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Picture Perfect!

The Mazda3 has a sharp new look, but its real beauty is only apparent when you get behind the wheel.

Look closely and you may spot the detail changes on the new Mazda3. The revised face, the improved interior, but there's one thing you won't figure out until you get behind the wheel. It's something Mazda calls Toitsukan. Put simply, it means that the car now embodies all the driving excitement you expect from a Mazda while adding a whole new layer of ride refinement and driveline efficiency.And it doesn't take more than a few seconds in the driver's seat to feel the difference. The new electronic, power assist steering [EHPAS]  is immediately lighter to the touch at slower speeds, and a nimble linearity all the way up to the limits of the car's performance.

Helping consolidate this extra agility is a body that has been substantially reinforced for extra rigidity. Will less body flex the optimized suspension keeps the wheels in better contact with the road and makes for a more controlled and rewarding drive.

The big news, though, is under the hood. The Mazda3 in more fun to drive than ever with its SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre engine, one of Mazda's next generation SKYACTIV engines that ups sophistication and reduces running costs. The Mazda3's high compression, direct?injection engine offers diesel?like gas mileage with gas powered zing.

Rated at 155hp with 148lb ft torque, the SKYACTIV unit provides Mazda-style spirited performance, especially when it's mated with the optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic. It's not only quicker and smoother to react, but also offers a staggering 21 percent efficiency improvement over the current 2.0L with five-speed auto transmission.

Thanks to a clever drive control system, which controls torque generation, this improved gas mileage is not delivered at the expense of the performance. All the throttle and power are there when you want them, just with a lighter thirst.

It will be easy to spot the new 2012 Mazda3 on the road. Just look for the new five point grille, edgier styling and, thanks to Toitsukan, drivers with even bigger smiles on their faces.

             2012 MAZDA3 HAS LANDED

YOU'VE READ HOW IT DRIVES but now it's time to find out what's under the refreshed Mazda3's skin.

Three engines are carried over the 148hp 2.0-litre, 167hp 2.5-litre and the flagship 263hp 2.3-litre- but the big news is the new state of the art next-generation SKYACTIV-G engine.

Producing 155hp, the new 2.0-litre packs ten percent more power thanks to its F1 car-beating 12.0:1 compression ratio.

Thanks to an all-new smoother, more responsive SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission that "locks up" almost instantly, gas mileage is significantly improved.

The 2.0-litre SKYACTIV engine is available with the new "GS-SKY" trim. As before, equipment levels across the Mazda3 are generous. The 2012 Mazda3 launches a new convenience package on GX models that introduces 16-in alloy wheels, Bluetooth hands-free calling and cruise control. A luxurious GS-L package is also available, that adds fog lights and electric leather seats.