As you can see for yourself in the adjacent photo gallery, the front fascia has been redesigned almost completely, with a new 5-point grille and restyled headlights. Both the sedan and the hatchback are longer and taller compared to their predecessors, while aerodynamics have been improved with a drag coefficient of only 0.8 for the sedan and 0.30 for the hatchback.
There are lots of upgrades inside the car starting with the soft grained surface material on the upper section of the dashboard and ending with the new multi-information display. The range now incorporates a 10-speaker Bose premium surround sound system with Audiopilot2 noise compensation and Centerpoint surround system, a new interactive lighting control and illumination entry system, new sport seats with optional 3 memory functions plus 2 integrated in the keyless entry system plus a new gear shift installed closer to the driver for easier shifting.
Mazda says it reduced interior noise by 6 to 11 percent, mostly thanks to improved aerodynamics, increased suspension and body rigidity.
There are multiple engine configurations available, as it follows:
1. a 2.2-liter turbo diesel meeting Euro V emission standard and offering different output levels:
- High power version: 136 kW/185 PS at 3,500 rpm and 400 Nm of maximum torque at just 1,800-3,000 rpm and combined fuel consumption of 5.6 l/100 km (CO2: 149 g/km)
- Standard power version: 110 kW/150 PS at 3,500 rpm and 360 Nm of maximum torque at 1,800-2,600 rpm and combined fuel consumption of 5.4 l/100 km (CO2: 144 g/km)
2. a 1.6-liter turbo diesel producing 80 kW/109 PS at 4,000 rpm and 240 Nm of maximum torque at just 1,750 rpm
3. a 2-liter petrol developing 110 kW/150 PS at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 187 Nm at 4,000 rpm, with five-speed A/T transmission and manual-shift mode
4. a 1.6-liter petrol that puts out 77 kW/105 PS at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 145 Nm at 4,000 rpm
In terms of safety equipment, the new Mazda3 features ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control system (TCS), DSC, front, side, and curtain airbags standard in all markets, high-intensity Bi-xenon headlamps, pivoting adaptive front lighting system, emergency stop signal (ESS), rear vehicle monitoring (RVM), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and parking sensor system (optional).
The 2010 Mazda3 range is expected to be launched in Europe in spring 2009.
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