A sneak peek at the all new Mazda3

We have seen how the Mazda CX-5 and the Mazda6 take their segments by storm, coupling emotional designs with intelligent drivetrain technologies. But the Japanese carmaker's latest offering has raised the bar yet again. The Mazda3 (sedan and hatchback) looks all ready to charm our local buyers with its radical sheet metal and features.

At the same time, we took some time to find out what goes behind the scenes in the making of the new Mazda3. We speak to three important people from Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC) - Ken Saruwatari (Program Manager, centre), Masaya Kodama (Project Manager, right) and Yasutake Tsuchida (Lead Designer and Assistant Manager, left).

SGCM: Singapore will be receiving the sedan and hatchback versions of the new Mazda3 in both base and deluxe trims. Is there any chance that we will see the hybrid variant?

MMC: We do have a hybrid variant of the new Mazda3 for our local market. The Japanese market is unique in its own ways. For instance, there is an increasing trend of consumers opting for hybrids - up to 50 percent of the market share in small passenger cars. 

Through our testing, the hybrid variant will be able to achieve 30 percent better fuel economy than the standard petrol. But considering the higher cost price of the hybrid, and if an average consumer travels 10,000km per year, he will need seven years before he can achieve a break even in costs. We see that as a barrier for the hybrid variant in most markets.

SGCM: If that's the case, can we expect an MPS variant of the Mazda3?

MMC: We have implemented the MPS variant for the first two generations of the Mazda3, and will very much like to extend this heritage to the latest car.

One of the highest performing engine in Mazda's current stable now is a 2.2-litre turbodiesel unit. However, as all of us understand that diesel engines usually come with high torque figures, the amount is too much for the Mazda3. As such, we need to work out and develop a brand new unit - one that has a higher horsepower and lower torque - for the Mazda3 MPS if the project gets a green light for production.

That said, as a small car manufacturer, we have limited resources and lack the business case to develop such an engine specially for the Mazda3 MPS. For now, that is the biggest hurdle we have to overcome if we want to see the project come true.
SGCM: Compared to the predecessors, the new Mazda3 has been designed to meet certain criteria. What do you think is the main focus of the new model?

MMC: At Mazda, we strive to make vehicles that have a certain appeal to the mass audience. We realised that the price of the car is the main deciding factor for many consumers. But we do not want to rely on a low cost strategy.

Instead, it should form a strong emotional bond with its buyer. That's why we pay special attention to the aesthetics. As with any premium cars, driveability plays an important role. Customers' feedbacks have also revealed that the ride on the previous Mazda3 was a tad too harsh. Thus, in the new car, we have worked on the handling dynamics and also paid special attention to ride comfort.

SGCM: What is the toughest challenge in the design and development of the new Mazda3?

MMC: Many people will think that the Mazda3 is relatively easier to design and develop as we could simply implement a scale change from the Mazda6 sedan. However, this is also the biggest challenge. The Mazda3 is more compact, with smaller dimensions and different proportions. Hence, a scale down conversion from the Mazda6 will not work. In Japanese term, it will look like a 'cockroach' when we do this.

As such, we had to design the Mazda3 from ground up. And with lesser surface area to work with, there were greater restrictions in exercising our design language.

Likewise, the interior had to be redesigned. We took images of the CX-5 and Mazda6's interior and tried to work from there, but it wasn't a success. In addition, we wanted to instil a more youthful image in the Mazda3 to attract younger audiences, so we incorporated more sporty influences in the new cabin design.