It's a little more than just a nip-and-tuck, says Mazda SA marketing manager Doreen Mashinini, as the facelifted-for-2012 Mazda3 hatch and sedan make their appearance on the South African market this week.
In addition to revised plastic front and rear, and new 16” and 17” rims, the suspension and steering have been tightened up and the instrument panel has been updated to reduce eye movement.
The corners of the front bumper now have larger panels around the air-inlets and new round fog lights embedded in their lower sections, with a more protruding lower front lip - which not only make it look more assertive, but also improve the aerodynamics.
The rear bumper on the five-door hatch is 30mm slimmer than on the outgoing model and the reflectors are closer to the side panels, making the car look wider and allowing easier loading of the luggage compartment.
To reduce the amount of eye-movement it takes to use the car's onboard system, the ergonomics boffins replaced the silver finish of the centre stack with plain black and ringed the dials and controls that are used most by the driver in brighter satin-polished silver that's easier to see.
The graphics of the multi-information display and the liquid-crystal trip data screen in the instrument panel have been changed from red to white, to make them easier to see, and the two major dial now also have continuously lit white graphics.
The Original and Active trim levels also have new seat upholstery, in black with a three-dimensional, wavy cross-thread pattern.
NUTS AND BOLTS
There's a new brace bar across the front of the body to stiffen up the steering and front suspension, the suspension settings (front and rear) have been revised and the electric power steering has been updated with new pump-flow settings.
Finally, a new B-frame under the floor (0.7mm thicker than the old one) has more spot welds on a reinforced joining area, to keep the body stiffer under stress, thus also reducing perceived road noise, together with increased floor damping material.
As before, the Mazda3 range offers a choice of three engines and four trim levels.
The MZR 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve engine produces 77kW at 6000rpm 145Nm at 4000rpm, the MZR two-litre is good for 110kW at 6500 revs and 187Nm at 4000rpm, and the MZR 2.5-litre is rated at 122kW at 6000rpm and 227Nm at 4000rpm.
The base-level Original specification manual air-conditioning, a single-disc CD player with MP3 capability, front power windows with one-touch operation for driver and keyless entry. Antilock brakes with electronic brake-pressure distribution and dual airbags are standard.
The Active version adds an ambient temperature display, an overhead console with sunglass holder and power windows with one-touch operation on the driver's side, as well as side and curtain airbags and a wide-angle mirror.
The Dynamic trim level offers more safety and convenience features such as on/off auto headlights, sliding centre console with leather armrest, rain-sensing front wipers, multi-info display, multifunction steering wheel, power folding mirrors, and keyless entry and start.
The Individual specification tops the range with automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, interactive interior lighting, a power sliding glass roof with keyless control and one-touch operation.
Each Mazda 3 comes with a four-year or 120 000km warranty, a five-year or 90 000km service plan and three years' roadside assistance. Service intervals are 15 000km
PRICES
Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic - R244440
Mazda3 2.0 Individual - R288920
Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Original - R210 650
Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Active - R225 280
Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Dynamic - R244 440
Mazda3 Sport 2.5 Individual - R297 950
Mazda3 2.3 DISI Turbo MPS - R342 090