OMG! Mazda 3 will read out email and social updates

The new version of Australia’s favourite car will be able to read out email messages, Facebook and Twitter updates and tune into 40,000 internet radio stations. To combat the potential for driver distraction the new Mazda3 will also be available with a radar system that automatically slams the brakes in slow-moving traffic if the driver does not brake in time.

Such technology has typically been exclusive to luxury cars but its availability on a mass-market vehicle will likely reignite debate over driver distraction technology. However Mazda’s chief product planner says the new levels of connectivity will not distract drivers.

“More and more people would like to enjoy [social media] while driving, but in the worse case they are looking at their smartphone,” said Ryuichi Umeshita. “In order to minimise that distraction we are showing that information in the car.”

The email and social media functions are displayed on a screen in the centre of the dashboard. Mazda says it deliberately chose not to display “non-driving” information in the heads-up display that is reflected in the driver’s line of sight.

“We believe it would be more dangerous to show that information all the time,” said Umeshita. Mazda says it has taken other safety measures, too. Most of the social media functions can only be controlled by voice when the car is on the move -- or via a touch screen on the dash when the car is stopped.

The new Mazda3 range is due in showrooms early next year priced from about $20,000, although Mazda Australia has foreshadowed a price rise. “Price is not a key issue for this car,” said Mazda Australia boss Martin Benders. “Plenty of people want it. You won’t see a $19,990 price on the new model. It is a step up and it will get the price it deserves.”

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling