Next-Gen Mazda3 to Get LA Reveal

Mazda Motor Corp. says it will unveil its redesigned Mazda3 small car next month at the Los Angeles auto show.

On Wednesday the carmaker released a teaser video of the all-new model, which will incorporate styling cues from last year’s Kai concept car (pictured). Sedan and hatchback variants are expected.

The concept car was built on Mazda’s new SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture, which will make its production debut on the Mazda3. Mazda says the architecture provides improved NVH and dynamic performance characteristics compared with the current Mazda3 platform.

The 2019 Mazda3 also will be the first model to be powered by the carmaker’s SkyActiv-X homogeneous-charge-compression-ignition engine technology. HCCI combines aspects of a gasoline and diesel engine, functioning like the latter to ignite its air-fuel mixture through pressure rather than a sparkplug.

The technique causes ignition earlier in the combustion cycle. The result is more uniform and lower-temperature combustion, providing greater thermal efficiency, less noise and lower emissions, according to the company.

Mazda’s so-called spark-controlled-compression-ignition system uses sparkplugs under certain conditions to overcome two issues that previously have impeded HCCI engines: maximizing the zone in which compression ignition is possible and achieving a seamless transition between compression ignition and spark ignition. This enables smooth operation across a range of engine loads, the carmaker says.