Despite being around for five years now, the current Mazda3 remains a standout in the compact-car class. While a finicky infotainment system showcases the platform's age, styling, cabin quality, and handling dynamics continue to be up there with the best.
And now, it's almost time for a new one to be rolled out.
Mazda have confirmed overnight that the next generation 'Three' is set to debut later this month at the Los Angeles Motor Show — which kicks off on November 30 (that's December 1, for us Kiwis following the action from abroad). And in the build-up, the company have released the above teaser image.
Click here to read our road test of the current Mazda3
The leading take-away from the pic is that the new Mazda3 looks to have adopted plenty of the styling cues from the Mazda Kai concept [pictured below] that was revealed in Tokyo last November. Contours and gauges look to have been kept to a minimum, with swooping lines and smooth panels appearing to be the order of the day.
Few mechanical details have been confirmed, though Mazda has said that the hatch and sedan pairing will adopt their latest SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture platform, and Skyactiv engines. This has prompted rumour that the supercharged inline four-cylinder Skyactiv-X compression ignition engine revealed last September will appear somewhere in the powertrain line-up.
And if that's true, it's a good thing indeed. Mazda have boasted that the engine will conjure 30 per cent better fuel consumption figures than the current petrol Mazda3 engines, while simultaneously putting down between 10 and 30 per cent more torque.
Click here to read our SkyActiv-X interview with Mazda Executive Vice President Koyoshi Fujiwara
"The all-new Mazda3 adopts a more mature interpretation of Kodo design that embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics," says Mazda.
"Next-generation SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture enables people to make the most of their natural sense of balance and the latest SkyActiv engines offer responsive control of vehicle speed in any driving situation."
Stay tuned to Driven for more from the upcoming Los Angeles Motor Show.