Just got an email from Mazda to check out the 2012 3 with the SKYACTIV motor. *Based on 2012 EPA-estimates for Mazda3 i 4-Door models with 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and SKYACTIV-Drive at 28 city/40 highway mpg.

 

I got the same E-Mail, and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed Mazda. Why? Because I had inferred from statements made by Mazda since SkyActiv was first announced that SkyActiv equipped Mazda3s would be available across the board, as stripped or as tarted-up as one would like. After looking at the option sheet I see one option (dual-zone climate control) I really like/demand and a number of other options I'd prefer to have which are limited to cars powered by the rather inefficient 2.5 liter engine.

 

It might take a while to make its way through the options.
But I won't be buying one until they change the look of the car again.

 

It's looking like Mrs. Shipo is going to be buying herself a new ride in the next month or two, and a SkyActiv Mazda3 is fairly high on her (rather bizarre) list. For my part, at the rate I'm going I'll have roughly 100,000 miles on my 2009 Mazda3 in a little over a year, and that means I'll be ready for a new car roughly when the Mazda3 makes its U.S. debut with the SkyActiv-D engine. Assuming I can option a diesel version in the same way I'd option an "s" model, a new Mazda3, goofy grin and all, will be on my short list.

The good news for me at least is that BMW is making noise about entering the small car diesel fray with a 320d built on the new F30 platform which is able to get to 60 in just over seven seconds and push nearly 50 mpg.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.