Mazda is bumping up its hugely popular ‘3’ line with next week’s roll out of the new XD Astina flagship model.
The sporty new Mazda3 XD Astina design will hit showrooms from September 1 as the auto manufacturer’s ‘3’ range looks to claim top honours over the Toyota Carolla as Australia’s No.1 selling car.
Priced at $40,230 plus on-road costs, the Mazda3 XD Astina is some $20,000 more than the entry-level Neo, but includes top-end power and safety features, including the same 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D engine seen in the Mazda 6 and CX-5 SUV lines; capable of an impressive 420Nm of torque.
Among the XD Astina’s top features is the inclusion of the brand’s i-ELOOP regenerative braking, plus sports seats covered in leather and suede, a reversing camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot monitoring, LED fog lights, rear cross-traffic alert, and radar-guided cruise control.
The manual variant ($42, 230) runs at an average fuel consumption rate of just 5.0L/100km, while the auto version goes at 5.2L/100km.
One of the few diesel small hatch vehicles on offer in Australia, the XD Astina will compete head to head with the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus
“Diesel is a core part of Mazda’s technology strategy and it’s great to add the SKYACTIV-D engine to our best-selling Mazda3 range,” said Mazda Australia Director of Marketing Alastair Doak.
“The SKYACTIV-D has been well received in both Mazda6 and CX-5 and it’ll offer something very special when it arrives in the lighter and smaller Mazda3.”
“It’s our goal to produce cars for people who really enjoy driving and the new Mazda3 XD Astina will deliver on that promise.”
Photo: Facebook
