Mazda3 Diesel: 2015 XD Astina Price And Features For Australia

The all-new Mazda3 range has been rounded out this week with an Australian debut for the new XD Astina diesel hatch.

Entering at the top of the Mazda3 family, the XD Astina is priced from $40,230 with a six-speed manual, while the six-speed auto adds a $2000 premium.

That places the new diesel model above the previous range-topper, the SP25 Astina, which is priced from $36,190.

Mazda Australia expects the new diesel model to make up 2.0 percent of all Mazda3 sales this year, compared to 6.0 percent for the SP25 Astina and - at the entry end - a whopping 20.5 and 29 percent for the Neo and Maxx models.

The remaining split is expected to see 11.5 percent of sales go to the Touring grade, 15 percent to the SP25 and 16.0 percent to the SP25 GT.

XD Astina: 2.2 litre Diesel Engine

Power in the XD is provided by the same 2.2 litre diesel that drives models in the CX-5 and Mazda6 lines, offering 129kW at 4500rpm and 420Nm at 2000rpm.

Existing engine options with the Mazda3 include a pair of petrol units, one a 113kW/200Nm 2.0 litre and the other a 138kW/250Nm 2.5 litre mill.

The XD Astina’s debut also marks the first appearance of Mazda’s i-ELOOP regnerative braking system in the 3 range.

That technology, combined with the new diesel engine and i-stop idle stop/start, contributes to fuel consumption figures of just 5.0 l/100km in manual form and 5.2 for the auto.

By comparison, the small 2.0 litre petrol unit lists fuel use at between 5.7 and 5.9 l/100km, while the thirstier 2.5 engine lists figures between 6.0 and 6.5 l/100km.

CO2 emissions with the 2.2 litre diesel are listed at 129g/km for the manual, and 137g/km for the auto.