HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch in Japan of a special edition of its Mazda Axela (known overseas as the Mazda3). In addition, several models in the Axela range have received upgrades. Sale of the special edition Mazda Axela Sports 20S-SKYACTIV Advanced Style and the upgraded models started today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships throughout Japan.

Mazda Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV Advanced Style	Mazdaspeed Axela

The Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV Advanced Style is based on the Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV and enhanced with features such as leather seats, a leather-wrapped parking brake lever, and cruise control. Additionally, ride quality is improved and noise in the cabin has been further reduced through the use of sound insulation and sound-proof glass. The model's sporty features include a speedometer scaled up to 240km/h and a large rear roof spoiler.

Safety features have also been upgraded, including the employment of Mazda's Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), which alters the direction of the headlights in accordance with vehicle speed and steering movements. In addition, the Rear Vehicle Monitoring system detects vehicles approaching from behind on either side when driving on the highway. Warning signals alert the driver if he or she attempts to change lanes when there is a risk of collision.

With the upgrade to the Axela range, revisions to the fuel management system of the highly efficient SKYACTIV-G 2.0 direct-injection gasoline engine have resulted in improved fuel economy. The Axela Sport 20C-SKYACTIV and 20S-SKYACTIV equipped with 15-inch tires achieve a fuel economy rating of 17.4km/L (JC08 mode test cycle) and qualify for a 75% reduction in both vehicle acquisition and vehicle weight taxes under Japan's eco-car tax reduction program^*1.

The Mazdaspeed Axela is equipped with a powerful MZR 2.3-liter direct-injection turbo engine. Its look has been sharpened up with a new shark fin antenna and gunmetal gray for the aluminum wheels and lower rear bumper.

Main features of the special edition Mazda Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV Advanced Style

Superior high quality interior

• Genuine leather seats and a parking brake lever with genuine leather cover

A quieter cabin

• Sound-proof glass
• Additional acoustic insulation beneath the hood and below the instrument panel
• Thicker sound and vibration padding under the front seats and addition of acoustic insulation below the A-pillar.

Sporty interior and exterior design

• Features the same large rear roof spoiler as the Mazdaspeed Axela (lower section is black)
• 17-inch reflective aluminum wheels
• Speedometer scaled up to 240 km/h

Enhanced safety and comfort

• Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)
• Discharge headlights (bi-xenon)
• Rear Vehicle Monitoring system
• Automatic anti-glare rear view mirror
• 8-way power adjustable driver's seat
• Cruise control

Manufacturer's suggested retail price for the Mazda Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV

• - A separate recycling fee of 13,640 yen is necessary in addition to the price listed above.
• - If the special body color Crystal White Pearl Mica is selected, the price increases by 31,500 yen (including tax).

Main features of the upgraded Mazda Axela

Improved fuel economy of SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine models. Axela Sports with 15-inch tires qualifies for 75% tax reduction.

	Model grade	Tires (inch)	Fuel economy (JC08 mode test cycle)	Tax reduction level*1
Sedan	20C-SKYACTIV 20E-SKYACTIV	15	17.8km/L	50%
	20E-SKYACTIV	16*3	16.4km/L
Sports	20C-SKYACTIV 20S-SKYACTIV	15*3	17.4km/L	75%
	20S-SKYACTIV	16/17*3	16.4km/L	50%

15-inch tires available on more model grades and with a wider range of options

• 15-inch aluminum wheels option now available on the Axela 20C-SKYACTIV
• 15-inch aluminum wheels are available with a wider range of options on the Axela Sedan 20E-SKYACTIV and Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV model grades.

Renewed design for both interior and exterior

• The center cap of the aluminum wheels changed from silver to black.
• Leather wrapped shift knob design is now the same for both the MZR 1.5-liter engine models and the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine models.

A sharp new sporty look inside and out compliments new features of the Mazdaspeed Axela

• Shark fin antenna
• 18-inch gunmetal gray aluminum wheels
• Gunmetal gray rear lower bumper
• Black door mirrors
• Large rear roof spoiler (lower section is black)

Manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the upgraded Mazda Axela

• - For the Sedan model grades, a separate recycling fee of 12,570 yen (models without side & curtain airbags) or 13,120 yen (models with side & curtain airbags) is necessary in addition to the prices listed above.
• - For Sport model grades (including Mazdaspeed Axela), a separate recycling fee of 13,090 yen (models without side & curtain airbags) or 13,640 yen (models with side & curtain airbags) is necessary in addition to the prices listed above.
• - If the special body color Crystal White Pearl Mica is selected, the price increases by 31,500 yen (including tax).

• *1: Japan's eco-car tax reduction program based on the taxation system revision for the fiscal year ending March 2013
• *2: Model in the attached photo
• *3: The 16-inch tires for the Axela Sedan 20E-SKYACTIV and 15-inch and 17-inch tires for the Axela Sport 20S-SKYACTIV model grades are available as optional.