Filed under:
Budget,
Sedan,
Hatchback,
Mazda,
Diesel
According to
Car and Driver, the next-generation
Mazda3 is set to undergo an extensive overhaul, similar to what the Japanese automaker has done with its larger
Mazda6 sedan.
On the powertrain front, expect the still-new 155-horsepower 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder to carry over. But since the next Mazda3 will likely shed hundreds of pounds thanks to the company's lighter Skyactiv-tuned platform (a good chunk of which will be shared with the
CX-5), the 2.0-liter engine should return improved fuel economy and performance since there won't be so much heft to cart around. Currently, the 2.0-liter Mazda3 returns up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
C/D also states that a diesel-powered version of the compact Mazda3 is under consideration, as is a new version of the turbocharged
Mazdaspeed3.
Visually, expect the new Mazda3 to receive the full brunt of the automaker's new Kodo styling language. That isn't a bad thing, though - both the new CX-5 and Mazda6 are handsome vehicles, and we think the aggressive headlamps and upright grille will translate nicely to the smaller package.
C/D has worked up a rendering of what the Mazda3 could look like in hatchback form with the new styling direction, so
head over there to check it out.
2014 Mazda3 to shed hundreds of pounds; diesel, Mazdaspeed variants possible originally appeared on
Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our
terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |
Email this |
Comments
More...
Report: 2014 Mazda3 to shed hundreds of pounds; diesel, Mazdaspeed variants possible
