Mazda 3 News

Despite Mazda’s world-leading Skyactiv-X technology doubling the complexity of the equivalent 2.0-litre petrol engine, it will cost no more or require any more frequent servicing, according to the brand’s global engine development boss. Speaking with CarsGuide at last week’s international launch of the Mazda3 Skyactiv-X in Germany, Eiji Nakai assured us that the engine won’t be accompanied by any ownership surprises.“No change to that, we make sure this engine can be used as per normal engines,” he explained.This follows the same pledge from SkyActiv-X technical research and control system boss Mitsuo Hitomi from the new tech’s preview event two years ago.  Hitomi-san also explained that the SkyActiv-X engine will use conventional spark plugs in lieu of expensive bespoke parts, and that the suggested oil will be no more exotic than that specified for conventional turbos, and the engine will continue to use a timing chain instead of a belt requiring regular replacement.This is despite the new engine being twice as complex as the existing 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine, with engineering parameters growing from 14-28. Incidentally, the existing Skyactiv-D diesel engines sit somewhere between the two for complexity.And while the Skyactiv-X engine may be more complicated, we understand much of this complexity lies within the sensors and computer power required to make it all work, rather than just mechanical elements. So when the new Mazda3 Skyactiv-X appears in local showrooms early next year, bank on the same 12 month/10,000km service intervals and circa-$1800 over five year servicing costs as the Mazda3’s conventional petrol engines, along with the recently implemented five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.The only big question mark hanging over the Mazda3 Skyactiv-X is how much it will cost to buy in Australia.

In a somewhat unusual recall, Mazda has to bring in thousands of fourth-generation Mazda 3s due to a production error which could see the wheels fall off.

A turbocharged Mazda 3 hot hatch is coming, but before you rush off to your nearest dealership, there is a sizeable catch you should be probably be made aware of.Reports surfaced this week claiming Mazda will be the latest manufacturer to enter the

Mazda UK has announced performance and fuel economy data for its upcoming SkyActiv-X engine, which will be launched into the Australian Mazda3 towards the end of 2019. Going on sale in the UK in July, the 2.0-litre supercharged SkyActiv-X engine with the company’s new compression ignition tech will reportedly produce 133kW of power and 223Nm of torque, which is slightly less than the current 2.5-litre SkyActiv four-cylinder petrol engine used in the G25 variants locally. The SkyActiv-X engine has a high 16.3:1 compression ratio, and thanks to the supercharger, its peak torque is produced 1000rpm lower than the current G25 engine, at 3000rpm. As for fuel economy, Mazda UK claims that the SkyActiv-X engine will use as little as 5.4L/100km on a combined cycle - 1.2L/100km less than the Australian G25. Although Australian figures are yet to be announced, we expect the combined figure to be comfortably below 6.0L/100km despite possible weight differences, larger wheels and different fuel quality. Emissions are similarly improved - the SkyActiv-X engine emits as little as 96g/km of CO2, which compares well with the current 2.0-litre (143g/km) and 2.5-litre (153g/km) variants of the Mazda3.The UK-spec SkyActiv-X engine is also combined with a mild-hybrid system that allows the car to have its engine switched off for “extended periods of time”, according to the brand. Whether or not the SkyActiv-X engine will be paired with the same mild-hybrid system locally is unknown.When it goes on sale in the UK, Mazda will offer the SkyActiv-X engine in both the sedan and hatchback bodystyles, and with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox - and possibly with either front- or all-wheel drive. Mazda Australia is yet to comment on when the SkyActiv-X engine will be sold locally, but we expect it to be offered only in higher-spec versions of the Mazda3 range, possibly as an option.Mazda has confirmed that the 2.0-litre SkyActiv-X engine will be offered in the CX-30 small SUV when it goes on sale locally in 2020. It’s also announced that larger six-cylinder versions of the SkyActiv-X engine concept will be produced in the future, though smaller iterations for cars such as a future Mazda2 are yet to be confirmed.

The forthcoming SkyActiv-X engine in the new generation Mazda3 is to command a significant premium over regular models if just-released Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) pricing is to follow through to Australia. Arriving in Japanese dealerships in the third quarter of 2019 - a few months before the car is expected to land in Australia - the SkyActiv-X engine will be positioned right at the top of the Japanese Mazda3 range for now. While the current top-spec Mazda3 L-package with the 2.0-litre petrol engine (the most powerful Mazda3 offered to Japan) is priced at ¥2.65 million (AUD$35,000), the equivalent SkyActiv-X engined model is priced at ¥3.30 million (AUD$43,500) or 25 per cent more.Despite confirming an on-sale date and placing orders for the car, Mazda is still yet to announce power, torque and fuel economy figures for the engine that’s being described as ‘the holy grail' thanks to its strong performance, yet diesel-like fuel economy.Said to be 2.0 litres in capacity with a supercharger, European-spec models will reportedly produce 133kW of power and 222Nm of torque - both less than the current 2.5-litre engine that’s used in G25 models.But considering Europeans don’t get that engine, the Australian X engine could be offered with more power and torque. However, thanks to new technology called 'Spark Controlled Compression Ignition' by Mazda, the SkyActiv-X engine will reportedly consume more than 30 per cent less than other petrol Mazda3s. This means the SkyActiv-X engine will consume around 4.5L/100km on a combined cycle, and the company claims the savings are greater in the real world.Reports from Japan also indicate the SkyActiv-X engine has been engineered to work with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which could result in even more efficient driving. Mazda Australia is yet to release local details including timing for the engine's local arrival.

The new-generation Mazda3 sedan has arrived in showrooms hot on the heels of the April launch of the hatch, with the range kicking off at less than $25,000, before on-road costs.

Mazda has announced available wireless phone charging in both the UK and US for the new-generation Mazda3. Available as an accessory kit through Mazda dealerships, the wireless charger sits in the centre box of the new Mazda3 and allows passengers to charge multiple devices at once. Priced from US$275 (AUD $391) in the US and £122 (AUD $230) in the UK, the wireless phone charging system matches the Qi standard of other automotive wireless chargers. Despite being made available in both the UK and US, Mazda Australia has no current plans to add it to the its range - even as an accessory. Local spokesperson Amy O’Brien told CarsGuide that the company “won’t be offering a wireless phone charger for now.”The Mazda3's main competitors - Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30 - all offer wireless charging on higher grades.

Australia’s declining new-vehicle market continued its slide in April, with Kia the only top-10 brand to record positive sales growth for the month, according to the latest VFACTS sales data.

Mazda is reportedly mulling adding a go-fast version of its new Mazda3 to its line-up, with approval for a new hot hatch packing a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine that feeds power to all four wheels now just "a formality".

Your new Mazda wants to watch you sleeping...