Mazda’s compact with the soul of a sports car, the 3, is getting a few new upgrades for the 2012 model year. Easily the best selling car in their line-up, the 3 accounts for than 40 percent of the Mazda’s year-to-date sales. The company plans on continuing with that success by adding an additional heart to pump in extra oomph and extra miles per gallon.
Base price for the 2012 Mazda3 starts at $15,200 for an i Touring with the 148 horsepower MZR 2.0 liter inline four cylinder. New for the model year and dubbed the SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is a new 2.0 liter slatted to accompany the already working MZR. Producing 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, the new mill starts at $18,450 and produces 41 percent better fuel economy. On the highway, the SKYACTIV should average 40 mpg entering it into the hypermile-worthy club. A hatchback with the new engine costs a little more at $18,950. For a little scoot, Mazda3 s models with the 2.5 liter 167 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque MZR can be had at $21,300.
Source: Mazda
