Mazda3 MPS Primed for a Showdown

Motoring Channel Staff - 6/Mar/2006

Mazda used the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland as a spring board to launch its new Mazda3 range, knowing full well the world's media would be all over it like a rash.

But more than just unveiling the new look Mazda3 range, the Japanese-based, Ford-owned company revealed its new hot hatch contender, the Mazda3 MPS.

Not just a warmed-over Mazda3, the fiery new MPS hatch lays down some big numbers, and signals a new level of competition that will force other hot hatches to follow suit or be left behind.

Mazda revealed the front-wheel drive Mazda3 MPS will be powered by Mazda's 2.3-litre direct injection, spark ignition engine, boasting more than 184kW @ 5400rpm and 380Nm of torque @ 3000rpm.

These sorts of power and torque numbers show the level of intent at Mazda, who are no doubt keen to be king of the hot hatch hill, and lays down the gauntlet for the  likes of the upcoming Focus XR5 Turbo and VW Golf GTI - and even prestige 6-cylinder models like the BMW 130i and Alfa Romeo 147 GTA.

Installed in a lightweight and compact body, the Mazda3 MPS's 2.3-litre turbo engine propels the hatch to a top speed of 250km/h, and from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Mazda reckons these figures make the Mazda3 MPS one of the world’s most powerful front-drive sports compacts, and there could be some truth to the claim.

Furthermore, Mazda explains that to handle this level of performance, the engine's torque characteristics have been carefully controlled to improve driveability while not ripping the drivers arms off with catastrophic levels of torque steer.

Torque delivery from 1st through 4th gears are optimised to deliver appropriate drive power from take off, while torque control is also linked to the steering angle, and the stiffness of the left and right drive shafts is balanced with the angles which are optimised to keep torque steer at manageable levels. Even better, a newly-developed limited slip differential is also adopted to provide ample torque to the inner wheel during hard cornering for smooth, predictable driving.

Getting 380Nm of torque to the front wheels is a 6-speed manual transmission (the same unit as used on the Mazda6 MPS) which Mazda says provides the driver with the pleasure of having full control over the vehicle’s high power, while contributing to a quiet ride and decent fuel economy.

The chassis upgrades that span body, suspension and brakes, say Mazda, are specially tuned as part of the vehicle’s all-round optimisation and the result is outstanding performance and agile handling that deliver high levels of driving pleasure.

The changes to the vehicle's appearance are not simply to highlight its flagship status, but have a practical purpose by lowering its drag coefficient to 0.31. 

Aerodynamically, it is a more accomplished vehicle than the standard Mazda3; Mazda explains that special attention was paid to reducing drag to enable a top speed of 250 km/h, and to achieving aerodynamic performance that supports stable straight running, lane changing and overtaking manoeuvres at high speeds. As such, a wide variety of underfloor parts were employed, to achieve the superior aerodynamic performance target of 0.31 Cd.

Large diameter disc brakes ensure that deceleration is strong, employing ventilated 320mm discs up front and solid 280mm discs at rear. Standard equipment includes ABS, emergency brake assist, and dynamic stability control (DSC), all of which provide active safety for the MPS in a range of driving scenarios.

Based on the 5-door hatchback model, the Mazda3 MPS gets a number of body reinforcements to increase its body stiffness and to stand up to the extra demands of hard driving, such as a reinforced front cowl member that is joined directly to a plate in the top section of the front damper mount, assuring the same rigidity as a car fitted with strut tower bars. This prevents deformation of the front suspension towers and maintains correct suspension geometry under high lateral loads. 

In the lower body, a large closed section member is employed to reinforce the floor tunnel which improves the torsional rigidity of whole body. At the rear, the gusset introduced at the bottom end of the rear suspension towers restrains the tendency of the towers to displace inwards, maintaining the correct suspension geometry in the rear. 

With a butch new look, the MPS performance model gets front wheel arches that are 20mm wider than on the base model to provide clearance for the large tyres and to evoke a well-planted stance. And to forge a uniform identity for the MPS series, two design elements are shared with the Mazda6 MPS: strong press lines flowing back along the bonnet from the upper part of the 5-point grille used as the air intake for the intercooler, and the aerodynamically shaped front bumper and large lower grille serving as the air intake for the radiator. 

Additionally, the "floating image" slim-line fog lamps used here for the first time communicate the vehicle's unique personality, while an athletic yet elegant side view is created by aerodynamic side skirts and 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminium alloy wheels. The rear view is characterised by the design of the rear bumper, while the large 95mm diameter tailpipe alludes to its powerful 4-stroke turbo engine.

Since its launch in 2003, the Mazda3 has become Mazda’s best-selling vehicle and the company has had to increase production to meet global demand, and in addition to the ripping MPS model, and to further enhance its global popularity, Mazda has refreshed its compact car's line-up with a new 2006 version.

Mazda says that new exterior enhancements to both the modern and elegant sedan and the sporty hatchback further support a standard Mazda3 line up with two distinct models for customers to choose from. The Mazda3’s MZR 2.0-litre engine now features sequential valve timing and an electronic throttle, boosting power and torque, while the 2.3-litre engine that powers the popular SP23 models also gets an electronic throttle. A 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic will be offered on the SP23 sedan and hatch.

Changes to the Mazda3’s driving dynamics have been made via alterations to the dampers/shockers, while the tweaked exterior styling results in better aerodynamics for better handling, stability and driving fun. 

The Mazda3 MPS and the updated Mazda3 range will arrive in Australia during the second half of this year. Specification and pricing will be confirmed at launch time.