2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Mazda
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....ctiv08-opt.jpg 2012 Mazda3 - Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2012 Mazda3 has officially made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show, and it's brought along the first production use of the long-awaited SkyActiv fuel-efficiency tweaks. That means the newest Mazda3 is good for a whopping 40 miles per gallon on the highway thanks to the addition of a new SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine mated to either a new six-speed automatic or manual transmission.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....engine-opt.jpgPreviously, the Mazda3 has only been good for up to 33 mpg in its most efficient form, but the new drivetrain advancements will go a long way toward making the model more competitive against ever sharper metal from Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Honda. Mazda says that the new 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter mill.
That old lump will still be around as standard equipment on the sedan, though don't expect to see it on the Mazda3 hatch. Instead, the long-roof will still benefit from the larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the last-gen vehicle.
In addition to the newly-efficient drivetrain, the 2012 Mazda3 also wears a suitably updated exterior. Buyers can look forward to redesigned headlights and an adjusted front fascia with a slightly different grille that tones down the exuberance of the car's trademark grin. Likewise, the rears of both the sedan and hatch have received a subtle warming-over. Follow the jump to hear it from Mazda's own mouth.
Gallery: 2012 Mazda3
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[Source: Mazda]Continue reading 2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior
2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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