Inheriting the 260-horsepower strong 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine of the current model, the new Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. On the outside, Mazda’s proposal in the hot hatch segment is distinguished by details such as the WRX-style hood scoop, the larger roof wing, new 18-inch alloy wheels and the restyled bumpers.
Inside, Mazda attempted to give the car a sportier feeling with semi-bucket seats and a tachometer that features a red MPS logo and a needle that travels through 260 degrees as opposed to the 190-degree rotation on other new Mazda3 models. The instrument cluster for the all-new MPS also includes an LED turbo boost gauge positioned between the meters. The MPS also gets red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and centre armrest.
Under the skin, the MPS is powered by a refined version of the current model’s 2.3-liter turbocharged engine producing the same 260HP at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine is matted to a six-speed manual gearbox that delivers power to the front wheels. The new MPS features a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and acceleration of 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds.
Mazda supports that optimized aerodynamics help reduce fuel consumption from 9.7l/100 km (24.2mpg US) on the previous model to 9.2l/100 km (25.6mpg US) – a 5 percent improvement. Also newly introduced on this engine is the world’s first single-nanotechnology, fast-reacting catalytic converter, which delivers cleaner emissions and Euro5 compliance.
The new Mazda3 MPS also comes with a revised suspension set up, improved steering and larger diameter 320 mm ventilated disc brakes in the front and 280 mm solid discs in the rear. Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) replaces the previous mechanical system, while four-wheel ABS and DSC belong to the car’s standard equipment.
New Mazda3 MPS dimensions and specifications for EU
| Model name |
|
Mazda3 MPS |
| Dimensions |
|
|
| Overall length |
mm |
4,505 |
| Overall height |
mm |
1,460 |
| Overall width |
mm |
1,770 |
| Wheelbase |
mm |
2,640 |
| Track (front/rear) |
mm |
1,535 /1,520 |
| Luggage capacity |
l |
340 (300 with Bose® System) |
| Drive train |
|
FWD |
| Engine |
|
MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo |
| Displacement |
cc |
2,261 |
| Bore x stroke |
mm |
87.5 x 94.0 |
| Fuel tank capacity |
l |
60 |
| Max. output |
kW/PS |
191/260 at 5,500 rpm |
| Max. torque |
Nm |
380 at 3,000 rpm |
| Fuel consumption * |
|
|
| Combined |
l/100km |
9.2 |
| Urban |
l/100km |
13.5 |
| Extra urban |
l/100km |
7.5 |
| CO2 emission (combined) |
gkm |
217 |
| Emission |
|
Euro Stage V |
| Exhaust system |
|
single-nanotechnology |
| Transmission |
|
6-speed manual transmission |
| Differential |
|
Torque-sensing Limited Slip Differential |
| Performance |
|
|
| Max. speed |
km/h |
250 |
| 0-100 km/h (EU) |
sec |
6.1 |
| Steering |
|
Electro-hydraulic power assist system |
| Turn lock-to-lock |
|
2.7 |
| Min. turning circle |
m |
11 |
| Suspension, front |
|
MacPherson strut |
| Suspension, rear |
|
Multi-link |
| Coil spring rate, front |
N/mm |
26.8 |
| Coil spring rate, rear |
N/mm |
29.9 |
| Dampers, front |
|
Twin tube |
| Dampers, rear |
|
Mono tube |
| Stabiliser diameter, front |
mm |
26 |
| Stabiliser diameter, rear |
mm |
25 |
| Front brake type, diameter |
mm |
Ventilated discs, 320 |
| Rear brake type, diameter |
mm |
Solid discs, 280 |
| Brake booster | 8″ + 9″ tandem booster & large 1″ diameter master cylinder | |
| Tyres, wheels | Dunlop 225/40 R18, 18 x 7.5J | |
