Just a few weeks after it emerged that a turbocharged variant of the Mazda3 is in the works, the Japanese car manufacturer has previewed the engine note of this very car.
Screenshots from Mazda’s extranet system used by U.S. dealerships recently indicated the 2021 model year Mazda3 will be available in the United States with a turbocharged engine in both sedan and hatchback body styles. Additionally, the dealer system listed the turbo’d model as being equipped with all-wheel drive.
Not only does this teaser reveal how the compact car will sound with this engine, but it also flashes up the date of July 8, 2020, which could be when the car is revealed or at the very least, when official details about it are announced.
Read More: A Turbocharged Mazda3 With All-Wheel Drive Is Allegedly Coming
The most likely candidate to power this new flagship Mazda3 model will be the automaker’s 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine currently used in the Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9. This engine is rated at a very respectable 250 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque, giving the car the same horsepower as the entry-level Hyundai i30 N and roughly 51 lb-ft (70 Nm) of additional torque.
Despite what these impressive figures may suggest, it seems unlikely Mazda will market the car as a hot hatch and it almost certainly won’t feature the same trick limited-slip differentials and suspension setups like cars such as the VW Golf GTI and i30 N. What’s more, it is understood the Mazda3 turbo will only be available with an automatic transmission and not a six-speed manual.