The new Mazda3 five-door hatchback is being launched this week at the Bologna Motor Show. This second generation hatchback follows rapidly on the heels of the new four-door saloon version, displayed at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. Mazda Ireland tells me that both models will arrive in Ireland in May and should be worth waiting for, writes Padraic Deane.
The new Mazda3 5-door hatchback adopts the same fresh characteristics as its saloon counterpart, offering sporty driving and a dynamic design, together with top class environmental and safety performance.
Environment-friendly qualities were top of mind at Mazda R&D during new Mazda3’s development, including more efficient powertrains, Mazda-typical weight saving engineering solutions, and fine tuned ‘best in class’ aerodynamics.
All petrol engine versions of the new Mazda3 will offer even further advanced environmental performance, including the world’s first vehicle catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology. This new development enables Mazda to significantly reduce its use of scarce resources such as platinum and palladium.
The new engine line-up has been tailored for European customers and now includes the newly developed 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, recently launched in the new Mazda6, in addition to the existing 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the popular 1.6-litre turbo diesel.
The new 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine is a high-performance clean diesel powerplant with top class output, fuel economy and refinement. It will be offered in two variants, a high power version with a maximum output of 185PS, and a standard power version with a maximum output of 150PS. Both have outstanding clean emissions performance and comply with the Euro Stage5 regulations. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also greatly improved compared to the current 2.0-litre diesel model.
