The Mazda3 range has received a new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, in order to boost sales from both private and fleet buyers.
This 1.5-litre unit is already available with the latest Mazda2 and the Mazda CX-3 crossover and becomes the most efficient engine available for the Mazda3. The new diesel is available for both the hatchback and fastback body styles and all trims in the current Mazda3 line-up, including SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav and Sport Nav.
Pricing for the Mazda3 with the new engine starts at £18,895 for both the hatchback and fastback versions.
Customers can hook up the new diesel with either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic ‘box. The latter adds £1,200 to the price of the 1.5 diesel-run Mazda3, meaning that pricing for the Mazda3 with the new diesel and auto ‘box combined starts at £19,495.
The new diesel is at its most efficient when using the manual gearbox, returning a combined fuel economy figure of 74.3mpg and a CO2 emissions output of just 99g/km, leading to free Vehicle Excise Duty. With the automatic ‘box, these figures are altered to 64.2mpg and 114g/km.
In terms of performance, the Mazda3 with the new diesel covers the zero to 62mph sprint in 11 seconds, or 11.6 with the auto ‘box.
The Head of Fleet Mazda UK, Steve Tomlinson, commented: “I am confident that the addition of the Mazda3 1.5-litre diesel derivative to Mazda’s already extensive corporate vehicle choice list will enhance our fleet appeal even further when the car goes on sale on the 1st December.”
Check out our video review of the Mazda3 hatchback: