Turbocharged Mazda3 specs revealed ahead of premiere

Mazda Mexico decided not to wait until the official premiere set on July 8, 2020 and released the main technical specifications of the new Mazda3 hatchback. Let us look at these.

Many car news websites had expected the new Mazda 3 to become a successor to the Mazda 3 MPS hot hatch that used to be in production in 2006–2013, but it ended up being nothing like it. Instead, the car is identical to its lower-specced siblings on the outside expect for the larger 18-inch wheels and black décor elements. Nothing is being said about the suspension, and the engine is the same Skyactiv-G 2.5T turbo-four as the one Mazda uses for its 6, CX-5 and CX-9 models.

The mill delivers 230 hp (172 kW) to the wheels and revs up to 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque. It packs a six-speed automatic transmission and part-time AWD with a coupling on the rear axle. Other low-end Mazda models ship with the same gearbox in the United States. Acceleration times remain to be announced.

The hatchback will hit the Mexican market in Grand Touring and Signature trim versions, the former starting from U.S. $22,000 and the latter $2,000 above that for its leather cabin. The sedan may or may not get the same engine in the future.