Mazda3 Images Leak Ahead Of Purported XBox Debut

Mazda has been making quite a hullabaloo about an impending vehicle debut on Microsoft’s XBox Live service. This new car, we were told, would be a #gamechanger. With the debut slated for tonight, the rumor mill has been grinding away on what new vehicle the Zoom-Zoom brand would be showing.

 

And while we’re still kind of in the dark, these leaked images of the new Mazda3 shine quite a lot of light on the question of what Mazda has up its sleeve for tonight.

 

So yes, this is your new Mazda3. It’s a looker, isn’t it? The Kodo design language draws inspiration from the CX-5 and the Mazda6, and looks particularly good on this small wagon.

 

While we know what it looks like, the initial information, which came from AutoExpress covers the European model. So while we may see some of these engines come to North America, it’s unlikely we’ll get the full smörgåsbord of powertrains.

 

We know about three engines for the European models, as of right now. A new, 1.5-liter, Skyactiv-G gas engine will offer 99 horsepower and scoot to 62 in a leisurely 10.8 seconds. We wouldn’t gamble on this engine coming to the US. More likely to arrive here is the 163-horsepower version of the 2.0-liter, Skyactiv gas engine found in the current Mazda3. There’s also a 118-horse version of this engine, but we’re doubting it’ll be available here.

 

Finally, AutoExpress is claiming that the 2.2-liter, turbodiesel four-cylinder that’s set to arrive in the Mazda6 will also be employed in the 3. This makes us happy.

 

We’ll need to wait until the official debut on XBox Live to have a full listing of details, at which point we’ll post an update.