The New-Generation Mazda3 has made its official launch in Malaysia. The brand’s seventh-generation C-Segment contender is the brand’s attempt in positioning itself above its competitors with a high starting price of RM139k. Mazda is in the midst of changing its image, from the tone of its marketing while making their cars look less mass-produced featuring premium-segment features.
CEO of Bermaz Auto Berhad, Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh said that the brand is moving away from the mainstream market “What we are trying to do is moving away from the mainstream products. If you look at the (Mazda3) itself, it’s human-centric, the interior itself is very luxurious with increased comfort,” “There’s detailed engineering also involved in the vehicle itself in terms of connectivity, creature comforts and (ergonomics) with innovative technologies incorporated into the vehicle itself,”
The prices of the All-New Mazda3 as follows:
One of the main reasons as to why the base Mazda3 costs quite as much as the CX-5 is that it’s a fully-imported model. Not only that, the improved fit and finish and the use of premium materials in the interior do reflect the heftier price tag. Take a feel of the knobs, buttons and switches and you’ll feel something that is familiar in the premium segment, and hopefully, by experiencing the improved driving comfort and refinement would help make sense of it all.
The New-Generation Mazda3 comes with premium features
Also new is the 8.8-inch Mazda Connect infotainment display, a redesigned shift knob, new Command Controller and armrest positioned further forward (which was a sore spot in the old car). The all-new Mazda3 now comes with an eight-speaker sound system with two woofers located at the front cowl to improve sound reproduction quality and NVH.
Some of the many features included in the High Plus variant include Driver Attention Alert (DAA), High Beam Control (HBC), Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Front & Rear Smart Brake Support (SBS) and Mazda Rader Cruise Control (MRCC).
Comparing with the older model, the all-new Mazda 3 Liftback is now 30mm shorter and 15mm lower, while the Sedan is now 80mm longer and 10mm lower. Both body styles share the same 2,725mm wheelbase and their 1,795mm width.
Skyactiv-X will not be available
In Malaysia, the all-new Mazda3 comes available with a 1.5 and 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engines. The 1.5-litre makes 118 hp and 154 Nm of torque, and the 2.0-litre engine produces a higher 162 hp and 213 Nm of torque. The innovative Skyactiv-X engine will not come to Malaysia.
When asked by the press whether the innovative Skyactiv-X engine will come to Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, CEO of Bermaz Auto Berhad replied, “Malaysia does not have the necessary fuel quality for Mazda’s SPCCI (Spark Controlled Compression Ignition) system to work as it requires Euro-VI grade fuel,”
The all-new Mazda3 is paving the way for future models to come with new features and technology, as well as improvements in refinement and driving comfort, which the brand will find its place in the premium segment in the near future.
The all-new Mazda3 will have a 5-Years manufacturer Warranty + 5-Years Free Maintainance (except the Mazda BT-50) inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants.
