IAB Report - Mazda CX-3 compact SUV (EcoSport rival) teased ahead of LA debut

29/10/2014 - 11:50 Mazda CX-3, Mazda, 2014 LA Auto Show Anjan Ravi

The facelifted 6 and CX-5 will also debut at the show.

Post the day before yesterday's report, Mazda have announced that the world premiere of their entry-level crossover, the CX-3, will indeed take place at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show which opens its doors to the media on November 18. The company has also released a teaser sketch of the car.

Mazda CX-3 official sketch — The CX-3 would be based on the Mazda2's platform.

The CX-3 will be the third model in Mazda's crossover lineup after the CX-5 and CX-9 models, and the fifth vehicle to use the SKYACTIV technology and the KODO design language. Speaking about the CX-3's design, Mazda says that the design has "evolved to produce a sharper form with an enhanced sense of speed."

The CX-3 is reported to be based on the new Mazda2's platform, and will likely get its 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing about 113 bhp and 148 Nm of torque. The transmissions are likely to be 6-speed manual and automatic units, driving the front wheels (an AWD model may not be offered according to reports).

Mazda CX-5 test mule India front grille — The CX-3 will slot in beneath the CX-5, that was spotted testing in India in 2012. For now, Mazda does not appear to have plans to foray into India.

Mazda have also confirmed that the updated versions of the CX-5 and Mazda6 will premiere at the show.

Also read: 2015 Mazda2 gets ASEAN debut at IIMS

Competitors: Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke, Honda Vezel, Ssangyong X100
Expected Price: From 15,000 UK pounds (INR 15 lakhs)
Launch date: 2015 in Europe