Before the turbocharged Mazda3 was born, the Hiroshima-based automaker teased the world with a hotter version of the compact hatchback – the Mazda3 TCR. As its name implies, the force-inducted Mazda3 is meant to race at TCR-sanctioned championships around the world, starting with the four-hour Endurance Challenge part of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. It's scheduled to take part in the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

But as we know, that didn't happen, and a recent report confirms that the Mazda3 race programme won't come to fruition at all.

Gallery: Mazda3 TCR race car

The report came from Grassroots Motorsports, Mazda USA’s Director, Communications & Experiential Marketing Emily Taylor giving the confirmation to the publication last August 11, 2020.

Taylor said, "Given the recent conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has elected to cancel the development programme for the Mazda3 TCR car. We thank all our fans and partners for their continued support for Mazda Motorsports."

This news is quite understandable, though. The coronavirus pandemic has huge adverse effects in the automotive industry, with automakers either optimizing their lineups or worse, axing names completely.

Nevertheless, at least the US and other markets get a turbocharged road-going Mazda3. Fed by 87-octane fuel, the 2.5-litre turbo four-banger makes 227 bhp and 310 lb-ft of torque of torque. On 93 octane, however, it can produce up to 250 bhp and 320 lb-ft. Power is sent to all four wheels via an automatic gearbox.