Mazda3 gets 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel in UK to boost sales

The Mazda3 gets the 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine in the UK offering sub-100g/km emissions as Mazda aim at both private and fleet buyers.

The Mazda 3 line-up in the UK is getting a boost with the arrival of Mazda’s 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine – already available in the Mazda2 and new Mazda CX-3 – to offer a Mazda3 with improved economy and running costs and emissions of just 99g/km.

You can have the new 1.5 litre diesel in either the hatchback or fastback Mazda3, and when specced with Mazda’s six-speed manual gearbox it will deliver official economy of 74.3mpg.

Mazda has made the move to add a more frugal diesel option to remain competitive in a market where over 40 per cent of sales ar already of cars with sub-100g/km emissions, and Mazda believes the new 1.5 litre diesel offers a great combination of frugality and performance (the 104bhp on offer means it can get to 62mph in 11 seconds).

Buyers will also get Mazda’s stop-start to aid economy – Mazda say it’s the world’s quickest stop-start system – but when you’re on the go the variable turbine turbo will offer plenty of torque at low speeds and lots of flexibility at cruising speeds.

The Mazda3 with the new 1.5 litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine goes on sale in the UK on 1 December, with prices starting from £18,895. It’s a good choice if running costs are high on your priority list, and makes a nice alternative to more mainstream offerings from Ford and Volkswagen.