We are Drivers

We are Drivers

The Secret to Mazda’s Jinba Ittai Driving? Driving Position!

Mazda believes that the “ideal driving position” is key to the driver’s safety and the exhilaration of driving. This is because using the correct driving posture enables the driver to have better control of a vehicle and enjoy enhanced driving stability. In short, Mazda’s Jinba Ittai driving is entrenched in its commitment to the driving position.

 The most important factor in Mazda’s “ideal driving position” is the driver’s posture. Despite the ever-changing circumstances on the road, the driver’s body should be relaxed and tension-free so that the body remains flexible and is physically “ready” for the next move. 

Mazda focused on an astronaut floating around space in zero gravity. When there is no force on human muscles, each joint naturally bends at a certain angle. The angle inspired Mazda’s engineers to work on seat adjustments and the driving operation device layout in order to seat drivers of different heights, weights and build without tension in their body muscles and joints.

Another critical factor in making the driver take a “naturally relaxed driving position” is the pedal layout. Driving is no fun, or worse, dangerous if the vehicle fails to respond to the driver’s operation. What Mazda did was to create a pedal layout for the driver to naturally stretch his or her legs, assisted by a telescopic (tilt) steering wheel function for making the driver feel perfectly at ease and confident behind the wheels regardless of his/her size and build.

For those who appreciate the fun of driving, a word of wisdom from Mazda – when you get inside a car to drive, make sure you sit deep so that your back is fully rested against the seat back. Put your left foot on the foot rest, and your right heel on a space between the accelerator and the brake pedal. Use the seat slide so that the ball of your right foot touches the accelerator pedal. This gives you the ideal driving position as defined by Mazda.

Even for the compact Mazda2 with a smaller interior space, Mazda has not made a single compromise on its ideal driving position. The next time you drive your Mazda, remember the ideal driving position to thoroughly enjoy Mazda’s Jinba Ittai driving – driving that is so fun, exhilarating and liberating it brings a big smile on your face!

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