Mazda meets safety demands of car buyers

Mazda shown to be at the forefront of offering crash prevention safety features on its new cars

Crash prevention technologies are critical to fleet decision-makers and new car buyers and Mazda is at the forefront of offering such features on its most recently launched models – the popular Mazda6 and the Mazda CX-5 SUV crossover.

An independent survey of 1,000 UK new car buyers by website CarSafetyRules.com revealed that 96.5 percent of consumers believe that new accident prevention technologies will make driving safer, with almost 40 percent saying the technologies would improve safety considerably.

eSafety systems such as autonomous emergency braking and pre-crash alerts were the two technologies survey respondents said they would most like on their next new car.

Fleet operators choosing cars equipped the new wave of eSafety technologies that assist drivers in an emergency and provide vital information and warnings to help avoid crash situations occurring, are benefiting from fewer incidents and therefore lower insurance premiums and reduced business disruption.

Additionally, even if a crash does occur the severity of the incident is likely to be reduced due to the array of safety features built into the vehicle. As a result, injuries to vehicle occupants can be expected to be less severe and vehicle repair bills will be lower.

Fitted as standard across the Mazda CX-5 range, which is available from £21,395 on-the-road, is life-saving Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Known by Mazda as ‘Smart City Brake Support’, the technology is also available as standard on all-new Mazda6 SE-L and Sport models.

Major European vehicle safety organisation Euro NCAP last year highlighted the Mazda CX-5 – already rated as one of the best performers in its safety tests after receiving its top five-star rating for occupant and pedestrian protection – for being at the forefront of its drive to equip all models with AEB.

Now Mazda has gone further by incorporating the technology in its recently launched all-new Mazda6 range, which is available from £19,595 on-the-road.

Typically available on more expensive luxury cars, real world performance data suggests AEB systems can reduce accidents by up to 27 percent, according to Euro NCAP.

‘Smart City Brake Support’ operates at speeds of up to 19mph and uses a laser sensor to detect a vehicle in front of the car. If the driver fails to slow the vehicle appropriately, or to take avoiding action, the system automatically activates the brakes and reduces the engine output at the same time. That helps to avoid collisions or mitigate the damage from rear-end collisions at low speeds, which are among the most common accidents.

The all-new Mazda6 and CX-5 also feature Mazda’s SKYACTIV-Body, which in addition to offering major fuel savings and emission reducing features versus competitor models, means they have a highly rigid structure. In the event of a crash the straight and continuous body lines absorb the load by dispersing it in multiple directions, thus greatly improving the overall safety of occupants.

Standard safety equipment highlights on the Mazda CX-5 include front and rear parking sensors, Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System, Hill Hold Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, dual front and front side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags; driver, passenger and rear-seat audible seatbelt reminder warning, ISOFIX child seat anchorage, daytime running lights and integrated Bluetooth system on SE-L grade models; while Sport grade models add bi-Xenon headlights, Active Front Lighting and a reversing camera.

The Mazda6, like its stable mate, is equipped with a full range of advanced and innovative class-leading safety technologies, helping drivers to recognise and effectively avoid potential hazards. Standard safety features on the all-new Mazda6 include six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchorage, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Hill Hold Assist, Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System.

On selected all-new Mazda6 and CX-5 models, an array of other safety-related technologies are available as standard as well as the optional £700 (VAT inclusive) Safety Pack which includes, Rear Vehicle Monitoring via a door mirror-mounted warning light and audible alert; Lane Departure Warning via an audible warning and High Beam Control to give improved night vision.

Mazda Head of Fleet Steve Tomlinson said: Safety is a fundamental issue for all drivers whether selecting their new company car or buying a vehicle privately. Mazda is ahead of many other manufacturers in terms of making vital safety-focused technology accessible.”

He added: Cost reduction is an agenda-topping issue for fleet decision-makers. Introducing new company cars equipped with the latest safety features is essential as a reduction in incidents and accident severity will deliver financial savings, for example lower repair bills and insurance premium savings and improved business efficiency.”