New Mazda3 breaks cover

As part of a co-ordinated global reveal, taking place simultaneously in Melbourne, London, Istanbul, New York and St Petersburg, Mazda has unveiled its next generation Mazda3 hatch, due to go on sale locally (with its sedan sibling) in the first quarter of next year.

Based on Mazda’s swoopy ‘Kodo’ design language, the new car’s wheelbase is 60mm longer, 40mm wider and 15mm lower than its predecessor. Speaking at the Melbourne launch, the head of Mazda’s Advanced Design Studio, Yasushi Nakamuta said the new 3 has been designed to express “the pent up energy of a hunting animal locked on its prey.”

The car will be offered initially with a choice of 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines, using the Japanese maker’s ‘Skyactiv’ technology to reduce weight and maximise fuel-efficiency. Mazda says pricing and exact specification will be confirmed closer to the car’s on-sale date.