The 2021 Mazda 3 Will Finally Get A Turbo
06-04-20, 09:35 AM
#16
Had a Mazda3 as a rental car in LA a few years ago, thought it was better than average.
What is wrong with a torsion-bar suspension? A spring is a spring. I would think a bar takes up less space than a spring.
What is wrong with a torsion-bar suspension? A spring is a spring. I would think a bar takes up less space than a spring.
06-04-20, 09:48 AM
#17
Super Moderator
The tradeoffs for this are greatly reduced cost and more efficient packaging, which in many cases (including this one) results in slightly more cargo space.
06-04-20, 09:50 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Just to avoid confusion, there is a difference between a torsion bar and torsion beam. What we are discussing here is a torsion beam, whichconnects the two rear wheels and forms an anchor for the rear suspension. Torsion bars are usually up front, and actually are the front suspension, not just attached to it.
^^^^ Torsion bars.
^^^Torsion beam.
06-04-20, 11:41 AM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
The addition of AWD, and now turbo, makes the new 3 hatch a competitor to some other "hot hatches" like the GTI, Elantra GT N-Line, Veloster N, Fiesta ST, etc. I think that the turbo will help, but by how much? That remains to be seen. The hot hatch niche is a small one, but the 3's interior is a nice middle ground for those looking to take a step back from their "boyracer" days without moving to a bigger crossover.
Personally, I'll be looking to at least test drive one to replace my trusty Civic. I've been really happy with my 2 year old CX-9.
Personally, I'll be looking to at least test drive one to replace my trusty Civic. I've been really happy with my 2 year old CX-9.
06-04-20, 02:21 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Do you think this might be the end of the Mazda three? Possible partnership with another brand? Maybe Toyota
06-04-20, 02:29 PM
#22
Why do you say that? 
I'm no speed-freak myself, but I still find the argument strange that a turbo option, and/or more power, will not increase is potential appeal. Ruling out a manual-transmission option may actually have more effect, although few folks today outside of die-hard enthusiasts choose a traditional three-pedal transmission anyway.
I'm no speed-freak myself, but I still find the argument strange that a turbo option, and/or more power, will not increase is potential appeal. Ruling out a manual-transmission option may actually have more effect, although few folks today outside of die-hard enthusiasts choose a traditional three-pedal transmission anyway.
06-04-20, 02:33 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
06-04-20, 05:41 PM
#24
06-04-20, 05:48 PM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
I never said it was......but that wasn't your question. You asked who was going to spend 40K for a non-luxury sedan, and I simply gave you a factual example.
Again, that wasn't what you were asking. No, the Mazda3 turbo probably will not equal the WRX's sales, partly because the WRX is so entrenched in the market. But the WRX sales themselves answer your question....who is going to buy a 40K non-upscale sedan.
Where are the "plenty of folks" for the regular Mazda3s??? 
06-04-20, 07:36 PM
#26
I never said it was......but that wasn't your question. You asked who was going to spend 40K for a non-luxury sedan, and I simply gave you a factual example.
Again, that wasn't what you were asking. No, the Mazda3 turbo probably will not equal the WRX's sales, partly because the WRX is so entrenched in the market. But the WRX sales themselves answer your question....who is going to buy a 40K non-upscale sedan.
Again, that wasn't what you were asking. No, the Mazda3 turbo probably will not equal the WRX's sales, partly because the WRX is so entrenched in the market. But the WRX sales themselves answer your question....who is going to buy a 40K non-upscale sedan.
People aren't buying the regular Mazda3s. Therefore, it doesn't take a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon to figure out that trying to sell a more expensive version of a slow selling car isn't going to set the sales charts on fire. Think Mitsubishi and the Lancer Evo. The Lancer Evo did not help with Mitsubishi's overall sales. And where is the Lancer Evo now? Gone from Mitsubishi's lineup?
Last edited by F1Driver; 06-04-20 at 07:44 PM.
06-04-20, 08:35 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
The big question, of course, is exactly how much it will widen the sales appeal. That, we won't know until it actually goes on sale.
06-04-20, 10:50 PM
#28
Again, apples and oranges. It's not necessarily a matter of setting the charts on fire, but the addition of a turbo will most definitely increase its sales appeal.....particularly among younger people. To say it won't is simply hiding from reality.
The big question, of course, is exactly how much it will widen the sales appeal. That, we won't know until it actually goes on sale.
The big question, of course, is exactly how much it will widen the sales appeal. That, we won't know until it actually goes on sale.
06-05-20, 06:01 AM
#29
18” alloy wheels (dark grey high-lustre metallic finish)
Automatic headlight levelling
Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)
Signature lighting on front and rear lights
Advanced keyless entry (proximity and ignition)
Leather-trimmed seats
10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory (linked to exterior mirrors)
Exterior mirrors with reverse tilt-down function
SBS-R and SBS-RC
Rear parking sensors
Navigation
ADD (HUD)
Traffic Sign Recognition
Front wiper heaters
Bose 12-speaker system
and a bunch of other small interior accent bits.
2020 Mazda6 GS-L with base 2.5 is $34k. That exact same model with the 2.5T is $36k. That's a $2k difference for just the turbo. Given that the 3 and 6 share the same 2.5 engine, if they were adding only the turbo to the AWD 3, it would also be $2k more.
06-05-20, 06:13 AM
#30
There are rumours of Mazda developing a RWD-based inline-6 platform. I could see them adding the turbo to the current 3 to keep Mazda heads interested for the next couple of years, then axe the 3 and go all in on a Mazda6 with the new platform.