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Mazda3 diesel confirmed for Australia
Small car range will introduce diesel variants from SeptemberMazda Australia has revealed that the 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D four-cylinder diesel engine will be offered in the company's Mazda3 small car from September.
The engine will develop the same output – 129kW and 420Nm – as in the Mazda6 and CX-5 applications, but fuel consumption in the lighter Mazda3 will better the mid-sized model's and the SUV's. According to Mazda the official fuel use figure should be as low as 5.0L/100km, depending on transmission chosen. That's a significant improvement on the numbers for the 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol models already sold here.
Unlike the petrol variants, the diesel '3' will be limited to hatchback only, but it will be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmission alternatives. Another way in which the diesel Mazda3 will be set apart from its petrol stablemates is the i-ELOOP regenerative braking system fitted as standard. Introduced to the Australian market in the larger Mazda6, i-ELOOP was ruled out for the petrol Mazda3 in Australia, despite being offered elsewhere in the world.
The diesel Mazda3 will be marketed as the Mazda3 XD Astina – and will be trimmed to that level – with SKYACTIV-D badging and red accents around the chrome shell of the grille to distinguish the diesel from petrol models.
"Diesel is a core part of Mazda's technology strategy and it's great to add the SKYACTIV-D engine to our best-selling Mazda3 range," says Mazda Australia director of marketing, Alastair Doak, as quoted in a press release.
"The SKYACTIV-D has been well received in both Mazda6 and CX-5 and it'll offer something very special when it arrives in the lighter and smaller Mazda3.
"It's our goal to produce cars for people who really enjoy driving and the new Mazda3 XD Astina will deliver on that promise."
Mazda Australia has not revealed pricing for the new variant yet, but the diesel engine in the Mazda3 has previously come at a premium – and the inclusion of i-ELOOP strongly indicates there will be some margin in the new car's price.
But the appeal of the SKYACTIV-D engine may overcome 'sticker shock', as will the option of both manual and automatic transmissions – a first for a diesel Mazda3. The importer has previously told motoring.com.au that Mazda3 diesel sales have been a tiny percentage of local Mazda3 sales in total. That can be expected to change with an automatic transmission finally available.
The Mazda3 XD Astina goes on sale from September 1.
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If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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