Yahoo Autos 2020 Mazda 3: One of the Best Compacts Looks to Get Even Better
What It Is: The next generation of Mazda’s fun-to-drive compact sedan and hatchback. It promises to combine stellar handling with new and innovative fuel-saving technology.
Why It Matters: The next Mazda 3 will be the first car to market with a gasoline compression-ignition engine. Well, sort of. Dubbed Skyactiv-X, the new engine is a supercharged four-cylinder that burns an ultralean charge during compression ignition (the air-to-fuel ratio is more than double that of a conventional gas engine). But to control the timing of the compression ignition, Mazda injects a squirt of fuel just before the power stroke and ignites it with a spark plug. This spark-initiated combustion unleashes a wave of increasing pressure that ignites the lean air-fuel mixture. If it all pans out, the X promises plentiful power and a bump in fuel efficiency.
Platform: The fourth-generation Mazda 3 will use the company’s latest Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture. The new platform is stronger, and it lets less noise, vibration, and harshness into the cabin compared with the current model’s setup. Mazda claims it has improved the 3’s ride quality as well. Unfortunately, the 3 is expected to ditch its multilink rear suspension for a lighter, cheaper, and easier-to-package torsion beam.
Powertrain: Today’s naturally aspirated 155-hp 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G inline-four is anticipated to power entry-level models, with the new Skyactiv-X compression-ignition engine motivating higher-end trims. Expected to produce 190 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, this supercharged 2.0-liter inline-four is said to be up to 30 percent more fuel efficient than the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G. Regardless of engine choice, all Mazda 3s will be available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
Competition: Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.
What Might Go Wrong: The new 3’s cost-cut torsion-beam rear suspension may strip the 3 of its famously fun driving dynamics. Additionally, the complex and novel Skyactiv-X engine could turn out to be as reliable as a crackhead babysitter.
Estimated Arrival and Price: Look for the Mazda 3 to arrive in 2019 with a starting price of less than $20,000.
You Might Also Like
