MAZDA RECEIVES MULTIPLE 'TOP SAFETY PICK+' DISTINCTIONS FROM INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently redesigned and featuring the Mazda-developed SKYACTIV®¹ TECHNOLOGY, the 2014 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 today earned a "Top Safety Pick+" distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  Only 22 vehicles earned a Top Safety Pick+ award, with the Mazda brand garnering the second-highest number of safety honors.

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"A redesign is not simply a matter of changing a vehicle's sheet metal draping but involves dramatically altering its insides, outsides and everything in between to make that vehicle not only look great but be more efficient, more powerful and, most importantly, safer," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  "With our new fleet of SKYACTIV vehicles, the 2014 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 were created to be the best in their segments from fuel economy and safety to dynamics and performance, and having earned Top Safety Pick+ distinctions is further proof to their success."

New criteria were administered by the IIHS this year.  A Top Safety Pick award requires a "Good" performance in the Institute's moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and, for the first time, requires "Good" or "Acceptable" performance in the small overlap front test that was introduced in 2012.  The same level of performance in those tests, along with at least a "Basic" rating for front crash prevention, is required for the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+.

Ratings for the five crash impact tests are Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor.  Ratings for crash prevention are Superior, Advanced, Basic and NA (not applicable).  The 2014 Mazda3 and CX-5 both earned a Good rating for all crash impact tests and an Advanced rating for front crash prevention.  The 2014 Mazda6 also received an Advanced rating for front crash prevention and a rating of Good for all crash impact tests while earning a grade of Acceptable in the small overlap test.  For more information on these ratings, visit www.iihs.org.

All-new from the ground up for the 2014 model year, the Mazda3 compact car and Mazda6 mid-size sedan both feature an exceptional level of standard equipment and also offer unexpected features within their segments with all-new safety and in-car technologies.  This includes the capacitor-based regenerative engine braking system known as i-ELOOP and MAZDA CONNECT™, a next-generation driving-focused in-vehicle connectivity system that also features an innovative Active Driving Display.  While MAZDA CONNECT is currently only available on the Mazda3, i-ELOOP is a segment-exclusive technology for both the Mazda3 and Mazda6.

Available in two body styles, pricing for Mazda3 starts at $16,945² MSRP for four-door models and $18,945 MSRP for five-doors.  Featuring a standard SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine (155 horsepower, 150 lb-ft of torque) or optional SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter (184 horsepower, 185 lb-ft of torque), 2.0L models can be configured with either a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic.  Models with the 2.5L are currently only available with the automatic.  The manual transmission has been confirmed to be offered on 2.5L models at a later date.  Both engine displacements are available for either body style.  Mazda3 also offers an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of up to 41 mpg, one of the best in the segment.

The 2014 Mazda6 starts at $20,990 MSRP and is currently equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5L engine, and can be paired with either the manual or automatic transmission.  Similar to its fuel-efficient smaller sibling, Mazda6 offers best-in-class highway fuel economy with an EPA estimate of up to 40 mpg³.

Redesigned for the 2013 model year, CX-5 was the first Mazda to feature the full suite of SKYACTIV technologies and the all-new design language known as KODO "Soul of Motion".  Starting at $21,395 MSRP, the CX-5 also offers an EPA-rated best-in-class highway fuel economy amongst its non-hybrid competitors.  CX-5 is available with either the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L or 2.5L engine and can be had equipped with either transmissions.

All vehicles feature a suite of active-safety pre-crash detection systems collectively known as i-ACTIVSENSE.  These technologies use sensing devices such as milliwave radars and cameras to support the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions and minimizing damage should accidents occur.  While these systems will not eliminate accidents, their intent is to minimize them and reduce the severity of a crash.

The features available under i-ACTIVSENSE for North America are:

• High Beam Control – The system automatically switches the headlamps between high and low beams.
• Blind Spot Monitoring – This safety confirmation system detects objects located in blind-spot areas to the sides and rear of the vehicle and issues a visual alert within the outside mirrors for the driver to see.  Should the turn signal be on for the direction in which the "blind" object is located, audible beeps will alert the driver.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert – Using the same sensor as Blind Spot Monitoring, this system detects and informs the driver of any vehicle approaching from the side while the driver is reversing out of a parking space.
• Lane Departure Warning System – This system monitors the lane markings on the road and issues a warning to the driver when it predicts that the vehicle is going to depart from its lane unintentionally.
• Forward Obstruction Warning – This system monitors the road ahead and issues both audible and visual alerts to help the driver take evasive action when it determines a high risk of collision to exist.  FOW operates when traveling between speeds of 9 and 92 mph.
• Smart City Brake Support – When traveling at speeds of less than 19 mph, SCBS helps prevent or minimize a collision with a vehicle.  Should the imbedded laser sensor detect an object, 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 system will activate an automatic braking function.
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control – The system determines the difference in speed and distance to the vehicle in front and will automatically adjust the cruising speed in order to maintain a safe distance. (Not available on CX-5.)
• Adaptive Front-lighting System – Optimizes distribution of light from the headlights in accordance to driving circumstances.  Depending on vehicle speed and steering input, AFS turns the low-beam headlights up to 15 degrees into the direction the driver intends to travel.

About IIHS
Founded in 1959, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, non-profit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage that result from crashes on the nation's highways and roads.  The Institute, along with affiliate the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), supports highway safety efforts and accident prevention through vehicle crash safety tests as well as consumer education, such as driver behavior and roadway designs. For more information, visit www.iihs.org.

About Mazda North American Operations
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

¹ SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation (MC).

² Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRP does not include $795 destination charge (Alaska $840), title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

³ 2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring models equipped with 6-speed automatic and i-ELOOP.  Sport and Touring models are not available with i-ELOOP and are EPA-estimated to achieve 37 highway mpg (6-speed manual) or 38 highway mpg (6-speed automatic). Actual fuel economy will vary based on driving habits and road conditions.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations