2019 Mazda CX-3

The visual connection of the chrome front bumper and side garnish decorative mouldings emphasise the CX-3’s broad, stable stance, and -in connection with a new gloss black finish to the fog lamp bezels, pillar garnishes and side garnish mouldings- give the new Mazda a higher-quality, premium appearance.

To the rear, new LED lamp clusters adopt a ring shape combined with horizontal lines. The mechanical precision and depth of this design marries a more refined, mature appearance with high quality illumination, whilst ensuring the lamps stand out more clearly against the rich, new Soul Red Crystal body colour.

Thanks to Mazda’s proprietary TAKUMINURI painting technology, Soul Red Crystal features a vivid energetic hue and a finish with clear and lustrous depth. It boasts 20% greater colour saturation and 50% more depth than Soul Red for greater visual power and transparency. Eight other body colours are available: Deep Crystal Blue, Titanium Flash, Jet Black, Snowflake White Pearl, Ceramic Metallic, Machine Grey, Eternal Blue, and Artic White.

Featuring multi-faceted spokes, the powerful, sculpted design of new 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels provides a sense of depth, speed and increased size. The metallic sheen of the machined surfaces works with the CX-3’s chrome side-cladding to enhance the overall impression of speed.

INTERIOR DESIGN

The interior of the new CX-3 has been revised in line with both Mazda’s human-centred philosophy and the Japanese design tradition of eliminating excess, to create a comfortable, ergonomically excellent cabin environment with an overall ambience of sophisticated coordination and premium quality.

The adoption of an electric parking brake has allowed for the centre console to be redesigned in a more elegant form which visually flows into the dashboard. Its comfort and functionality have also been improved: a padded armrest with a console box beneath has been added and the Mazda Rotary Commander moved forwards for improved usability. The cup holder has also been repositioned for easier access.

A central armrest with built-in cup holders has also been added for the rear seats, offering occupants greater comfort and a more stable posture.

The front seats benefit from the use of high-damping urethane foam in the seat cushions. This increases ride comfort thanks to better insulation, yet still transmits road surface information for essential driver feedback.

High grade models feature genuine leather seats with vertical pleating on the seatbacks and high-gloss piping at the shoulders for a premium look and feel. Soft padding for the armrests and the extensive use of soft surface coverings throughout the cabin have increased both comfort and quality to new levels for vehicles in this class.

The cabin is now available in a choice of three colour schemes that pursue the Japanese aesthetic; grey with genuine leather seats in black or white; grey with black leatherette seats; and black with black fabric upholstery.

Following the Japanese design tradition of eliminating excess, colour is applied in well-defined zones, producing an overall ambience of sophisticated coordination. The louvre rings surrounding the air-conditioning vents are finished in Bitter Red, a new red with depth to match the new Soul Red Crystal body colour.

The new Mazda CX-3 comes with an optional smartphone control update for all vehicles equipped with the company’s human-centred MZD Connect multimedia system. The connectivity update will enable customers with iPhones to enjoy Apple CarPlay integration – letting them make phone calls, send messages, listen to Apple Music, and get directions with Apple Maps through Siri or the MZD Connect system safely whilst on the move. Android Auto integration is also available as an optional update, offering a similar range of features for customers with Android smartphones through the Google Voice User Interface or the MZD Connect system.

SKYACTIV POWERTRAINS

The remarkably fuel efficient SKYACTIV powertrains have been tuned to provide abundant torque and powerful, linear acceleration from a standstill, enhancing the CX-3’s responsiveness to the driver’s throttle inputs for a more naturally engaging driving experience.

The new Mazda CX-3 will be available with a choice of three engines: a 115 PS SKYACTIV-D 1.8 litre diesel engine and both 121 PS and 150 PS variants of a SKYACTIV-G 2.0 litre gasoline unit. All three powertrains target responsiveness and speed control that match driver inputs as closely as possible to enhance Mazda’s uniquely involving, Jinba Ittai driving experience.

All three engines are homologated according to the requirements of the new WLTP/RDE test cycle, and meet Euro 6d-TEMP emissions regulations.

They may be mated to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. The SKYACTIV-D 1.8 further features a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive powertrains, whilst the 121 PS SKYACTIV-G 2.0 unit has a front-wheel drive powertrain and the 150 PS SKYACTIV-G 2.0 variant is equipped with all-wheel drive.

The engines also incorporate technologies designed to reduce fluctuations in fuel consumption attributed to usage patterns and seasonal changes. Examples include improved combustion efficiency when the engine is under heavy load such as when climbing or driving fully loaded, and thermal management technology that reduces fuel consumption in low temperature conditions.

INNOVATIVE SKYACTIV-D 1.8 DIESEL ENGINE TECHNOLOGIES

Rapid Multi-stage Combustion: The new SKYACTIV-D 1.8 features a combustion process called Rapid Multi-stage Combustion. Multiple, high-pressure fuel injections (up to six) in quick succession generate a continuous burn with a shorter combustion period. This combustion method results in quieter and more economical performance during low-speed, low-load city driving, but produces a linear engine sound that matches the degree of acceleration.

Redesigned stepped-egg profile combustion chamber: The shape of the combustion chamber has been optimized to prevent fire from clinging to the piston and minimize energy loss by heat transfer to the wall.

Ultra-high-response multi-hole piezo injectors: Ultra-high-response injectors that emit fuel spray from 10 separate injection ports enable a multi-stage main injection and a faster post-combustion injection, shortening the combustion period. Pressure sensors integrated into each injector allow for more accurate fuel injection and work in combination with the new stepped, eggshell piston shape to make combustion more efficient.

Coolant control system: Reducing the flow of coolant around the walls of the combustion chambers improves warm-up efficiency. Rapidly warming the area around the combustion chamber improves ignition and promotes vaporisation of the fuel. It also makes the oil less viscous, reducing mechanical resistance. Improved heating performance helps reduce fuel consumption, improving real-world fuel economy.

High-Precision DE Boost Control: High-Precision DE Boost Control effects more precise control of engine torque response by optimizing boost pressure control and enabling finer adjustment of fuel injection. The engine responds instantly and precisely to accelerator pedal operation under light-load conditions, offering performance that matches the driver’s intentions and strengthens the connection between the driver and car.

Natural Sound Smoother and Natural Sound Frequency Control: The Natural Sound Smoother uses a dynamic damper in each piston pin to minimise piston vibration and reduce engine knock. Natural Sound Frequency Control modulates injection and combustion timing in 0.1ms increments, thereby overlapping the frequency valleys of combustion vibration with the peak frequencies of resonating parts to cancel out the vibration of each and further reduce knock.

NOx Storage Catalyst (NSC) system: This exhaust cleaning system uses a catalyst to capture and store NOx coming from the engine. When it reaches full capacity a rich post-combustion injection is used to convert the NOx back into harmless nitrogen. NCS systems are more efficient that SCR systems at cleaning low-temperature exhaust gases.

ADVANCED SKYACTIV-G 2.0 LITRE GASOLINE ENGINE

The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 is a high-efficiency direct injection gasoline engine which delivers dynamic performance combined with excellent fuel economy. It has been updated to target quicker response, greater fuel efficiency and reduced exhaust-gas toxins.

The lower powered 1,998 cc unit develops 121 PS at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 206 Nm at 2,800 rpm. It combines an average fuel consumption of 6.1-6.2 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 140-141 g/km.

The higher powered unit of the same capacity develops 150 PS at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 206 Nm at 2,800 rpm. It combines an average fuel consumption of 6.7-7.0 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 152-160 g/km.

Additional development goals included the reduction of mechanical friction through piston skirt optimisation, as well as upgrading the piston ring profile. The adoption of a coolant control system for thermal management promotes quicker engine warm-up to reduce fuel consumption.

Engine knock has been controlled and enhanced heat efficiency achieved through the optimisation of the piston top profile and multi-stage injection. And high pressure fuel atomisation from new injectors increases combustion efficiency by preventing fuel adhesion to the combustion chamber walls.

These improvements combine to increase fuel economy and significantly decrease particulate matter exhaust emissions. Increased torque across the rpm range offers a dynamic performance that further strengthens the Jinba Ittai bond between car and driver.

INNOVATIVE SKYACTIV-G 2.0 GASOLINE ENGINE TECHNOLOGIES

Precision manufactured intake ports and a new piston shape: The shape of the intake ports has been carefully crafted to generate a stronger tumble flow during intake. Reducing the height of the piston crowns while optimizing their shape also strengthens tumble flow during the compression stroke and increases turbulence at the time of ignition.

These factors cause the flame to spread faster from the spark plug and combustion is completed more quickly without knocking (irregular combustion). The result is greater torque at low- to mid-range rpm and improved fuel economy at higher rpm.

More efficient fuel injection: The nozzles of the multi-hole fuel injectors were redesigned and fuel pressure increased from 20MPa to 30MPa to realise a faster and more broadly dispersed spray. Fuel is thoroughly vaporised before it adheres to the walls of the cylinder, creating efficient, waste-free combustion.

Three-stage split fuel injection is used when the engine is cold and combustion is more likely to produce particulate matter. This improves vaporisation and atomization of the fuel and reduces particulate matter formation by approximately 80%. The result is excellent environmental performance that conforms to European particulate number regulations that came into effect in 2017.

Coolant control system: A Coolant Control Valve helps prevent heat from escaping while the engine warms up by reducing the flow of coolant around the walls of the combustion chamber to a trickle. Larger amounts of fuel must be injected when the engine is first started because gasoline vaporises less readily in cold temperatures.

Adopting the coolant control system helps the engine to warm up quickly and cuts the necessary fuel increase to half that of the previous SKYACTIV-G 2.0 litre engine, contributing to improved real-world fuel economy.

Optimized oil ring and piston skirt shapes: New asymmetrical oil rings feature a larger outer radius at the top and a smaller radius at the bottom edge. This optimises the thickness of the oil film on the wall of the cylinder as the piston rises and falls, reducing mechanical resistance.

Revised piston skirt curvature creates an ideal barrel shape. The new skirts combine with the asymmetrical oil rings to significantly reduce mechanical resistance, contributing to better fuel economy.

i-ELOOP and i-stop

Every powertrain in the new Mazda CX-3 model range features Mazda’s i-stop idle-stop system. All-wheel drive versions of the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 powertrain with automatic transmission also feature i-ELOOP.

Short for “Intelligent Energy Loop”, i-ELOOP is a pioneering system that stores recovered electricity in an advanced capacitor rather than employing a dedicated battery. The large-capacity electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) captures and stores energy very quickly during the deceleration phase, which typically lasts only 10 seconds.

Used to run the vehicle’s electrical systems, i-ELOOP can improve real-world fuel economy by up to 10% depending on driving conditions.

The i-stop idle-stop system uses combustion energy for restarting the engine, and only requires an electric-powered starter motor to provide a small degree of momentum during the initial restart phase.

DRIVING DYNAMICS

With its new generation vehicle control technology – SKYACTIV-Vehicle Dynamics – Mazda consistently strives to perfect its unique Jinba Ittai – car and driver as one – driving experience, through enhanced driving dynamics, greater ride comfort and shorter stopping distances.

Enhanced Driving Dynamics

The front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension systems have been fine tuned, and G-Vectoring Control (GVC) optimised to improve handing and ride comfort.

New coil springs and dampers have been fitted to both front and rear systems for a better response to changes in weight distribution, greater shock absorption and a more constant spring reaction. The front stabiliser size has also been decreased to improve the CX-3’s roll response to steering inputs.

The characteristics of the electric power steering itself have also been refined to effect a closer match between driver inputs and the vehicle’s reaction.

Greater Ride Comfort and Shorter Stopping Distances

Whilst maintaining the original tyres’ rolling resistance to safeguard fuel economy, the compound and construction of new 215/50R18 low profile tyres has been changed to incorporate a softer side wall. This gives the tyre a softer vertical spring for greater absorption of road surface imperfections and a commensurate improvement in ride quality.

The compound changes to the new tyre also have the benefit of reducing vehicle stopping distance under a range of driving conditions for improved safety.

Improved NVH Performance

Wind and road noise intrusion into the cabin has been reduced by the addition of urethane to the door seam welts, and by increasing the thickness of the front and rear door outer panels, and the rear door glazing.

In addition, an increase in the cabin headliner thickness from six to eight millimetres allows it to absorb more sound and reduce the acoustic echo of the interior volume. This not only improves conversational clarity between all occupants, but also enhances the sound of door closure for a more premium feel.

SAFETY

The Mazda CX-3 combines a lightweight, high-rigidity SKYACTIV-Body with a wide range of advanced i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies. Based on Mazda’s proactive safety philosophy, the latter help drivers identify potential risks and reduce the likelihood of damage or injury.

Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go

Mazda Radar Cruise Control measures the relative speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and automatically controls the engine and brakes to maintain the appropriate vehicle speed and optimal following distance.

The updated MRCC uses both the millimeter-wave radar of the previous system as well as a forward-facing camera. This reduces its minimum operating speed from 30 km/h down to 0 km/h. Available on all models with automatic transmission, the system now works at all speed ranges and can follow the car in front even from a standstill.

When driving with MRCC activated the car will automatically slow down and stop if the vehicle ahead does the same. When the vehicle ahead pulls away, the CX-3 driver controls when the car starts moving again. It will then automatically accelerate and follow the vehicle ahead at the appropriate speed.

Active Safety Features

Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH): ALH incorporates the following features: Auto-controlled Glare-free High Beams, Wide-range Low Beams that illuminate a wider area, and Highway Mode, which automatically raises the headlamp beams when driving at high speeds.

Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS): Advanced SCBS uses a forward-facing camera to detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead and help avoid collisions or mitigate damage in the event one does occur. The system can detect vehicles at speeds of 4 to 80 km/h and pedestrians at 10 to 80 km/h.

Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Detects approaching vehicles from the sides and rear and alerts the driver. RCTA alerts the driver of approaching vehicles when reversing.

Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS): Predicts lane departure and alerts the driver of the danger through sound and vibration alerts

Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR): Reads traffic signs, displays them on the Active Driving Display, and alerts the driver.

Driver Attention Alert (DAA): Reduces the risk of accidents by suggesting rest breaks on detecting driver fatigue or loss of concentration.

Passive Safety Features

The new Mazda CX-3 benefits from all the passive safety features of the previous model, which include a high-strength SKYACTIV body, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bags, seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, front seats which mitigate shock to the neck, rear seats that prevent luggage from entering the cabin, an impact-absorbing steering column, and ISOFIX child seat fastening points.

Source