Hottest hatch from Mazda

19 April 2005

Mazda will have Britain’s most powerful hot hatch when the 3 MPS hits the streets.

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Mazda will have Britain’s most powerful hot hatch when the 3 MPS hits the streets.

Using the same 2.3-litre engine as its big brother, the family car-sized 6 MPS, the new hot hatch is likely to appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. This suggests an on-sale date late this year or early in 2006.

If its power output matches that of the 256bhp 6, the 3 MPS (short for Mazda Performance Series) will be the most brawny hot hatch on sale, easily eclipsing the197bhp VW Golf GTI. The new 237bhp Vauxhall Astra VXR, expected in showrooms in September, would also be put in the shade.

Although no official performance figures are available, a sprint to 60mph in less than 7.0sec is likely, as is a top speed of around 150mph.

While the 6 MPS is styled to be sporting but subtle, Mazda promises the 3 MPS will be much more aggressive. The senior managing executive officer of Mazda, Joe Bakaj, told Whatcar.com: ‘This is an altogether different kind of car – brasher and more in-your-face.’

The 3 MPS could be the first Mazda to feature a twin-clutch semi-automatic gearbox, similar to the Direct Shift Gearbox available on the Golf GTI and the Audi TT. This may not be ready in time for the car’s launch, however.

There is no firm word on how much the 3 MPS will cost but, even with Mazda’s usual competitive pricing, it is unlikely to come in at less than £20,000.

The 3 MPS is not the only high-performance model Mazda has planned. The RX-7 name will be reborn in a new two-door coupe. The car will sit between the MX-5 roadster and the RX-8 coupe and will be powered by a development of the RX-8’s powerful rotary engine. Although company insiders say the car will definitely be built, it is still some three or four years away.