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Mazda 3 Has an Upgrade and Delivers Lower Fleet and Company Car Bills

The upgraded Mazda 3 which is due to go on sale early next year will benefit fleet operators and company car drivers with financial savings.

The new range features 16 standard models with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines with three power outputs, and for the first time the line-up will include a Mazda 3 1.6 Sport Diesel which Mazda hope will find favour with fleet operators and company car drivers alike.

The combined CO2 emissions have been cut by up to 3.5 percent depending on the model, alongside improvements in fuel consumption, which means a reduction in fuel bills and savings in benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for company car drivers. For the fleet operators this will mean a lower Vehicle Excise Duty and National Insurance Payments.

The new 1.6 Sport Diesel and 1.6 Sport Nav Diesel will cost £19095 and £19,945 on the road which gives a 30 percent residual value at three years/60,000 miles CAP forecasting experts (December 2011). This model offers a competitive CO2 emissions of (115g/km), combined cycle fuel economy of 65.7mpg and a specification that includes a Bose audio system, 17 inch alloy wheels, side skirts and heated front seats. The CO2 figure means that the new model will fall within the lowest BIK bracket for diesel models (13%) in 2011/2012.

The upgraded Mazda 3 2.2 Sport Diesel (150ps) and £21,195 2.2 Sport Nav Diesel (185ps) each drop a company car BIK tax bracket after Mazda engineering development work.

The 150ps model now emits 139g/km – reduced from 144g/km – putting the model into the 20 percent tax bracket in 2011/12, while the 185ps model also benefits from a 5g/km emissions drop to 144g/km putting it in the 21 percent tax bracket in 2011/12.

Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director Steve Jelliss said: “The Mazda3 has more potential in the fleet sector and the upgrade will further boost demand.

“Improvements in emissions as well as fuel economy on most models have been coupled with the addition of a new 1.6 Sport Diesel model.  This, alongside Mazda’s established core fleet strengths of excellent vehicle reliability, strong residual values and fun-to-drive characteristics, means Mazda3′s corporate appeal has been strengthened even further.”

On the road prices for the Upgraded Mazda3 range start at £14,995 for the entry-level 1.6 S and top out at £23,395 for the flagship 2.3 MPS. The range offers a choice of six trim levels – S, TS, TS², TS² Nav, Sport and Sport Nav – as well as from launch the special edition 1.6 Tamura and 1.6D Tamura.

The new upgraded range has been given a more muscular visual appeal with a revised rear bumper and new twist-spoke alloy wheel design and a new front end design. They have also used new materials and colours on the inside and improved the ease-of-use for the driver and a quieter cabin for all to enjoy.

Every upgraded Mazda 3 has been equipped with a comprehensive range of active and passive safety equipment, plus a generous standard specification, the entry level S model has also been given air-conditioning and electric front windows, plus front side and curtain airbags.

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