2015 Mazda 3 CKD, 6 And CX-5 Facelifts Due For April Launches, Sources Say

Oh yes, April 2015 is going to be a very busy month for the automotive industry, and post-GST, Bermaz has been reported to be very much involved in it all.

Our sources have just let us in on a bit of information that is believed to confirm the arrival of three new vehicle launches from the official Mazda distributor:

• Mazda 3 CKD (Sedan and Hatch)
• Mazda 6 Facelift
• Mazda CX-5 Facelift

2015 Mazda 3 CKD:

Just yesterday, we showed you a snippet of the Mazda 3’s initial spec sheet that has leaked its way on to the interwebs, and after a bit of snooping around, we’ve managed to uncover a few more details about the coming model and its siblings – note that these aren’t official details, so best be waiting until Bermaz opens up themselves before placing any orders.

PRICES: For the Mazda 3 CKD, our source tells us that prices for the sedan are estimated to be RM105k for the mid-spec variant, and RM120k for the high-spec version. The hatchback M3 will be priced closer to the high-spec sedan, but will offer fewer features than the sedan – sort of placing itself between the two sedan options. Prices for the hatch are also rumoured to be near the RM120k mark.

SPEC: We’ve been told that the Mazda 3 CKD mid-spec (RM105k est.) will feature very similar features to the current CBU from Japan model which retails for RM139k, but won’t come with a sunroof. The high-spec variant, as seen in the leaked document yesterday, will benefit from a Head-Up Display, Commander Control feature, i-Active Sense suite, full leather seats and more.

The hatchback will feature fewer features than the high-spec sedan, but certainly more than the mid-spec. From the leaked document, it looks like a healthy serving of 18-inch alloys, Bi-Xenon headlamps, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), shift paddles and more, but no leather seats :(

2015 Mazda 6 Facelift:

Sources tell us that Bermaz will be launching the new Mazda 6 (CBU) around the same time the 3 CKD and CX-5 make their debuts here. Local-assembly (CKD) for the model is expected to begin much later in the year, but when the CKD Mazda 6 does come, you can bet on it shaking up the current crop of D-segmenters.

Reworked inside and out for the 2014 LA Auto Show late last year, it looks to us that Bermaz is wasting no time in delivering its facelifted Mazda 6 sedan to Malaysians – and yes, sources suggest that a Touring variant will continue to be offered here.

Keeping its line-up of 2.0 and 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engines and SkyActiv-DRIVE six-speed auto transmissions won’t be any surprise, but elsewhere, there’s a lot to savour.

Outside, we saw the new M6 at the LA Show to feature a new front grille design, new headlamps and taillights, a shark-fin antenna and two new body colours to choose from: Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica.

Inside, the Mazda 6 benefits from a new dashboard that now features the brand’s latest MZD Connect infotainment system, a seven-inch touchscreen and a Command Controller rotary dial on the center console.

We remember Mazda revealing that a lot more effort has been put into its new 6 to reduce Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) by 10% on rough roads, and 25% on highways – these are all benefits of the Mazda 6 which make a world of difference, but don’t always scream the loudest on a brochure, so do take note.

Being one of the earlier vehicles to have come from the brand’s recent uprising, the Mazda 6has also been updated to feature the latest version of the i-ACTIVESENSE suite of safety features: Lane-Keep Assist System, Driver Attention Alert, and more. Again, if or not these will make it to the Malaysian spec car is anyone’s guess, but we wouldn’t be too surprised if they did.

Unfortunately, local assembly of the Mazda 6 hasn’t been included to Bermaz’s public “to-do” list, so the car will still be a CBU unit coming to us from Japan.

2015 Mazda CX-5 Facelift

As expected, sources have confirmed to us that Bermaz will be launching its facelifted hit CX-5 in April. The new mid-size SUV is the first Mazda to feature the brand’s new KODO Soul of Motion design language and philosophy, and like the Mazda 6 facelift, will benefit from an update to keep up with the times.

Like the 6, exterior design has been refreshed, and it’s the same case with the interior benefiting from a new dash design, MZD Connect, better NVH levels, and so much more.

A whole new array of driver assistance systems were unveiled for the CX-5 at the LA Auto Show last year, like Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane-Keep Assist System and so much more – but again, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether these things come to Malaysia or not.

It’s going to be an exciting April, 2015

Needless to say, post GST April is shaping up to be a massive month for the auto industry, and Bermaz is wasting no time.

Which Mazda will you be visiting at a showroom come April, then?