Mazda3 Hybrid: First details

Mazda has released the first images and details of the Mazda3 Hybrid that will make its world debut at the Tokyo motor show on November 20.

Due to go on sale in Japan the day after its global premiere (November 21) but not confirmed for release in Australia, Mazda’s first series-production hybrid is based on the Mazda3 sedan that goes on sale here (alongside the MkIII hatch) in January.

It is powered primarily by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder SKYACTIV petrol engine developed specifically for this application, matched to an electric motor, continuously variable automatic transmission and power control system sourced from Toyota.

Full technical details have not been revealed, but the Mazda3 Hybrid does not feature the ‘i-Stop’ idle-stop and ‘i-ELOOP’ capacitor-based regenerative braking systems seen in the latest Mazda6.

Based on eight images released by Mazda, other unique 3 Hybrid features include ‘HEV’ badging, a slightly smaller boot (to accommodate its high-voltage battery behind the rear seatback, as in the Prius), specific instrument displays including a dash-top energy monitor and a new gearshifter with ‘B’ mode, for maximum energy recovery.

Mazda says the sedan-only ‘Axela’ hybrid returns fuel consumption of 30.8km/L according to the Japanese JC08 test cycle, which equates to 3.2L/100km but is likely to be closer to the Prius’ figure of 3.9L/100km under Australia’s ADR 81/02 combined-cycle test.

Australian pricing for the new Mazda3 is yet to be revealed, but in Japan the hybrid version will cost 2,499,000 yen ($A26,800), commanding a price premium of around 13 per cent over the equivalent 2.0-litre petrol model (2,205,000 yen or $A23,600).

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