Mazda Confirms New Model For Geneva, Is It The 2020 CX-3?

Mazda has announced the “world premiere of a new model” at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Unfortunately, that’s all the automaker is willing to share for now, with no information about said model being released. Since the all-new Mazda3 debuted late last year and the current CX-5 has been on the market for only two years, we can rule out these models.

The facelifted Mazda6 has only been around for a year, so it would be a little unusual for the all-new generation to arrive in 2019. As for the MX-5, it received significant updates last autumn including a more powerful 2.0-liter engine. Then there’s the Mazda2 supermini, which received a mid-cycle update in 2017. Unless Mazda has a new model line in the pipeline, that leaves us with the CX-3 subcompact crossover.

All-new CX-3 seems the safest bet

On sale since 2016, it received an engine update last year so logic would have it that 2019 should bring a mid-life makeover at the most. However, we do know that Mazda is already working on an all-new CX-3 that uses the platform of the recently-launched Mazda3.

The current CX-3 is based on the Mazda2 and has been criticized for its cramped interior — especially for rear passengers. The carmaker wants to make it bigger so it can target rivals such as the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona.

The shift to the SkyActiv II architecture will make the new CX-3 roomier than the current model as well as more economical thanks to the availability of the SkyActiv-X 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Mazda is expected to bring the new CX-3 to market as early as 2020 and a reveal at the Geneva Motor Show this year would fit the picture.

Forget auto shows, Mazda will go where the people are with its flexible pop-up stand concept

As well as announcing the world premiere of a new model for Geneva, Mazda said it would only attend one auto show per continent each year from now on. In 2019, its European schedule will only include the Swiss venue and not the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Besides Geneva, Mazda will be present at a series of events and venues this year in Europe with a new multi-element pop-up booth. The flexible pop-up stand concept will allow Mazda to present itself to the public in lively places such as sports and music events, shopping streets, and holiday spots.

Thanks to Nabe for the tip!