Mazda To Make A Strong Showing At This Month's LA Auto Show

Mazda To Make A Strong Showing At This Month's LA Auto Show

The annual Los Angeles Auto Show has come to be known as one of the best platforms to showcase new vehicles, and Mazda has plans to come out strong next month with some of their newest developments. The next generation of their compact sedan Mazda 3 will be there, as well as their new Skyactiv-X drivetrain. From what we and our partners at Island Fender here in Honolulu, HI have seen, Mazda's competitors will be having a difficult next year.

The preliminary body design for both the sedan and hatchback Mazda 3s will be rounder than previous years offerings with a form factor that will reduce drag, increasing fuel economy. A hybrid option will be debuted as well. Both the Skyactiv-X hybrid and the current Skyactiv-G models will be available. 

The hybrid model is a step toward Mazda's goal to electrify all of their vehicles by 2030. The Skyactiv-X model is designed to provide the efficiency of their 1.5 liter diesel engine and the performance of their 2.5 liter standard. 

Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto believes this is the first of many steps they'll need to take to achieve their goal, but it is by no means a small one.

"Skyactiv-X is a very efficient engine in the first place, so we don't need a full hybrid. Mild hybrid is good enough," Marumoto said.

"And by using the mild-hybrid system, linear driving dynamics can be pursued as well. That's why we believe the grade should be higher."

Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: autoweek.com