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.

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