A New Mazda3 With SKYACTIV-X Engine Will be Unveiled in L.A.
The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show is just around the corner and, as always, it promises some interesting new products. And not just SUVs! Mazda plans on presenting an all new Mazda3 powered by an innovative engine it calls SKYACTIV-X.
Styling and Frugality
Just over a year ago, Mazda presented the Kai concept car at the Tokyo Auto Salon, a very attractive prototype that promised to embody the look of upcoming Mazdas. Design isn’t a stranger to the Japanese carmaker, who seems to have gotten it right, and chances are the next Mazda3 won’t be a far departure from that Kai concept.
- Also: Mazda SKYACTIV-X: The New Engine That Reduces Fuel Consumption by 15%
- Also: 2018 Mazda3: Taking a Bow
Reliable sources tell us this Mazda3 will be built on an all-new architecture that should help the new compact be lighter, more affordable upon purchase, quieter and more fun to drive than its predecessor, qualities that have allowed the car to remain a strong player in the segment since its inception in 2003.
However, the Mazda3 will be a bit more than a sexy appearance and sporty handling. It will also be powered by an all-new gasoline engine that promises to reduce its fuel economy by more than 30% over the previous one. Mazda calls it SKYACTIV-X, a supercharged 2.0-litre four that utilizes a technology called spark-controlled compression ignition. It promises to deliver the same performance as the previous 2.5-litre mill, but with fuel economy numbers comparable to a 1.5-litre diesel!
According to Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto, the SKYACTIV-X engine will power higher trim levels, while base-trim cars will come with the standard SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre unit, an engine that has proven reliable and thrifty in current Mazda cars and SUVs. Let’s just hope Mazda will continue to offer the 3 with a good-old manual transmission.
We’ll be in L.A., during its official unveiling, to tell you more. So stay tuned.
