Mazdaspeed3/Mazda 3 MPS debut

[Autox MSP]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Articles/articleId=105417

Mazda Gets Ready to Launch 256-horsepower "Hot Hatch" Version of 3

Date Posted 04-20-2005

HIROSHIMA, Japan — Mazda is readying a 'hot hatch' version of the Mazda3 — and we're talking jalapeño! The 3 MPS (Mazda Performance Series) uses the same 2.3-liter engine as the bigger 6 MPS, and this could make the car the hottest hatch on the market.

The 6 MPS puts out 256 horsepower — way more than the VW Golf GTI (197 hp) or the forthcoming Opel/Vauxhall Astra VXR (237 hp). This should give the 3 MPS a 0-to-60 mph time of below 7 seconds — blistering performance.

The 3 MPS will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale shortly after. Its aggressive styling affirms Mazda is quickly shaking off its fuddy-duddy image, helped by the RX-8 and MX-5 sports cars.

These are likely to be joined in future by a new version of the classic rotary-engined RX-7 two-door coupe. This would sit between the MX-5 and the RX-8 and be powered by the RX-8's powerful rotary engine. Mazda insiders maintain the car will be built, but it is still at least three years away.

What this means to you: Continuing the trend in North America, Mazda is attempting to boost its brand by shedding its dull skin and pumping more exciting models.


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[RODSCALIP5]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Articles/articleId=105417

Mazda Gets Ready to Launch 256-horsepower "Hot Hatch" Version of 3

Date Posted 04-20-2005

HIROSHIMA, Japan — Mazda is readying a 'hot hatch' version of the Mazda3 — and we're talking jalapeño! The 3 MPS (Mazda Performance Series) uses the same 2.3-liter engine as the bigger 6 MPS, and this could make the car the hottest hatch on the market.

The 6 MPS puts out 256 horsepower — way more than the VW Golf GTI (197 hp) or the forthcoming Opel/Vauxhall Astra VXR (237 hp). This should give the 3 MPS a 0-to-60 mph time of below 7 seconds — blistering performance.

The 3 MPS will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale shortly after. Its aggressive styling affirms Mazda is quickly shaking off its fuddy-duddy image, helped by the RX-8 and MX-5 sports cars.

These are likely to be joined in future by a new version of the classic rotary-engined RX-7 two-door coupe. This would sit between the MX-5 and the RX-8 and be powered by the RX-8's powerful rotary engine. Mazda insiders maintain the car will be built, but it is still at least three years away.

What this means to you: Continuing the trend in North America, Mazda is attempting to boost its brand by shedding its dull skin and pumping more exciting models.


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A little too late for me :(. So it looks like it will be a hatch.

[cbcbd]

If it handles well and isn't a fat pig this might just be my next car

[RenzoMSP]

With 256hp it better be awd.

[FBI14]

Only comes as a hatch.... (notcool)

[RenzoMSP]

Only comes as a hatch.... (notcool)
I think the hatches look better.(thumb)

[cbcbd]

I think the hatches look better.(thumb)
I agree, but I also think the sedan looks pretty sweet

[LASERBLUE135]

Only comes as a hatch.... (notcool)
I don't care if it comes in a plastic bag...as long as it does what it's supposed to do on the road and the PRICE IS RIGHT.

[FBI14]

I dont think the 5door 3 looks good comapred to the 3 sedan, the "wagon" style doesnt much appeal to me...its looks like the Mazda Van and a suv were put together (pukey)

[mikeyb]

I think I replied to a post about this yesterday because I was going to post about it in the Mazda 3 subforum. Watchout STi and EVO. Where is the Focus RS?

[Stormtrooper77]

"This should give the 3 MPS a 0-to-60 mph time of below 7 seconds — blistering performance."

That's it?! Some stock MSP's already do that.

[Super Matty P]

I refuse to get excited until I see it and get concrete performance numbers. Mazda has let me down many times before.... MP3, MSP, MSM, RX8 MS6, anyone...

[RenzoMSP]

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODg4OTc3NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODg4OTc4NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg
The Mazda3 sedan is a little too similar.

[LASERBLUE135]

The Mazda3 sedan is a little too similar.
I think if you look at the ass end of lots of cars they will look "similar", I mean a trunk, tail lights, and exhaust. that's about it. I don't think they look similar AT ALL, except for the COLOR...don't dis Mazda for that.

[LASERBLUE135]

I refuse to get excited until I see it and get concrete performance numbers. Mazda has let me down many times before.... MP3, MSP, MSM, RX8 MS6, anyone...
WHAT!!! MSM Miata is $24K and kicks total ass, what are you compairing it to???
MP3 was remarkable for the time it was introduced (times have changed)
MSP, save for the fact that you can't kick the shit out of it, was probably the best compact at the time it was made (now SRT4 has trumped it IMO) but to call it a let down is wrong.
RX8 looks fantastic (way better and more agressive than homely350Z) it may not be near as fast as we hoped but to drive this thing is pure ecstasy! Not bad for $26K brand frickin new!

and lastly the true black sheep, the MS6. This think looks like SHIT, FAKE EXHAUST PIPES DRIVE ME CRAZY!!! It's not the Evo/wrx fighter we wanted and it's not nearly as good as we expected it to be. OTHER THAN THIS THING MAZDA BREAKS NEW GROUND AND TAKES CHANCES OTHER CAR COMPANIES DON'T. I love Mazda.

And even this car that I call a POS (MS6) What is this car's competition...Audi A4? That's about it. It's probably the best car in its catagory.

Have you DRIVEN any of these cars you're dissing???? I challenge you to come up with better cars, in the price range and catagory (convertable, coupe, compact, etc.) make sure to include the year they were produced and price - GOOD LUCK

[FBI14]

I refuse to get excited until I see it and get concrete performance numbers. Mazda has let me down many times before.... MP3, MSP, MSM, RX8 MS6, anyone...

Those cars didnt live up to your expactions in performance ( sounds like your talking about speed) but the Protege 5 did(screwy) . Where was it stated that the MP3, MSP or MSM were supposed to be top of their class in performance....The MP3 (MSP same set-up basically) was rated as one of the best handling cars around with the likes of a 360 Modena and a Lotus...the Miata is one of the all-time best roadsters ever and many people asked for some extra power..it came.... Mazda isnt about stright line speed, there forte has always been handling and with all of the cars you just mentioned (excluding the MS6, the Base 6 has already be regarded as a good handling car for its class) handle wonderfully and are close to if not at the top of their class in the handling department....

[FBI14]

WHAT!!! MSM Miata is $24K and kicks total ass, what are you compairing it to???
MP3 was remarkable for the time it was introduced (times have changed)
MSP, save for the fact that you can't kick the shit out of it, was probably the best compact at the time it was made (now SRT4 has trumped it IMO) but to call it a let down is wrong.
RX8 looks fantastic (way better and more agressive than homely350Z) it may not be near as fast as we hoped but to drive this thing is pure ecstasy! Not bad for $26K brand frickin new!

and lastly the true black sheep, the MS6. This think looks like SHIT, FAKE EXHAUST PIPES DRIVE ME CRAZY!!! It's not the Evo/wrx fighter we wanted and it's not nearly as good as we expected it to be. OTHER THAN THIS THING MAZDA BREAKS NEW GROUND AND TAKES CHANCES OTHER CAR COMPANIES DON'T. I love Mazda.

And even this car that I call a POS (MS6) What is this car's competition...Audi A4? That's about it. It's probably the best car in its catagory.

Have you DRIVEN any of these cars you're dissing???? I challenge you to come up with better cars, in the price range and catagory (convertable, coupe, compact, etc.) make sure to include the year they were produced and price - GOOD LUCK

Atleast one other person gets it....(2thumbs)

[MSP #167]

I refuse to get excited until I see it and get concrete performance numbers. Mazda has let me down many times before.... MP3, MSP, MSM, RX8 MS6, anyone...

if you don't like it then get the fuck out!!!






LASERBLUE135, FBI14 - I agree with you both.

[Super Matty P]

you guys are pussys. just fyi I've owned most of the cars I mentioned as being "let downs".

Just because a car turns well doesn't mean it's tops in it's class. I love mazdas handling more than any other brand but their overall performance leaves a LOT to be desired.

the MP3....rated as a super-handler but extremely underpowered (as mentioend by every major review I've ever read)

the MSP...nothing more than a mp3 with a very inefficent turbo system added to it with a 40hp increase...not nearly enough to be competitive considering the SRT4, RSX-S, SE-R SpecV and Tiburon GT can all outrun it. Sure the MSP turns well but thats all it does.

The MSM is a rwd roadster that weighs NOTHING and even with a turbocharger and 7.5psi they can't muster decent acceleration times. Sure they are much peppier than a stock MX5 but they are not "blistering performers". The MSM is probably the best performance car out of mazda in 3 years.

The RX8 is a great car all around but the NA renesis is not a real strong engine. They are silky smooth and great touring cars but they are not sports cars. While I love the rotary engine and it's oddities I think the 350Z pulls off the psuedo-sports car thing better.

the MS6 is crud....it hasn't even come out yet and Mazda...mazda themselves is already claiming it's only .1s faster than it's standard fwd 6cyl brother....VERY dissappointing for an AWD turbo car. The reason Mazda claims they are comparing it to the Subaru is becuase there is no shot in hell of competing on ANY level with an evo/sti. Even the early reviews of the car say it's handling is off...not what I consider a "mazdaspeed" vehicle to have.

Out of all the mazdas I've owned I've enjoyed my P5 and RX8 most. I never bought the P5 as a "performer"...I turned it into one. The vehicle is underpowered from the factory....as is most EVERY mazda model sold....no wait...EVERY mazda car/truck/suv s underpowered to compete today....name one mazda vehicle that exceeds it's competition....I dare you to try.

"get the fuck out"??? Are you serious?? is that some sort of e-threat??

[FBI14]

not nearly enough to be competitive considering the SE-R SpecV and Tiburon GT can all outrun it. Sure the MSP turns well but thats all it does.



this guy knows what hes talking about (rofl2)

[FBI14]

you guys are pussys.


"get the fuck out"??? Are you serious?? is that some sort of e-threat??


true genius

[vindication]

matty, the tiburon gt nor the se-r specv outrun the MSP. Also for the high quality interior and exterior and reliablity and handling, if you were to add power to that, most mazdas would be up class cars around at least $25k. Remember you cat have all 3 performance, reliablity, and saftey especially for under $25k.

I am waiting to here accurate concrete numbers before I say another word about the MS3

[Super Matty P]

vind....I spent many weekends at the track in the MSP and stock for stock it never beat the SE-r's, SRT's or RSX's....i know you guys would say it's because I suck at driving and that may be true but no matter who drove it it just never went 15.5s in the quarter. 9.7s in the 1/8th was about as fast as it would go without new wheels and drag radials.

I love the people bashing me for saying what we all know is true....mazda makes great handling cars (with the exception of the reports on the MS6) but they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to acceleration....why you guys feel it's so important to try to fight me on it is beyond me.

I guess if I threw around a few more "fuck you hater" posts I could garner some support from people who don't their ass from a hole in the ground.

[MSP #167]

this guy knows what hes talking about (rofl2)

Yea i know, and that's even a slow test for the msp....stock most of us run 15.0-15.3.

[Super Matty P]

wow....bragging over a 15s quartermile in a turbo car. Do you not see where I'm coming from??

[FBI14]

Yeah your right maybe all the MSP owers should have bought the $30,000 A4 1.8t with a 15sec 1/4....and whos bragging we were just stating you were wrong

[MSP #167]

wow....bragging over a 15s quartermile in a turbo car. Do you not see where I'm coming from??

Look at the power, its not about being turbo or not 170 hp =15's.

anything under 200hp runs around high 14-15's.

[Newf]

jesus I can get better then 15.5 seconds with a stop watch in my hand. Must be the colder weather

anyhow, back on topic.... ME DON'T WANT HATCH.

ME WANT SEDAN

ME WAIT FOR SEDAN.

the end.

[YuYuRena]

ahhh i love the joy of this another argument about power. well to add more fuel to this argument consider this. the msp, mp3, or the other aforementioned "disappointed" vehicle can basically carry the same speed into the turn or faster than the other cars that can "outrun" it. In racing it's not just about foot to the metal, I can program a monkey to do that, the hard part, the true racing thing is the timing, the coordination, and the sheer "insanity" to wait until that last second to hit the brake. that's true racing...and in that, I believe the mazda did very well. look at the lotus elise, only 190hp but i'm willing to bet it'll outrun all that pos fwd car you just listed and cars more expensive too. it's not about the hp figure but the whole tuning. if you want 1/4 why did you buy a japanese car??? go get a car from detroit.

but on the other hand, did you guys read the bottom of that article??? RX7 coming back "possibly" in 3 years!!!!! Holy cow, I can't wait for that sucker to come back. I just hope mazda didn't bloat it up like every other car, keep in under 2600 lb mazda, please!!!

[36Crazyfists]

the mazda 3 hatches are fugly, now the sedans do look quite sexy

[eting_pro5]

I agree that the hatch is not so pretty...especially compared to the sedan. BUT! I'm banking on the MS3 being a hatch.

Hardware will be the T5, AWD and 6 speed from the Volvo S40. Output will be 220 HP. Price will be $21-$23K.

[ZoomZoomH]

uh, the engine will be the 2.3 direct injection turbo from the MS6, it says clearly in the article... doubt it's gonna be a reskinned T5 S40 AWD.

but holy shiite, first 'unofficial official' acknowledgment of the return of the almighty RX-7. I hope that'll keep people interested in Mazda for a few years while they work on it :D

[Roywhitep5]

the 3 hatch look nice as long as it's dumped(1 inch of clearance)