Driving The New Mazda3 Astina Plus

Surreptitious, like a James Bond spy car, the new Mazda3 Astina two litre seemed to acknowledge my presence as I approached its glinting, sensuous bodywork.

Like the James Bond movie Skyfall, the new Mazda3 incorporates SKYACTIV Technology and then just to add super to the superfluous the new Mazda3 Astina introduces SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS.

This is as eye widening as some of the gismos that 007 is given by Vice Admiral Sir Miles Messervy, also known affectionately as M. Mazda describes it as follows, "This is a series of new-generation vehicle motion control technologies that provide integrated control of the engine, transmission, chassis and body to enhance the vehicle's Jinba-Ittai; a sense of connectedness between car and driver that distinguishes Mazda vehicles."

I describe it as WOW! The sensation of the G-Vectoring Control, or GVC as Mazda's version of M calls it, will be a completely new sensation for some drivers who have not experienced it yet. This system controls engine torque using inputs from steering and acceleration around corners to produce a wondrous effect.

However beyond the enhanced interior and amazing drive performance the Mazda3, which is also available in a 1.6 litre motor, has a long list of safety features including Smart City Brake Support, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Alert, Blind Sport Monitoring and Adaptive LED Headlights.

So treat yourself to a test drive in this awesome model from CMH Mazda Umhlanga, call them on 031 - 502 5565 and hear about their amazing warranties and service plans and roadside assist and so much more. Visit their showroom at 89 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe.

G-Vectoring Control system (GVC) - 2.0L Models only

The G-Vectoring Control was born of Mazda's human-centered development philosophy and the novel idea of using the engine to enhance chassis performance. It is the world's first control system to vary engine torque in response to steering inputs in order to provide integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces and optimize the vertical load on each wheel for smooth and efficient vehicle motion.

G-Vectoring Control detects steering inputs and slightly restricts engine torque output to shift vehicle weight forward slightly, adding more down force to the front tyres. A handling aid that aims to make racecar-like cornering precision something that every driver can enjoy, it leads to more direct handling and swifter reactions from the car which are interpreted more readily and accurately by the 'human body' - the driver - in control.

Advanced Safety Features - Astina Plus only

Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) - Astina Plus only

ALH has three major functions; glare-free High Beam, wide-range Low Beam and Highway mode. Glare-free High Beam recognises leading and oncoming cars, and turns off selected LEDs to avoid dazzling other drivers. When driving at speeds below 40km/h, the wide-range Low Beam expands distribution of light to increase driver's visibility. Highway mode functions at speeds over 95km/h, increasing the distance low beam can illuminate the road behind a leading car, by controlling the axis of light.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) - Astina Plus only

The Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) detects line marking on the road surface and warns the driver of unintentional lane departures. This system is particularly effective in situations where the road is continuously straight and drivers have a tendency to not pay sufficient attention to the road. When the lane change is accompanied by turn signal operation or acceleration, the system recognises the maneuver as intentional and does not sound an alarm.

Lane Keep Assist (LKA) - Astina Plus only

The functionality of Lane Departure Warning which creates an audible alert when the vehicle is about to stray from current lane is further enhanced by LKA which adds a slight amount of torque to steer the vehicle back into the lane (operates at speeds over 65km/h).

Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Astina Plus only

The Smart City Brake Support system (SCBS) is a safety feature that helps prevent or lesson low speed impacts. The system monitors the vehicle in front to assess the possibility of a collision at forward speeds of 4-80km/h. In an event that the system detects a high risk of impact, it then issues visual and audible warnings and primes the brakes for a faster response should the driver brake.

Driver Attention Alert (DAA) - Astina Plus only

DAA is designed to reduce accidents caused by inattentiveness due to driver fatigue. The system is activated at speeds above 65 km/h and begins to "learn" the driver's habits, watching inputs and the vehicle's movements in the early stages before fatigue is a factor. Later, if the system detects changes in vehicle behaviour that suggests the driver may be losing concentration, it will suggest a rest stop by sounding a chime and displaying a warning in the Multi-Information.

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) - Also available on the Astina

The Blind Spot Monitoring gives off an audible alert in the event that a vehicle is detected in the vehicles blind spot. It assists the driver by scanning the external mirror's blind spots. The radar is able to detect any unseen vehicles and through an LED icon alert the driver to help avoid making a hazardous lane changes.

Model Lineup and Pricing

Mazda3 1.6L Original Manual 4Dr/5Dr - R253,400 / R258,900 (Incl. VAT)

* Maximum power: 77kW

* Maximum torque: 144Nm

* Power Windows

* Air-conditioning

* Instrument panel light dimmer

* Cloth trim

* Trip computer

* One touch window for driver

* Audio controls on steering wheel

* Radio / CD / AUX / USB

* Bluetooth

* 4 speakers

* Seat-belt warning (Front)

* 3-pt seatbelts for all seats

* ISOFix

* Rear folding seats (60:40) (Hatch only)

* R16 Steel wheels

* 6 airbags ABS / EBD / EBA

* Remote central locking

* Keyless start

* Tilt & telescopic steering adjustment

Mazda3 1.6L Active Manual 4Dr/5Dr - R266,300 / R271,800 (Incl VAT)

* Front LED fog lamps

* Map reading spot lamps

* 6 speakers

* Overhead sunglass storage

* R16 Alloys Wheels

* Illuminated vanity mirrors

* 7-inch display MZD connect system

Mazda3 1.6L Dynamic Manual 4Dr/5Dr - R279,400 / R284,900 (Incl VAT)

Auto 1.6L - R290,400 / R295,900 (Incl VAT)

* Auto on/off headlamps

* Leather handbrake handle

* Rain-sensing wipers

* Power fold mirrors

* Leather steering wheel

* Rear Spoiler (Sedan)

* Auto Dimming Rear-view mirror

* Leather Gearshift Selector

* Leather Seats

Mazda3 2.0L Individual Manual 4Dr/5Dr - R326,400 / R331,900 (Incl VAT)

Auto 2.0L - R338,400 / R343,900 (Incl VAT)

* Maximum power: 121kW

* Maximum torque: 210Nm

* Advanced keyless entry

* Dynamic Stability Control

* Hill Launch Assist

* G-Vectoring Control

* Power sliding and tilt glass sunroof

* i-stop

* Cruise Control

* Auto Shift Switch / Paddle-shift (Auto models only)

Mazda3 2.0 Astina Auto 4Dr/5Dr - R372,900 / R378,400 (Incl VAT)

* Reverse Camera

* Integrated Navigation

* Active Driving Display

* Power Lumber Support (Driver Only)

* BOSE Sound System

* 9 Speakers

* Dual-zone Climate Control

* 8-way Power Adjusting Seat (Driver Only)

* Blind Spot Monitoring

* Analog Tachometer

* Parking Sensors (Rear)

* R18 Alloy Wheels

Mazda3 2.0 Astina Plus Auto 4Dr/5Dr - R402,400 / R407,900 (Incl VAT)

* Adaptive LED Headlights

* Daytime Running Lights

* Lane Departure Warning

* Lane Keep Assist System

* Smart City Brake Support (Front and Rear)

* Driver Attention Alert