Mazda has officially revealed the 3 2.5 Turbo in the USA – and it packs more power than expected.
The hotter Mazda 3 features a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 186kW of power and 433Nm of torque on 93 octane fuel in North America, up 16kW and 13Nm on what was promised by Mazda Mexico in a video revealed over the weekend.
Running on 87 octane fuel, the 2.5 Turbo makes the same 170kW and 420Nm promised on the weekend.
Should it come to Australia, Mazda hasn’t yet confirmed which state of tune the engine will offer. However the same engine makes a claimed 170kW and 420Nm in the CX-9, CX-5, and Mazda 6, so that seems likely.
Although 170kW is down on the 180kW offered by the upcoming Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI in Australia, its peak torque figure puts even the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R in the shade.
Mazda Australia hasn’t yet locked in the hotter 3 for Australia, but has previously told CarExpert: “We are always monitoring vehicle options for Australia, however we have nothing to announce at this time.”
The local arm has made no secret in the past, however, of its desire to see a hot hatch join the range – senior executives have previously expressed a “keen interest” in a hotter Mazda 3.
Unlike previous warmed-over Mazda 3 specials, the 3 2.5T has all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The bigger engine is available in both the hatchback and sedan, setting up a tasty battle between the 3 and upcoming i30 Sedan N-Line.
In the USA, Mazda will offer the 2.5 Turbo with essentially everything in its kit bag.
The cabin is specced similarly to the range-topping Astina on sale in Australia, with full leather trim, a complete suite of active safety features, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
If it’s confirmed, there’s a chance Mazda will offer the 2.5 T engine on more than one trim level, as it does on both the CX-5 and 6.
