2019 Mazda 3 to be previewed at Tokyo Motor Show

MAZDA will debut two new concepts at this month’s Tokyo Motor show, previewing next-generation production vehicles.

The first, Mazda says “heralds the company’s next-generation products”, and is believed to be our first glimpse at a next-gen Mazda 3 hatch.

The current-gen Mazda 3 was launched in 2013. Assuming Mazda will stick to the industry’s usual cadence of six-year model lifespans, that means we can expect its replacement to arrive sometime in 2019.

And that meshes well with what we already know about the SkyActiv architecture and high-compression, ultra-efficient SkyActiv-X engine that’s expected to reside beneath the new Mazda 3’s taut sheetmetal. Both of those technologies are scheduled to enter production in 2019, meaning the Mazda 3 will be the first recipient of the Japanese carmaker’s cutting-edge tech.

The three-row Mazda CX-8 will also be on display at the Motor Show, along with a special edition MX-5 Red Top, which features a special cherry red canopy and auburn Nappa leather interior.