Mazda's Returns to Turbo Traditions

When the Mazda6 first reared it's taut, sculpted head mid way through 2002, it signalled a revival of sorts for the Japanese car builder.

The follow-up was the Mazda RX-8. Unique in a number of ways, it showed that the Japanese could still create an exotic sportscar, with exciting engineering and reliability, topped off with a fairly good horsepower-to-cash ratio.

And following the more mainstream, but no less important Mazda2 and Mazda3 models will be the marque's new people mover to replace the MPV, codenamed the MX-Flexa.

Sales are up, the shareholders are happy and Ford is giving the company a good level of autonomy - so what's next for Mazda?

Turbocharging. And lots of it.

With a little bit of luck and solid consumer feedback, the MPS concept may end up one day rolling off the production lines at Mazda's huge Hiroshima factory in Japan.

Apart from the look - which inherits all of the Mazda6's bold lines plus a handful of subtle-but-sporty extras - the MPS makes lots of sense commercially too.

Think of Subaru's Liberty for a moment. There are a number of capable entry-level models, the volume sellers if you like, and then there's the GT: A turbocharged, lightning fast, hero car.

The MPS could easily be the Mazda6's GT, and it would help garner more interest in the entire Mazda6 range, plus there's also the fact that the V6 version of the Mazda6 isn't sold here in Australia - even more reason for a blown 4-cylinder model.

Shown recently at the 2004 Brisbane International Motor Show (Feb 6-15), perhaps to test Australian sentiment towards such a vehicle, the Mazda6 MPS concept takes the same 2.3-litre inline 4-cylinder engine from the standard model and almost doubles the power thanks to forced induction.

Mazda's senior managing executive officer, Stephen Odell, who was in Australia last month, said: "Mazda should have a flavour of sports cars in everything we do.

"In terms of out and out performance there is an opportunity for us to create a car that is not too far removed from this concept."

As it stands, the MPS concept is an exceptionally quick car, making the Subaru GT look rather grey in comparison.

Powered by a direct-injection, turbocharged/intercooled version of Mazda's 2.3-litre MZR engine, the powerplant combines low emissions and excellent fuel efficiency with high performance.

The 2261cc engine, with 4-valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts, delivers 206kW @ 6500rpm.

Peak torque hits a good 3000rpm lower in the rev range, 360Nm @ 3500rpm, making for a very lusty powerband indeed.

360Nm isn't a paltry figure in anyone's book, especially considering the car's light weight, meaning 0-100km/h times of under 6.0 seconds can't be ruled out.

In addition to the fairly light weight, expected to be slightly heavier than the existing 1397kg range-topping Luxury Sports, the MPS also benefits from an AWD transmission.

To make best use of the engine's 206kW of power, a sophisticated traction system is employed. The Mazda6's all-wheel-drive system, which is already available in some overseas markets, has been upgraded in the MPS concept, the most notable addition being active torque control.

The result is an electronically controlled torque-split, all-wheel-drive system that is capable of delivering impressive traction, ultimately improving both straight line and mid-corner performance.

A torque responsive rear LSD (Limited Ship Differential) has also made the concept car cut, which helps maximise cornering ability, and the Mazda6 MPS concept drives through a 6-speed manual transmission. The six ratios are spaced to make best use of the engine’s impressive torque peak and, appropriately for a high-performance car, the shift provides short throws for fast, accurate gear changes.

The new styling cues for the MPS concept, which are based on the Mazda6 hatchback, contribute to a subtle yet sporty image. Styled at Mazda's European R&D Centre in Oberursel, Germany, the concept reflects "sporty sophistication combined with powerful dynamism" in Mazda speak.

From the front, the high performance turbo Mazda gets an RX-8 inspired air dam, bigger than the standard Mazda6 in order to feed larger volumes of of cool air to the modified engine. Gone are the chrome-backed brake light clusters at the rear, replaced with matte black surrounds, while the dual rectangular exhausts pipes denote the MPS as something more than just a dressed-up Mazda6.

Moreover, light weight 18-inch alloy rims, futuristic side mirrors, low profile rubber and flared wheel arches hint at the car's performance potential, while the high-mounted double wishbone front and rear multi-link suspension systems have been strengthened and fine-tuned to improve grip levels and handling at the limit.

As a show car, the Mazda6 MPS concept is a success. As a production car - who knows? - maybe it'll become the new WRX, a cult car with massive straight line and dynamic performance to match. Or it could just melt away into the shadows like so many other concepts before it...

Interestingly, the fact that Mazda is still showcasing its 206kW MPS concept is food for thought. The AWD car was first shown at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, and to still be making the rounds today is suggestive of the vehicle's importance.

We can only hope that Mazda returns to its turbocharging roots, with vehicles like the mid-eighties 626 Turbo and early-nineties twin turbo RX-7 being fine examples of how to reinvigorate vehicle line-ups. And who knows, maybe all this talk of turbocharging will finally work it's way into the rotary engine once again? Here's hoping for an RX-8 turbo.