Mazda CX-3 goes on sale in Japan, gets 270 Nm 1.5L SkyActiv-Diesel engine! [+Video]



It’s about time the Honda HR-V meet its most worthy competitor. Introduced officially at its world premiere last November at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the especially handsome Mazda CX-3 is now on sale in Japan.

Mazda CX-3_ (3)

As per our previous report, Japanese customers will only be getting the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-D clean diesel engine paired to either their Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic or Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual. Before we go down to the numbers, the CX-3 is offered in three trims – XD, XD Touring and XD Touring L Package.

Mazda claims that their 1.5-litre diesel engine performs better than some 2.5-litre petrol engines. With its output rated at 104 hp at 4,000 rpm and 270 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 2,500 rpm whilst returning 25km per litre of fuel, the numbers certainly look healthy, on paper at least.

Mazda CX-3_

Mazda is also offering two drive types here, and customers can choose between the FWD or the new i-Activ AWD drive system. This generous offering sums the lineup to 12 different configurations (refer to table below).

Model Grade Engine Drive Type Transmission Fuel Economy
XD 1.5L Skyactiv-D FWD 6-spd manual 25.0km/l
XD 1.5L Skyactiv-D FWD 6-spd auto 23.0km/l
XD 1.5L Skyactiv-D AWD 6-spd manual 23.4km/l
XD 1.5L Skyactiv-D AWD 6-spd auto 21.0km/l
XD Touring 1.5L Skyactiv-D FWD 6-spd manual 25.0km/l
XD Touring 1.5L Skyactiv-D FWD 6-spd auto 23.0km/l
XD Touring 1.5L Skyactiv-D AWD 6-spd manual 23.4km/l
XD Touring 1.5L Skyactiv-D AWD 6-spd auto 21.0km/l
XD Touring L 1.5L Skyactiv-D FWD 6-spd manual 25.0km/l
XD Touring L 1.5L Skyactiv-D FWD 6-spd auto 23.0km/l
XD Touring L 1.5L Skyactiv-D AWD 6-spd manual 23.4km/l
XD Touring L 1.5L Skyactiv-D AWD 6-spd auto 21.0km/l

 

Mazda CX-3 Japan (1)

There’s also a world’s first technology here, that is Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother (factory installed in Japan only) which reduces diesel knock sound, resulting in a smoother and quieter running engine. The CX-3s are priced from 2,376,000 yen (RM72k est) to 3,024,000 yen (RM92k est) including taxes.

Mazda Japan aims to sell a highly ambitious 3,000 units a month, hinting at some really strong product confidence. Back to us Malaysians, the CX-3 is set to arrive here this year but there’s no specifying when, most probably between late Q3 and Q4.

Mazda CX-3 Japan (18)

Pricing is suggested to be around the RM130k ballpark or less, though we will have to wait till much later before getting a glimpse of its spec sheet. Read the full details of the Mazda CX-3 here.

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IMAGE GALLERY