Skip advert
Advertisement

250bhp Mazda 3 Turbo variant not coming to the UK

Hotter 250bhp turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine lands in Mazda 3 family hatch, but European sales won’t happen

The Mazda 3 is now available in borderline hot hatch guise with a turbocharged petrol engine developing 250bhp – but only in North America. 

This more potent version of the Mazda 3, badged Mazda 3 Turbo, is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv-G petrol engine developing 250bhp and 434Nm of torque. The powertrain is already used in the North American and Australian-delivered versions of the Mazda 6 saloon and CX-5 SUV – both of which share their platform with the Mazda 3 hatchback.

As is available on the 2.0-litre 177bhp Skyactiv-X-engined hatchback, this new engine is mated to a four- wheel-drive system as standard – although Mazda has swapped out the six-speed manual gearbox for a new six-speed automatic, which is also found in the US Mazda 6 and CX-5.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s no official word yet on the engine’s performance specs or fuel economy figures but, given that this new powertrain has around 70bhp more than the Mazda 3’s existing 177bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, the hatchback’s 0–62mph should dip to under seven seconds.

North American buyers will also get a little more equipment for their money, with this new, faster Mazda 3 receiving a set of 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels, larger twin exhaust tips and a subtly more aggressive styling package, with a deeper front splitter, broader side skirts, a new rear diffuser and a black tailgate spoiler.

Inside is a pair of heated leather sports seats, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system and an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a couple of swish convenience features, too, like a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a roaming WiFi hotspot and adaptive cruise control.

It’s on sale in the United States now, priced from $30,900 (roughly £23,600) for the hatchback, making it around $7,000 (or £5,300) more expensive than the entry-level Skyactiv-G  model in the US market.

Check out our long term report of our Mazda 3 here...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month
Mazda 3 front corner tracking

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month

Mazda’s high-quality family hatch might cost less than you expect with low initial payment and monthly fee
News
2 Feb 2025
Best car leasing deals 2025: the top lease offers available right now
Best car leasing deals - header image for the January 2025 update

Best car leasing deals 2025: the top lease offers available right now

Car leasing can get you behind the wheel of a new car for less. Our experts have picked the best around this week.
Best cars & vans
27 Jan 2025
BMW 1 Series review
BMW 1 Series 2024 facelift - front

BMW 1 Series review

The latest BMW 1 Series is still a great family hatchback that’s built well and fine to drive, although practicality isn’t the best
In-depth reviews
6 Dec 2024
Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-30 get more powerful engine and a tech boost for 2025
New updated Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30

Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-30 get more powerful engine and a tech boost for 2025

Mazda says the new 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol delivers better real-world performance, while improving noise, vibration and harshness
News
1 Aug 2024

Most Popular

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts