---
title: "Next Mazda3 to Use ‘Revolutionary’ New Engine Tech, Report Says"
description: "A concept previewing the next-generation Mazda3 is expected to bow in October."
date: "2017-08-07"
modified: "2017-08-07"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/13253/next-mazda3-to-use-revolutionary-new-engine-tech-report-says"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "3"
  - "compact"
  - "Compact Cars"
  - "Engine Technology"
  - "Japanese Cars"
  - "mazda"
---

# Next Mazda3 to Use ‘Revolutionary’ New Engine Tech, Report Says

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/08/2017_mazda3_44-e1502062873251.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Mazda is apparently planning to introduce something radical under the hood of the to-be redesigned, next-generation [Mazda3 compact.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/12248/the-2017-mazda3-5-door-grand-touring-review-the-compact-car-perfectly-executed>)

According to Australian auto news outlet [*Motoring*](<https://www.motoring.com.au/revolutionary-2018-mazda3-engine-design-details-soon-108315/>), the 2019 Mazda3 will bring with it an industry-first, ["revolutionary,"](<https://www.motoring.com.au/revolutionary-2018-mazda3-engine-design-details-soon-108315/>) homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI for short. Basically, it eschews spark plugs for a theoretically more efficient system that pushes fuel into a high-pressure [combustion chamber](<https://jalopnik.com/the-next-generation-mazda3-is-coming-soon-and-it-may-ha-1797571665>). Echoing how diesel engines work, this is set to be the first petrol engine in a commercial, production car to use the compression-based ignition system.

Mazda's HCCI-enabled Skyactiv II engines will reportedly still use conventional spark plugs at low RPMs, but switch to the newfangled compression method at higher revs, according to *Motoring*. The Japanese automaker is aiming for a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency thanks to HCCI.

![message-editor%2F1502075549775-2017\_mazda3\_48.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1502075549775-2017_mazda3_48.jpg>)
**Mazda**

As for the new car, a concept previewing the fourth-gen Mazda3 is scheduled to drop at the Tokyo Motor Show this October. While it gets that fancy, new Skyactiv II engine, the MkIV 3 will reportedly sit on the same Skyactiv I platform that underpins the current car—as per Mazda's rule of only using new platforms every other generation. The skin surrounding it, however, will obviously be brand new. We're predicting something along the lines of the new and frankly [uber-cool looking CX-5](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/12372/mazda-is-the-safest-automaker-iihs-says>), but y'know, lower and less crossover-y.

The report goes on to say that HCCI will be present in pretty much all newly redesigned Mazdas going forward, including the [oft-rumored-but-elusive rotary-revival sports car](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/12588/mazda-rx-9-rumors-swirl-once-again-will-allegedly-reveal-in-october>) due out "by the end of this decade" and a plug-in hybrid (Mazda's first) with a possible[ rotary range extender](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/10550/mazda-hints-at-a-return-of-the-rotary-as-a-range-extending-engine>) in 2021.

The new engine tech is slated to be revealed at a Frankfurt technology forum sometime in late August.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)