2019 Mazda 3 to launch in Malaysia in July; bookings open

KUALA LUMPUR: It was back in November 2018, when the 4th-gen Mazda 3 was first revealed. The car is now set to make its local debut in mid-July of 2019. The said information came out during an exclusive preview session of the car held in Japan.

The official distributor of Mazda in Malaysia, i.e., Bermaz is now accepting orders from the new Mazda 3. The car would be introduced in both hatch and sedan version, and the car will carry a starting price tag of around RM 137,000. It is to be noted that initially the car would be sold as a fully-imported CBU unit.

Under the hood, the car would be available in two engine options, both from Mazda SkyActiv-G petrol range. The base variants will be powered by a 1.5-litre mill that develops a maximum power of 114 hp and a peak torque of 150 Nm. The second and bigger option is a 2.0-litre unit that offers 165 hp and 210 Nm. Both the engine mentioned above are paired to a SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic gearbox.

In case you are wondering about the SkyActiv-X powerplant that has been in news for a while now and was believed to power the next-gen model 3, sadly it’ll not make it to Malaysia. This mill features a Spak Controlled Compression Ignition tech that is mostly found in diesel engines. Also, the ‘X’ unit gets supplementary systems that offer fuel efficiency that’s equal or even more than that offered by the SykActive-D 1.5-litre mill.

Though not much is known about the car’s feature and specs, however, it’s been confirmed that it would be launched in five trim options.

Here’s what we know about the 2019 Mazda 3, so far -

• The new Mazda 3 is the first car from the brand’s next-gen lineup
  It would be based on Mazda’s new SkyActiv-Architecture platform
• The all-new Mazda 3 hatchback is now 1 mm shorter in length, 2 mm wider, and 5 mm taller. The final measurement rests at 4,459 mm X 1,797 mm X 1,440 mm (L X W X H). The sedan model, on the other hand, measures 4,662 mm X 1,797 mm X 1,445 mm (L X W X H) that’s 82 mm longer, 2 mm wide, and 5 mm taller. The wheelbase is increased by 25 mm and now reads 2,725 mm
• The car now benefits from 2nd-gen Kodo design language that stands on the foundation of ‘less is more’
• The exterior of the hatch looks more radical and dynamic compared to the sedan. The cabin, however, is same for both the new Mazda 3 versions and comes with fitment that reduces ‘visual noise’

On its arrival in Malaysia, the car would compete with the likes of Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis. Are you excited about the new Mazda 3 arrival? We sure are. Stay tuned for latest details and more.