New Mazda3 goes high tech

Mazda's new-generation Mazda3 small car will match or surpass the connectivity and infotainment systems of major competitors when it arrives in Australia early next year.

The new Mazda3, launched in California overnight, will be offered with a range of sophisticated comfort and convenience features. Mazda also plans to offer the new car with a raft of primary safety features unusual in the small segment car.

Among the standard kit will be a next-gen HMI (Human/Machine Interface) designed to winnow out information of peripheral value to the driver.

An Active Driving Display places vehicle speed, navigational information and other driving–related data in a vertical array behind the shroud for the instrument binnacle, mimicking head-up displays in other cars. It pops up for use and retracts when no longer required, after the ignition is turned off. Mazda claims the system keeps the driver's eyes focused in line with the road ahead.

The new Mazda3's audio system meanwhile will consist of AM/FM radio, CD, USB/Aux inputs and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming. In addition, owners will be able to download and play music through means of an internet app, Aha by HARMAN. There will be other apps to follow, we're told. Mazda is offering the car with Sirius Satellite Radio, but this is likely to remain exclusive to North American consumers.

As an extra-cost option in North America – but anticipated to make it to Australia also – a BOSE premium audio system will be available with virtual surround sound and an additional facility to read aloud email and SMS text received, as well as display the text on a touchscreen monitor.

The system can even respond on behalf of users, employing fixed phrases to reply.

Voice recognition will be offered, controlling the audio system and allowing the driver to search the internet for locations and directions. Satellite navigation will be a separate option, running off an SD card.

While the electronic gadgets aimed at making life easier are sure to be an asset for the Mazda in the small-car segment, it's the new car's i-ACTIVSENSE technology that will shock the brand's competitors.

Bundling together a number of primary safety features, i-ACTIVSENSE introduces radar and stereo cameras to the volume-selling small car market. The system includes: High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning System, Forward Obstruction Warning, Smart City Brake Support and Active Cruise Control. It's not yet known how much of the various safety systems will make it to Australia – and whether they'll be options or standard equipment for select models within the range.

Mazda Australia MD Martin Benders hinted that many (if not most) of the features will be offered to buyers as an option pack. Steve Maciver, Public Relations Manager for Mazda Australia, indicated that the Smart City Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring were two features he would like to see fitted as standard across the range. He would not confirm that the full range of i-ACTIVSENSE safety features will necessarily make it to Australia. One feature definitely not coming to Australia is the radar-based Rear Vehicle Monitoring System available in other markets.

At least some of these systems were developed first by Volvo during the years both Volvo and Mazda were owned by Ford. The only thing apparently missing – which Ford's Focus does offer for example – is a self-parking facility.

Other primary safety systems fitted include: anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist, stability control and traction control. These features operate through the office of four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated at the front). Mazda has tweaked the new car's braking system for improved pedal feel, response and shorter braking distance.

The new 3’s active safety systems aim to prevent collisions in the first place, but the car's SKYACTIV body has been developed specifically to be light for the sake of fuel efficiency, but also strong enough to handle impacts from any direction with lower risk of cabin intrusion.

It's a sign of the importance of the Mazda3 and its place in the burgeoning small-car market that Mazda has thrown so much technology at it, Especially so soon after the launch of the larger Mazda6 and the highly successful CX-5 SUV.

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