The hot hatch market in the United States remains a source of constant confusion for automakers. While Volkswagen manages to achieve perennial success with the Golf in GTI and R trim, Ford couldn't come close to selling enough Focus RS examples to keep the potent hatchback in the lineup.
Meanwhile, lower-end products like the Mazda 3 can't seem to decide whether they're luxury city cars or sporty daily drivers, as Mazda took a half step recently by adding an all-wheel-drive system but without an upgraded engine to match. But now, if a Jalopnik report quoting an unnamed source is to believed, Mazda has finally decided to give the Mazda 3 the turbocharged engine it's always deserved.
Pump It Up
Currently, buyers in the market for Mazda's attractive hatchback can choose between a stick shift and all-wheel drive, but not both. Regardless, every trim level of the Mazda 3 leaves the factory equipped with a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter inline-four producing 186 horsepower.
A turbocharged variant hasn't existed in the Mazda 3 lineup since the MazdaSpeed3 went out of production in 2013. But Jalopnik quotes a source they claim is credible, having accurately predicted the CX-5 crossover's diesel debut in 2019, with a finger on the pulse of Mazda's dealer extranet system that points to the forthcoming turbocharged variant.
The Details
Apparently, Mazda sent dealerships a document with the 2021 model year vehicle codes, one of which reads "MAZDA3 HB PP TURBO." That's a pretty strong indication that a turbocharger should be in the works. Speculation remains about what the "PP" stands for, though "HB" obviously means hatchback.
Jalopnik nonetheless reports that the turbocharged engine will be available on both the hatch as well as the Mazda 3 sedan, and only available on those equipped with all-wheel drive. All that remains to be seen is whether this report gets confirmed by Mazda anytime soon.
Source: Jalopnik