BERMAZ AUTO PHILIPPINES (BAP), the official distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, unveils five variants of the much-anticipated all-new Mazda3. The Elite range of the 4-door sedan and 5-door Sportback variants of the Mazda3 will come with the highly fuel-efficient 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine while the Premium trims will feature the more powerful 2.0-liter engine along with additional safety and comfort features.
The all-new Mazda3 pioneers the new era of Mazda Premium by elevating the nameplate’s already exceptional driving experience together with even higher levels of design, craftsmanship, engineering and safety.
“We are proud to finally introduce the all-new Mazda3 to the Philippine market,” shares BAP President and CEO Steven Tan. “Mazda has raised the standards of quality, craftsmanship and safety to never-before experienced levels in this class. Through exquisite design, superior finish, refined quietness and engaging vehicle dynamics, owners of the all-new Mazda3 will surely experience class-above driving pleasure.” Mr. Tan adds, “This is a bold new step for Mazda as we deliver on our promise to give our loyal customers the true premium driving experience they deserve.” More than 19,000 Mazda3 units have been sold in the Philippines since its 2004 introduction into the country. This makes the Mazda3 the most successful Mazda model on record in the country.
The Mazda3 is a global strategic model that has the company from both a brand and business growth perspective. Since its initial worldwide launch in 2003, the model has sold more than 6 million units. As a core model in the Mazda lineup, it has always reflected the latest advances in Mazda’s vehicle engineering and manufacturing prowess while continuously raising awareness of the Mazda brand globally.
The Mazda3 is the first model by Mazda to feature the Evolved KODO design language — a more mature and elegant expression of life and vitality which Mazda first introduced in the RX-Vision concept car at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The theme of development for the all-new Mazda3 was to make it “an object of universal desire.” Mazda designers and engineers sought to make a car that would evoke longing in any person. To achieve this end, a new definition of beauty that showcased the “less is more” Japanese minimalist aesthetic was adopted in the design of the Mazda3. This newfound philosophy was further echoed by the Vision Coupe, Mazda’s award-winning concept car unveiled in the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Without the usual character lines that defined traditional car designs, a cleaner more sophisticated presence was achieved. With the all-new Mazda3, these design cues take the shape of two distinct forms that personify works of art.
The all-new Mazda3 embodies two characters with widespread appeal. The first is the free spirit, one who is determined to follow his own convictions and not be bound by convention. This character is represented in the Mazda3 Sportback. To achieve a look that best embodies this personality, Mazda designers took an unprecedented approach to design that eliminates all character lines to achieve a form that is determined by the interplay of light, shadow and reflections of the surrounding environment.
The second character envisioned for the Mazda3 is that of a lady or gentleman who combines dignity with a strong individualistic streak. The traditional three-box sedan proportions were further heightened to produce a sleek, elegant, and graceful form.
To further strengthen the connection between car and driver, every aspect of the cockpit has been laid out in perfect symmetry. Consistent with the exterior design direction, the goal for the interiors of the Mazda3 was simplicity throughout based on the aesthetics of “less is more.” By removing visual noise, a cleaner cabin was realized without the loss of functionality.
For a sophisticated design feel, master craftsmen or Takumi, were tasked to achieve a new level of Mazda premium feel in the Mazda3. Quality can be felt through sensory inputs when looking at, touching and operating the various cabin appointments in this highly refined interior. Soft-to-the-touch surfaces abound with Mazda’s own grain designed to express the richness and warmth of genuine leather.
Driving an automobile requires paying constant attention to one’s surroundings, and Mazda wants to make driving less stressful and more natural for everyone. Employing lessons learned over the years in realizing Jinba Ittai — the state of oneness between car and driver — Mazda engineers sought to further understand how humans achieved balance in their everyday activities. By maximizing human abilities, the Mazda3 achieves a level of driving comfort and pleasure never before experienced in its class.
A 7-inch TFT LCD multimeter display has been adopted in the Mazda3 to show a simplified layout of vehicle status information. Even the Mazda Connect infotainment system has been redesigned from the ground up. A wider 8.8-inch display has been adopted with a simplified graphic user interface layout and refined operability. It is positioned higher and further away from the driver so comfort and convenience information such as media, maps and warning and alert details are a mere glance away.
Years of research and development by Mazda has led to a unique vehicle structure technology which is optimized throughout the entire car so that drivers can exercise their innate ability of self-balance. Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture is the culmination of innovations in seat design along with body and chassis construction.
With cabin noise greatly reduced, Mazda also invested in enhancing the quality of music inside the cabin. The standard 8-speaker Mazda Harmonic Acoustics sound system concentrates on elevating the sound-listening experience at whatever volume the driver and passengers preferred while ensuring high-fidelity music.
The all-new Mazda3 will come in five distinct trims and prices:
• 1.5-liter Elite Sedan at P1,295,000
• 1.5-liter Elite Sportback at P1,320,000
• 2.0-liter Premium Sedan at P1,495,000
• 2.0-liter Premium Sportback at P1,510,000
• 2.0-liter Mazda3Speed Sportback P1,590,000
