from 18 May

One of the most popular Mazda models in Britain gets a major boost to its appeal on 18 May when the all-new Mazda3 range goes on sale, priced from £13,500 (on-the-road). The new 20-strong model line-up (16 hatchback and four saloon cars), has a more striking design, higher levels of interior comfort and a more premium cabin environment. Both retail and fleet customers will benefit from the dramatic CO2 reductions that Mazda’s engineers have achieved to bring models below the 120g/km and 160g/km tax thresholds.

“With its fresh bodystyle, more powerful and emotional design, the all-new Mazda3 brings the sophistication, style, technology and refinement of the larger Mazda6 to the small family car sector," comments Mark Cameron, sales and marketing director for Mazda UK. “The new model is improved visually, technically and in terms of comfort. We have given it an even more generous specification at each equipment level, so Mazda3 continues to deliver great value for money.”

All-new Mazda3 is offered with a choice of four petrol and three diesel powertrains, all fine-tuned to use less fuel. Customers who prefer a petrol engine can choose from 1.6-litre (105ps), 2.0-litre (150ps with a new 5-speed 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), and the new 2.2-litre (150ps) and 2.2-litre (185ps) engines.

The all-new shape of the new Mazda3 has lowered aerodynamic drag to just Cd 0.28 (saloon) and 0.30 (hatchback) – ‘best-in-class’ figures. 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. On the official combined cycle, petrol models achieve up to 44.8mpg, while diesel models record up to 62.8mpg.

“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 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. Even the range-topping Mazda3 MPS, powered by a turbocharged 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 Mark Cameron.

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 (available from June), which can deliver fuel consumption savings of up to 16 percent on the combined cycle.

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.

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.