Although leaked earlier this year via a brochure from its Slovakian division, the Hiroshima based automaker has now announced that the European-spec version of the engine, which displaces 2.0-litres and also comes paired to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system dubbed M Hybrid, will produce 132kW/224Nm with the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.
According to Mazda, fuel consumption is rated at 5.3 L/100 km for the manual and at 6.4 L/100 km for the automatic as per the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) regulations, with emissions, depending on the transmission, being as low as 98 g/km.
Aside from the SkyActiv-X, the 3 sold on the Old Continent can be had with the hybrid-equipped 2.0 SkyActiv-G that outputs 90kW/213Nm, or the brand-new 1.8 SkyActiv-D turbodiesel that makes 85kW/270Nm.
Like the SkyActiv-X, both can be specified with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic ‘box, though with the option of the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system on the petrol hatchback.
So far, Mazda South Africa has remained coy on the new 3’s details, though chances are that buyers could do without the SkyActiv-X and SkyActiv-D motors in favour of the bigger 2.5-litre, non-hybrid SkyActiv-G that makes 138kW/252Nm in the US-spec model. The aforementioned all-wheel-drive system will also likely be a local market no-no.
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