48
2019
MAZDA 3
Mazda wowed us with the
beautifully refreshed Mazda6
and has followed it up with
an equally impressive update
of its Mazda3. The marque is
continuing down its soulful
Kodo design path, and big
plans are reportedly in
the works for a new rear-
drive model that will pack
a straight-six Skyactiv-X
engine—but more on that in
a moment. The upscale 2019
Mazda3 is here today and is
a fresh take on the compact
car aesthetic. It’s available
as an elegant sedan and a
sporty, distinctive hatchback.
For now, the Mazda3’s sole
engine is a smooth and
responsive 2.5-liter four that
delivers a balanced 186 hp
and 186 lb-ft of torque. The
carryover powerplant is mated
to a six-speed automatic
transmission or the much
more fun-to-drive six-speed
manual. An all-wheel-drive
version and a variant with
Mazda’s compression-ignition
Skyactiv-X four-cylinder
engine are expected to follow
soon. Those pining for a
higher-performance version ofON SALE:
Now
BASE PRICE:
$28,445the Mazda3 hatchback to replace
the much loved Mazdaspeed3
will likely have to continue to
pine, however, as the project
appears to be dormant. Although
it’s possible that Mazda could
use its 2.5-liter turbo-four engine
to make it happen, we’re notsuper confident that it will. All
would be forgiven, though, if
Mazda decided to produce a
rear-drive vehicle powered by a
straight-six, which it teased in
its 2019 fiscal year report.
According to the presentation,
the marque is committed toadvancing its Kodo “Soul
of Motion” design language
throughout its future vehicle
lineup, and it’s planning to
introduce a small architecture
mild hybrid system for its
newer vehicles. But the biggest
news out of the report was that
Mazda is developing a “large
architecture” vehicle platform
and straight-six Skyactiv-X
engine that could run on gas
or diesel. The presentation
also indicated a longitudinal
engine layout for the straight-
six, which leads us to believe
that any new car with the
engine would also be rear-
wheel drive in configuration
with an all-wheel-drive option
likely. Any proposed vehicle
could also potentially feature
a mild hybrid system or other
electrification in place to help
keep fuel numbers respectable.
Best guess is that it would
be similar in design to the
stunning Vision Coupe concept
(left) revealed at the 2017 Tokyo
Motor Show. But don’t expect
to see it in the metal too soon.
If indeed Mazda were to pull
off something along the lines of
what is proposed, we wouldn’t
expect to see it before 2021 at
the earliest.McLaren GT