Reports have confirmed that the Mazda 3 will be introduced at the upcoming LA Motor Show later this month. A fresh teaser image that was released by the company also confirmed that a Fastback variant of the car is on the cards too.
The fourth generation model is first expected to enter the UK market in 2019 featuring a new petrol engine. This could also be a hint at the company's plans in completely phasing out diesel engine models from its line-up.
We could not help but notice the similarities that the car in the new teaser image sported with the KAI concept car that the company showcased at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. “We have a recent history of not just producing concepts for concepts' sake,” he said. “So yes, manufacturing tolerances and techniques have been incorporated into this project since the very beginning.” Said Mazda Europe design director Kevin Rice.
Mazda claims that the upcoming model will hit the right notes in terms of quality as the company looks to come neck to neck with premium performers such as Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class. Other than the exterior tweaks we also expect the new model to enjoy new mechanics.
The next Mazda 3 will be the first model in the company's line-up to be based on its all-new SkyActiv Vehicle Architecture. The new platform calls for a low, sporty seating position. However, the platform's real party trick is the radical new engine technology that will make its debut.
Mazda will be replacing the heart of the car with the new SkyActiv-X engine, a new internal combustion petrol set-up that features Mazda's new Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SCCI). Mazda claims that the new engine will deliver petrol-like performance with diesel-like fuel economy, all thanks to the leaner air-fuel mixture. Mazda is looking at output figures of 187bhp and 230Nm from a supercharged 2.0-litre in the production model.