Madaspeed3

[Tom]

HIROSHIMA, Japanese an — 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.

Text Source: Edmunds.com



What do you guys think?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I think that a 2500lb car with 256hp should be able to brag of a better 0-60 than "just below 7 seconds" probably a 6.75 time. Considering the new 330i weighs 1,000lbs more than has 1hp less yet it does 0-60 in 5.75 seconds...

Sure it might be good performance for the money, but imagine the fuel economy and at the end of the day it's only a Mazda. On a brighter note, I do like Mazda's design I just never got around to a testdrive since I felt bad for the salesman who chased me around and opened the hood and trunk and doors of every car I looked at last time I was at a Mazda dealership. He even told me that leather seats are murder on skin in the summer, and that I would get cashback on my tradein for the car a first ever.

I wonder if his boss made some kind of bet with him if he could get someone to trade a new BMW in for a Mazda, surely one for the books. (It did almost happen too, they wanted me to testdrive a red RX-8)

 

[Average Jae]

i can't wait to see the new RX-7, if they decide to resurrect it. rx-8 was one of the most fun test drives i had in a while. rotary turbo roaring to readline was just sooo high tech sounding.

i really like the marketing and the direction mazda is heading. my friend has a 3, and is really nice. be cool to see the mazdaspeed verison.

 

[MrElussive]

I think that a 2500lb car with 256hp should be able to brag of a better 0-60 than "just below 7 seconds" probably a 6.75 time. Considering the new 330i weighs 1,000lbs more than has 1hp less yet it does 0-60 in 5.75 seconds...

Sure it might be good performance for the money, but imagine the fuel economy and at the end of the day it's only a Mazda. On a brighter note, I do like Mazda's design I just never got around to a testdrive since I felt bad for the salesman who chased me around and opened the hood and trunk and doors of every car I looked at last time I was at a Mazda dealership. He even told me that leather seats are murder on skin in the summer, and that I would get cashback on my tradein for the car a first ever.

I wonder if his boss made some kind of bet with him if he could get someone to trade a new BMW in for a Mazda, surely one for the books. (It did almost happen too, they wanted me to testdrive a red RX-8)

You've gotten WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY smarter about cars since you've joined this forum.

Anyways, the Mazda3 hatch actually comes in at around 2,800-2,900lbs depending on the configuration and options. The only thing holding it back is the FWD (a bit of traction loss under hard acceleration because the weight of the vehicle transfers to the rear), and maybe the aerodynamics of the hatch, but I don't know for sure. Edmunds.com stated a 0-60 time of "below 7 seconds" to be conservative based on the data, without being wrong. I personally expect this new Mazda to do 0-60 in the very low-6-second range, which is great, but I don't think too many people are going to go crazy over a fast hatchback - many people do not like the utilitarian look of hatchbacks.

 

[Wadula]

who says the new 330i makes 0-60 in under 6 seconds? Official BWM webpage and catalogue give it 6,3 seconds (6,6 for autmoatic). just for the record...

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Motortrend got the new 330i to do 0-60 in 5.6 with a stick and 6.1 with an auto.

Doesn't BMW AG give it a 6.1 manual and a 6.3 auto?

 

[Wadula]

no they give it 6.3 and 6.6. i checked that online, that´s why i wodered. i´ll see if i can find other sources, independant sources...

 

[DRWWE]

I predict some serious rice action with this car. Just imagine a big wing on the back end and a really big front spoiler. Then paint it purple. High school kids will love it. The hatchback will give lots of room for a huge set of speakers.

[driving2]

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

no they give it 6.3 and 6.6. i checked that online, that´s why i wodered. i´ll see if i can find other sources, independant sources...

Actually I made a mistake, it was Car & Driver that got the 0-60 of 5.6 but it has a 0-70 of 7.7 which seems strange that it takes 2 seconds to accelerate 10 mph unless thats where the gear terminates...

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9265&page_number=3

 

[Kirby]

This car is to be introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Anyone think that it is intentional by Mazda to do it on German turf as a "challenge" to German manufacturers - BMW 1 Series, VW GTI?

Conversely, won't BMW save some BIG GUN announcements for Frankfurt, their home turf?

 

[MrElussive]

I predict some serious rice action with this car. Just imagine a big wing on the back end and a really big front spoiler. Then paint it purple. High school kids will love it. The hatchback will give lots of room for a huge set of speakers.
[driving2]

Good call, I guess we'll just have to see how much the high schoolers will like it.

 

[Wadula]

germany will most supposingly not be the marget they aim at. the golf will not be beaten. i have seen a comparison between the new GTI, the new vauxhall/Opel Astra GTC and the A3. all have 200 horses and guess who made it...right, the golf. even with 50 horses more the Mazda will not stand a chance in the tests.
and with the people? no way. no mazda will gain ground in that league against german cars.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

who says the new 330i makes 0-60 in under 6 seconds? Official BWM webpage and catalogue give it 6,3 seconds (6,6 for autmoatic). just for the record...

Yeah BMW typically post VERY conservative performance figures for their cars. The E39 M5 was clocked at 4.9 sec from 0-100 in evo magazine. BMW said that it'd take 5.3 secs...

Also, I'm really not sure that channeling 256BHP through the front wheels is going to work well... Just think of the torque-steer [80?]

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

That's right we're forgetting about the torque steer, even Acura who uses Hondas supposedly perfected FWD platform suffers from torque steer when their 270hp car is launched...That's why I don't consider the TL to be a luxury sedan, luxury sedans are either AWD or RWD.