In case you missed it, one of the most anticipated new cars in 2019 has just dropped in: the all-new 2020 Mazda3. After months of being MIA from distributor Bermaz Auto Philippines’s line-up, it’s back with two engine choices, two body styles, and five variants.

Now, you’d think that everything has already been said about Mazda’s first-generation model, but in reality, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. See, the Mazda3 is essentially a gift that keeps on giving, and spending a little time for a brief drive is enough to unlock even more goodies.

A few meters into the drive, and a flick of the signal indicators, we felt that there’s something different in here. At first, we couldn’t place it, but after a few more times of using the signal lights, it’s dawned on us: they sound different.

True enough, when we asked Mazda Philippines’s Senior Manager for Marketing, Mikko David he did confirm that Mazda has come up with a new set of chimes specifically for the Mazda3. This is something which was explained further in the press material:

To further enhance the interface between man and machine, the all-new Mazda3 features an intuitive warning system designed to help drivers understand problem situations quickly and accurately with minimal stress.  

Audible alerts which utilize a new set of chimes are designed to help the driver intuitively grasp the level of urgency and the source of the issue. The type and number of repetitions and audible alerts were carefully selected, and the sounds used were designed in accordance with human characteristics. Warning emanating from the front speakers are designed to urge drivers to check the gauge display while warnings of the possibility of rear end collision sound off from the rear speakers.  

Visual alerts go hand in hand with audible tones in order to inform the driver of necessary information. Gauges that are regularly checked while driving have been designed to display warnings in a simple and timely manner. The Mazda Connect monitor then shows the driver a more detailed and clear explanation of the issue and tells the driver how he should respond.

Talk about being obsessive-compulsive! It’s just amazing how Mazda could go into this level of detail, tweaking the chimes and audible/visual warnings just to make everything more human-centric.