You’re looking at the all-new Mazda 3, unveiled in hatchback and saloon guise at the 2019 Los Angeles motor present and due in UK showrooms by May 2019 priced from round £23k. It’s an important launch for the Japanese automotive maker: it's the model's greatest-promoting automobile globally and it is spearheading the bid to head upmarket and overtake Volkswagen for the premiumness of its mainstream cars. It’s a giant ask. How can it secure such lofty bragging rights? It stands for Spark Plug Controlled Compression Ignition, a brand new combustion course of that mixes the most effective bits of gasoline and diesel engine operation, combining spark ignition and compression combustion in a petrol engine for the primary time in quantity manufacturing. It's claimed to supply considerably improved fuel consumption and emissions, combined with decent torque, drivability and response. Mazda engineers who've pushed it tell Car journal that it still sounds and behaves like a petrol engine, however with the low-down torque of a diesel car.
It simply would not surrender with a slim energy band like a diesel,' said European boss Jeff Guyton. We’ve already pushed prototypes with Skyactiv-X SPCCI and our tech correspondent Ian Adcock reported it was doubtlessly one of the biggest mainstream engine advances in a long time. This is the only model that will probably be obtainable with all-wheel drive and will probably be as near a hot hatch as you will find - no MPS model is at present deliberate. What’s all this about hybrids on the new Mazda 3? They're standard across the vary, though these aren't full hybrids. Note additionally the availability in America and wintry climates of i-Activ AWD (yes, there are many techy acronyms and gadgetry names on this automotive). This four-wheel drive Mazda three will likely be delivered to the UK for the first time, although its primary focus in Europe will be on Alpine international locations comparable to Switzerland and Scandinavia. Its 4wd system is claimed to be 60% extra environment friendly than before, with fewer transmission losses - and it will include a number of dealing with methods, understood to incorporate torque vectoring, quite than just being about additional traction in slippery situations.
Suspension is by class-customary MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. Many rivals nowadays have extra refined multi-hyperlink rear axles, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Mazda can make the trip/handling steadiness class-leading with a easier answer. Nearly a 3rd of the construction uses excessive-strength steel, in contrast with just 3% of the outgoing mannequin, so this should be a stiff, strong car to the benefit of cornering, trip comfort and passive safety. You won’t mistake the brand new 3 for anything however a Mazda, however the rising facet window line with a outstanding kink, the supersized grille and slimline, roundel mild graphics (shades of MX-5?) are eye-catchingly fresh. If you happen to remember the RX-Vision concept car from 2015 and the Vision Coupe from 2017’s Tokyo motor present, you’ll get the concept. It’s about ‘higher ranges of depth and sophistication,’ the designers declare, and they’ll ask you to observe the lack of fussy styling lines along the metalwork. For proof, see the headlamps, that are remarkably pared-again models with the minimal of adornment (this goes in opposition to the craze for techfest lights).
Design chiefs told Car they did not want to rest on their laurels; despite having a favourable household look, they decided to push forward with Kodo v2 anyway - so that they don't get stale. Head of exterior design Yasutake Tsuchida instructed Car they wanted to amplify the artistry of the Mazda 3: 'We used the MX-5 as one thing of a "jolt" to see how far we could push Kodo. We wished to be more radical. We'll push the design envelope more in future: a few of our merchandise will probably be more dignified, others extra emotional. Two Mazda three models will probably be sold: the hatchback and a saloon, both coming to the UK in proper-hand drive. The five-door seems surprisingly completely different (and just a little difficult from some angles; that Impreza-esque C-pillar makes it a tad dark and dingy on the rear bench) whereas the sedan is more of a mini-me 6 copycat. There’s even one thing of a BMW-impact Hofmeister kink on the saloon.
Expect the hatch to take the lion’s share of British gross sales (the 4-door has solely ever accounted for 10-15% of UK gross sales). It’s all change inside, too - it’s obviously a Mazda cabin, however it’s peppered with changes designed to make travelling in a 3 ‘feel extra natural’. Seriously: Mazda has undertaken oodles of analysis looking at how people counteract forces when walking to make this interior extra stress-free and the seating position is claimed to make use of this information to great effect. It is a nicely made, excessive-quality cabin as you might anticipate, with out being too OTT or overtly premium. Activsense: a new driver consideration and drowsiness system which monitor if drivers are paying attention behind the wheel. Sounds good. So when can I purchase the brand new 2019 Mazda 3 and the way a lot will it cost? The car is making its debut at this week’s Los Angeles motor show and European dealers will begin sales in the spring. It’s too early to verify actual prices, however we count on a modest price improve, pointing to a starting price around the £23k benchmark. Today's car (beneath) begins at £20,595.
