I recieved my October issue of Car and Driver magazine today (really early for some reason) There is a 1 page 'preview' of the MS3 on page 102.
"The Mazda 3 is already a huge hit, but until now there hasn't been a performace version. That changes with the Mazdaspeed 3, which is targeted, according to chief engineer Tatsuo Maeda, directly at the Volkswagen GTI. Externally, the Mazdaspeed3 gets subtle yet sporty upgrades to the grille and bumpers, and a rear roof spoiler and 18 inch rims. Inside, the two-tone interior trim, the red stitching, the leather steering wheel and gear-shifter, and the polished aluminum pedals make it feel very European. Tipping the scales at roughly 3100 pounds, the Mazdaspeed 3 is lighter than the GTI and boasts and advantage of 64 horsepower and 74 pound-feet over its German rival. Employing the same 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo unit as the Mazdaspeed 6, but with retuned intake and exhaust systems and a modified ECU that reduces torue levels in the first three gears, the Mazdaspeed 3 generates 256 horses at 5500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 3000 rpm. This translates to a 0-to-60 time of well under six seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. Power comes on from 2500 rpm and stays hot all the way to the 6750-rpm redline. The linear torque response is more akin to that of a gusty V-6 than a turbo four. The six-speed manual transmission is typically slick and easy to use. To reduce wheelspin and torque-steer, Mazda reinforced the driveshafts and fitted a specially tuned torque-sensing limited-slip differential. Other modifications to the 3's chassis include extra reinforcement around the floor and center tunnel and across the strut towers, plus higher spring rates and thicker anti-roll bars. The larger brakes and calipers are modified from those of the Volvo S60, and the 3 is equipped with sticky Bridgestone RE050A tires. Honed in Germany, this suspension and chassis package is terrific, and the ride quality and the noise levels are suprisingly good. In short, this is a serious rival to the GTI, especially since Mazda claims it will be priced right around $23,000 when it goes on sale this fall.
Performance ratings
zero to 60 mph ...................... 5.3 sec
Standing 1/4-mile.................. 13.9 sec
Top speed (governor limited).....149 mph
*All information was taken from Car and Driver magazine Vol.52 No.4 October 2006
"The Mazda 3 is already a huge hit, but until now there hasn't been a performace version. That changes with the Mazdaspeed 3, which is targeted, according to chief engineer Tatsuo Maeda, directly at the Volkswagen GTI. Externally, the Mazdaspeed3 gets subtle yet sporty upgrades to the grille and bumpers, and a rear roof spoiler and 18 inch rims. Inside, the two-tone interior trim, the red stitching, the leather steering wheel and gear-shifter, and the polished aluminum pedals make it feel very European. Tipping the scales at roughly 3100 pounds, the Mazdaspeed 3 is lighter than the GTI and boasts and advantage of 64 horsepower and 74 pound-feet over its German rival. Employing the same 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo unit as the Mazdaspeed 6, but with retuned intake and exhaust systems and a modified ECU that reduces torue levels in the first three gears, the Mazdaspeed 3 generates 256 horses at 5500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 3000 rpm. This translates to a 0-to-60 time of well under six seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. Power comes on from 2500 rpm and stays hot all the way to the 6750-rpm redline. The linear torque response is more akin to that of a gusty V-6 than a turbo four. The six-speed manual transmission is typically slick and easy to use. To reduce wheelspin and torque-steer, Mazda reinforced the driveshafts and fitted a specially tuned torque-sensing limited-slip differential. Other modifications to the 3's chassis include extra reinforcement around the floor and center tunnel and across the strut towers, plus higher spring rates and thicker anti-roll bars. The larger brakes and calipers are modified from those of the Volvo S60, and the 3 is equipped with sticky Bridgestone RE050A tires. Honed in Germany, this suspension and chassis package is terrific, and the ride quality and the noise levels are suprisingly good. In short, this is a serious rival to the GTI, especially since Mazda claims it will be priced right around $23,000 when it goes on sale this fall.
Performance ratings
zero to 60 mph ...................... 5.3 sec
Standing 1/4-mile.................. 13.9 sec
Top speed (governor limited).....149 mph
*All information was taken from Car and Driver magazine Vol.52 No.4 October 2006
