The Mazda3 has won another industry award.
Well known for its good value new cars, the Japanese manufacturer has found widespread acclaimed with its latest version of the Mazda3 and this time the C-segment hatchback has picked up a 'Red Dot Award: Product Design 2014' in Germany.
Mazda is still celebrating being shortlisted as one of the top three finalists for both 2014 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) crown – one of the most prestigious titles in the industry – and 2014 World Car Design of the Year crown.
This time, a 40-person panel of designers picked the all-new Mazda3 for its superb design innovation, functionality and ergonomics. The company's KODO-Soul of Motion design theme must be popular with the panel as the Mazda3 follows the path of the Mazda6, which won the Red Dot accolade in 2013.
Mazda states KODO embodies the brand's vitality and is an ideal foil for its revolutionary SKYACTIV technology. These two design pillars are at the heart of the Mazda3 and make it as uncompromisingly efficient and fun-to-drive as it is stunning to look at.
"The C-segment makes up one-quarter of the passenger car market in Europe, which puts into perspective how special we wanted to make the all-new Mazda3 and how appealing it needs to be from the very first moment people lay their eyes on it," said Peter Birtwhistle, chief designer at Mazda's European R&D Centre.
He added the recognition the car has received so far is not only of a critical nature, but it also reflects the way the Mazda3 raises expectations with potential buyers – something it is entirely capable of fulfilling.
The Mazda3 went on sale across the UK in January and has already become one of the manufacturer's most popular versions in the model's 11-year, 4 million unit-selling history.
Mazda will find out if the car can win the WCOTY title on 17th April at the New York International Auto Show.
Posted by Emma Grange