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TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Mazda Canada Inc. (MCI) today announced official pricing and fuel economy figures for the all-new 2014 Mazda3.  Starting at $15,995 MSRP, the redesigned compact vehicle is the brand's best-selling and most recognizable nameplate worldwide with more than 3.5 million vehicles sold.  With the full complement of SKYACTIV Technology combined with the alluring styling of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language and all-new technologies such as the capacitor-based i-ELOOP regenerative braking system, the 2014 Mazda3 touts exceptional styling and outstanding fuel economy with 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway.

"The compact car segment is one of the largest and most competitive segments in Canada, and shoppers in this segment are discerning consumers who want the best value for their money," said Kory Koreeda, President, Mazda Canada. "We believe that the all-new 2014 is a true game changer in the compact segment, offering a combination of style, performance, and fuel economy that will truly delight our customers."

The Mazda3 was the first Mazda in Canada to feature SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, introducing the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre gasoline engine as well as SKYACTIV manual and automatic transmissions in 2012. On sale in October, the 2014 Mazda3 will be offered with two SKYACTIV engine choices in the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre gasoline engines.  The standard engine on GX trim level becomes the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre, replacing the MZR 2.0-litre engine previously used in the Mazda3 GX. For GT models, the larger SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine is standard equipment and boasts 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm.

The Mazda3 GX is available with either the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmissions.  Even with the entry level pricing, this trim is far from a base model, boasting standard Bluetooth and USB connectivity, push button start, and keyless entry, as well as the full suite of SKYACTIV Technologies. Available as options are air conditioning ($1,600) on the SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission and the SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission ($1,200). Even with a rich array of new standard equipment, the 2014 Mazda3 will be available at the same starting price as the outgoing Mazda3, which is a full $200 less than it was 10 years ago when the Mazda3 debuted in 2003. Other standard equipment includes 4-wheel disc brakes, body-coloured power exterior mirrors, dual sport exhaust, auto-off headlights, audio and Bluetooth steering wheel controls, and more.

Moving up to the mid-level GS trim, which again carries over pricing of $19,695, brings along a whole host of additional standard features, many of which are new to the Mazda3 as well. Some of these features include side-mirror turn indicators, 16" alloy wheels, Mazda Connect human-machine interface (HMI) system featuring a seven-inch full-colour touch screen display, a multi-function commander control for display screen operations, a rearview camera, HD Radio Technology, Aha by HARMAN radio integration, Stitcher internet radio integration, E911 automatic emergency notification and SMS text message receipt and delivery, two USB ports, and 6 speakers. The Mazda3 GS also includes the 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G engine and SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission as standard equipment, with the SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission available as an option.

The new Mazda Connect infotainment system is designed with ergonomics in mind and places the greatest emphasis on driving safety. Expanding on features already delivered on Mazda's new generation products, which include Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone function, mail reception, Internet radio and real-time traffic reports, the new connectivity system from Mazda greatly advances the level of convenience and responds to a far wider range of needs. The Mazda Connect system can be used on its own, or connected to a mobile phone or other mobile device that supports USB audio or Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, it offers a variety of infotainment features accessed from the Internet when connected via Bluetooth to the customer's iPhone or Android-based smartphone.

Fuel economy for the 2.0-litre engine when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission is 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres (L/100km) in the city, and 4.8 L/100km on the highway. When the 2.0-litre engine is paired with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy improves to 6.7 / 4.7 L/100km (city/hwy).

Two optional packages are available for the GS trim level that feature attractive options for consumers. The Convenience Package ($500) offers rain sensing wipers, heated driver and front passenger seats, heated exterior mirrors, leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, leather parking brake, and fully automatic (on/off) headlights. The Moonroof Package ($1,200) adds fog lamps and a power-retractable moonroof.

Finally, the top-tier Mazda3 GT takes things to another level with added performance, luxury, and safety equipment at an MSRP of $25,855, which is reduced from the 2013 GT trim MSRP by $140. The 2.0-litre engine in the GX and GS trims is replaced with the new 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G engine that produces 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is the SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a new Sport mode. By pressing the Sport mode button, the Mazda3 GT offers a more direct response in terms of accelerator feel and a heightened sense of linearity.  All Mazda3 vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission feature a manual shift option but the Sport mode feature adjusts the shift mapping - and to a lesser extent the throttle response - to better match more engaging driving conditions, such as twisty roads.  The transmission will hold gears longer and will not upshift or downshift as often when driving through turns.

The Mazda3 GT includes all equipment from the GS trim with Convenience and Moonroof Packages, and adds even more standard features, including 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon HID headlights with manual leveling and LED light signature, LED tail lights, intelligent proximity key system, voice-activated navigation system, BOSE audio system with 9-speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Mazda's newly developed heads-up display system called Active Driving Display.

"Head-up" displays present information without requiring the driver to look away from the road. The Active Driving Display is the first head-up display to be used in a Mazda vehicle. It uses a mirror to reflect images from a display panel and project them on the combiner, a clear panel vertically mounted atop the back of the instrument cluster hood to achieve minimal visual distraction. The vehicle speed, automatic cruise control speed settings, navigation system turn-by-turn directions, and alerts from the advanced safety systems are displayed in real time along with other important driving information.

Two optional packages are also available for the Mazda3 GT, offering equipment typically reserved for class-above vehicles. The Luxury Package ($1,500) includes leather seats (available in black or white  depending on exterior colour), leather-like door trim, garage door opener, 6-way power driver's seat (recline, lift, fore/aft), manual driver lumbar support, auto dimming inner rear view mirror and leather-like rear console lid.

Opting for the Technology Package brings Mazda's new i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies to the table. The Technology Package includes Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), High Beam Control (HBC), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and i-ELOOP Regenerative Braking System.

Smart City Brake Support is an added safety component designed to assist a driver in reducing the extent of front collisions when traveling at speeds between 2 and 19 miles per hour.  When the imbedded laser sensor detects an obtrusive object ahead of the vehicle and the system calculates there may be a high risk for collision, the brake pedal travel is reduced in order to hasten braking.  Should the driver fail to perform an avoidance maneuver, the SCBS system will activate an automatic braking function.  While the system will not eliminate accidents, its intent is to minimize them and reduce the severity of an impact.

Fuel economy for the GT trim is minimally impacted even with the addition of the 2.5-litre engine which has an additional 29 horsepower and 34 lb-ft of torque compared to the 2.0-litre engine. With 7.2 L/100km in the city, and 5.1 L/100km on the highway, the Mazda3 GT proves that power and fuel economy are not mutually-exclusive characteristics. When equipped with i-ELOOP in the Technology Package, fuel economy is improved even further to 7.1 and 5.0 L/100km (city/hwy).

The 2014 Mazda3 is available with a choice of seven exterior colours: Jet Black Mica, Soul Red Mica (not available on GX), Aluminum Metallic Mica, Meteor Gray Mica, Snowflake White Pearl and the two all-new Mazda shades of Deep Crystal Blue Mica and Titanium Flash Mica.  A choice of Black or Sand cloth seats as well as Black or Off-white leather seats is available based on trim level and exterior colour choice.

Standard safety features for the 2014 Mazda3 includes six airbags (front, side and full side-curtain), whiplash-reducing front headrests, headrests for all seating positions, power-assisted ventilated front and solid rear disc solid brakes, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, daytime running lights, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Launch Assist, a collapsible steering column (following air bag deployment), a trunk entrapment release system, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a keyless remote panic button on the key fob, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 165 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca

SOURCE Mazda Canada Inc.