Mazda 3 – Available from New Cycle & Carriage Showroom
The newly launched Mazda 3 is available in the newly re-furbished Cycle & Carriage Bintang showroom.
Sitting on a 46,000 square feet site, this showroom exhibits up to 12 vehicles with a well-appointed customer lounge area that incorporates an all-day gourmet café. There is also a kids’ play area complete with custom-made fun toys to keep children occupied while their parents finalise their purchases.
Similar to its Lot 9 Mazda 3S concept customer showroom, which was recently launched, customers will also be provided with complimentary Internet access in a private and fully equipped room.
“In a year’s time, we will be shifting this refurbished facility two doors down in order for us to expand into a completely greenfield CI compliant Mazda showroom. With an investment of RM2 million, right in the heart of the city, we are confident the passenger car brand will go from strength to strength,” said Steven Foster, Managing Director of Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad.
In conjunction with the recent Mazda customer showroom launch, the company also introduced the all-new Mazda3. First unveiled at the 2006 KL International Motor show, the Mazda 3 has carved itself a niche in many markets around the world, winning over 70 awards from motoring journalists worldwide, and is finally on our shores. It is claimed to be “a superb statement of automotive engineering, designed and built to enrich life on the road in every way possible”. The Mazda 3 comes in two variants – the 5-door Mazda3 hatchback, and the Mazda3 sedan.
“The Mazda3 epitomises the spirit of Zoom-Zoom in a nutshell: evocative styling, dynamic performance, with no compromise to space and comfort. We are proud to offer Malaysians two engine variants for both the hatchback and the sedan versions of the Mazda3 – a 1.6 litre and a 2.0 litre, with sequential valve timing, variable intake runners and electronic throttle to improve flexibility at low engine speeds, while offering a strong top-end performance. In short, the Mazda3 is a car that could only be born from Mazda’s passion for performance,” added Foster.
Both the high-powered, all-aluminium MZR 1.6 or MZR 2.0 engines feature a DOHC 16-valve configuration, as well as S-VT (Sequential Valve Timing) and VIS (Variable Induction System). S-VT continuously varies valve open/close timing according to engine speed and air intake, while VIS controls manifold length to optimise intake efficiency to enhance torque across the engine’s entire rev range, along with greater power and increased fuel efficiency.
The Mazda3 is equipped with an electronically-controlled four-speed Activematic automatic transmission, tuned to deliver a lively response at all speeds. It also has a slope control function that holds on to gears when going uphill or downhill. The driver can also dictate matters with the option of ‘manual’ shift. Both engines are equipped with an electronic throttle.
The suspension system consists of MacPherson struts at the front and a multilink at the rear, a pretty good combination that promises good handling characteristics. The front suspension also features a four-point rubber mounting system to provide rigidity for more responsive handling and also to suppress noise and vibration. At the rear, low profile springs work with upright dampers.
Large-diameter disc brakes provide powerful and fade-resistant stopping power. High-rigidity brake hoses in the Mazda3 also help to provide better brake response.
The interior design is based on ‘Human-centred engineering’ to provide comfort and utility, and to add to the driver and passengers’ total enjoyment on the road. The driver’s seat features multi-adjustments. Care has also been taken to keep the interior quiet; even the tyres are carefully chosen based on their NVH qualities, and the suspension is tuned and reinforced to reduce vibration. Heavy-duty sound insulation is fitted behind the dashboard to keep engine noise away from the cabin, and the MZR 2.0 engine model features extra sound insulation on the underside of the bonnet. In addition, Thinsulate™ soundproofing material in the roof liner absorbs road noise from the floor and keeps wind noise out of the cabin during high speed driving. All these give the Mazda3 one of the quietest rides in its class.
The Mazda3’s range of safety features include a 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brake-force Distribution to vary front/rear brake force according to load. Passive safety measures start with the Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System built around a unique triple-H structure that resists deformation and channels impact energy away from the cabin. Further protection is provided by front seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiter to hold the driver firmly in place, while front airbags are fitted as standard on all models.
Care for the environment includes compliance with the world’s strictest emissions standards, as well as enhanced fuel efficiency through measures such as high compression ratios, electronic throttle control and minimised mechanical losses. In addition, Mazda also maximises recyclability and recycling to lessen the environmental impact of the Mazda3.
For the driver, the sporty meter cluster features white meters with amber-red backlighting, augmented by indirect blue lighting for increased readability at dusk. The 2.0 litre models, leaning more towards sports orientation, have blackout-type meters with the same amber-red / indirect blue illumination.
“The first-class quality and craftsmanship of the Mazda3 are plain to see. Gaps between body panels are narrow and consistent and even the seam on the airbag cover is eliminated for a neater appearance. We call it ‘customer delight’, a new and unique area of craftsmanship that adds pleasure to even everyday driving,” added Foster.
The Mazda3 hatchback’s luggage space offers a full-flat floor to provide easy stowage; the 60:40 split rear seatback folding, allows the owner to tailor carrying space according to luggage and number of passengers. The Mazda3’s boot allows stowage of up to three full-size golf bags, and there’s a convenient recess in the top of the bumper to give an easier fit for the hand. In the cabin a host of storage spaces allow one to keep items neatly stowed yet close to hand. The handy double-bottomed console box offers an upper tray with space for small items and a lower box with 3.6-litre capacity.
The Mazda3 sedan 1.6 litre is priced at RM111,900 (on-the-road without insurance) while the 2.0 litre is priced at RM129,899 (on-the-road without insurance) and the Mazda3 hatchback 1.6 litre is priced at RM115,900 (on-the-road without insurance) while the 2.0 litre is priced at RM133,899 (on-the-road without insurance).
