Is Mazda PH Launching A New Mazda 3 Variant On July 8?

At this point, we know that on July 8, 2020, the turbocharged Mazda 3 will make its debut in the USA, but it seems another new car will be unveiled by Mazda Philippines on that same day. Will it also be the turbocharged Mazda 3?

Mazda Philippines has just released a teaser on its Facebook page showing the front end of the current Mazda 3 along with the launch date of July 8, 2020. The turbocharged Mazda 3 is said to be a project of Mazda USA, so it would be surprising to see if the turbocharged Mazda 3 will also make a simultaneous launch in the Philippines.

There are also other possible scenarios that are worthy of exploration. In overseas markets, the Mazda 3 is available with three other engine choices that we do not get. One is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G that’s also used in the Mazda 6, CX-5, and CX-8, which produces 187 hp and 252 Nm of torque. There is also a 1.8-liter Skyactiv-D turbodiesel that produces 116 hp and 270 Nm of torque. Lastly–but this is also the least likely scenario to happen–is that Mazda Philippines will bring in its revolutionary Skyactiv-X spark controlled compression ignition (SPCCI) engine that combines the benefits of a gasoline and diesel engine. This revolutionary technology reduces fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent and it also uses a 24V mild hybrid system. The Skyactiv-X powertrain produces 178 hp and 224 Nm of torque. There’s also the possibility of bringing an AWD model here in the Philippines, but that’s even further from possibility.

The last possible scenario to explore is that Mazda Philippines is launching a 100th Anniversary Edition of the Mazda 3. This is highly possible and the most likely scenario since the Japanese automaker has said that these limited-edition units celebrating the brand’s centenary will be sold globally. The rest of the Mazda range also gets the 100th Anniversary Edition treatment, though only select models around the world will be getting this treatment.

We guess we have to wait until July 8 to see two Mazda unveilings–a still unknown model for the Philippine market and the turbocharged Mazda 3 that’s set to be unveiled by Mazda USA.