A sporty cockpit that improves functional beauty

The new "zone layout" approach focuses on improving visibility and more intuitive controls which provide "a sense of the car and driver as one" and "a reassuring sense of confidence that frees the driver to concentrate on driving." First, the Mazda 3 development team integrated the information display and positioned it towards the front in the optimal "zone." This placed the information necessary while driving where it can be seen with the least amount of eye movement. Next, the engineers placed all the controls and switches within a single "zone" closer to the driver's hands. Designing the cockpit with controls and information display in separate zones frees the driver to concentrate on driving.

    See also:

    Class-leading aerodynamics
    We adopted a new approach, called "airflow management," to optimally control the flow of air. Conventional car designs create a large amount of drag, a loss that adversely affects aerody ...

    Driving In Flooded Area
    WARNING: Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly and applying the brakes lightly until brake performance returns to normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the ...

    The Inside
    Here's where the Mazda5's small size catches up with it. When compared to larger minivans, there's just not a lot of extra space behind the front bucket seats. The Mazda5 does, however, make effic ...