And G-Vectoring Control all over the shop.
At the Mazda’s European press event for the Mazda3, the company thought it prudent to release some specifics regarding the new-generation saloon & hatch. This includes the powertrains that’ll be on offer there which, we needn’t remind you, are not entirely indicative of what we’ll get here.
Their SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre mills for example produce just 90kW and 213Nm, which is lower than what we get out of the same engines in our market. However, Mazda will be offering this mill as a mild-hybrid, with a 600kJ lithium-ion battery. As such, there should be more immediate torque delivery, but it’s the cylinder deactivation technology that contributes to the 6.0L/100km claimed fuel consumption figure.
Further, the SkyActiv-X compression-ignition petrol mills will also feature Mazda’s mild-hybrid technology, aiding the new-fangled mill to offer “the superior initial response & fuel economy usually associated with diesel engines.” As per an earlier article we carried, the SkyActiv-X engines here are rated at a healthy 133kW and 222Nm, and gain the option of offering i-Activ all-wheel drive, whereas the rest of the range make do with front-wheel drive.
As standard in Europe, all cars will be mated to a 6-speed manual (SkyActiv-X included), with the 6-speed automatic offered as an option. Further, all cars benefit from standard-fit G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC-Plus), which improves balance, grip & handling by making subtle changes in power delivery & braking.
We cannot stress enough that due to historical differences between European-spec drivetrain and Aussie-spec ones, we can’t take these figures out of Lisbon as gospel, but it’s a great indication of what we might expect to see on local shores. The Mazda3 is an incredibly popular option for families here in Australia and thanks to the new compression-ignition engines, perhaps we can finally bake our cakes and eat it too.
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