Do you remember the Kai concept? This could be the new Mazda3.
Since 2014, the Mazda3 is on sale. The handsome hatchback, as well as its sedan variant, is now in its third iteration. It’s known for its tech-friendly cabin and fun driving dynamics. It could be out sooner than anticipated; there are rumors that a new version may arrive before the end.
According to AutoExpress, the next-generation Mazda3 will be displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. According to the report, the fourth-generation hatchback will be more efficient and better in quality than the previous model. This is based on the Kai concept that Mazda presented last year at the Tokyo Motor Show.
In an interview with British publication, Kevin Rice, Mazda Europe’s design director stated that the company has a history of producing concepts for their own sake. “So yes. Manufacturing tolerances and techniques were incorporated into [the KAI] concept from the beginning.”
The brand’s SkyActiv Vehicle Architecture will be used as the base for the new Mazda3. It will be paired up with a 2.0-liter SkyActivX engine that is more efficient and comes standard with a Spark Controlled Compression Ignition. The power should be in the vicinity of 187 horsepower (139 Kilowatts) or 169 pound-feet (220 Newton-meters). SkyActiv G and SkyActiv D will be available as cheaper options.
As mentioned above, the new Mazda3 should be on display at L.A. Auto Show this year. The new Mazda3 will be available for purchase sometime in 2019, although no information has been released about pricing or availability. We are hoping the Mazdaspeed3 hot hatchback will return to the new generation.