3 MPS: Sensible suit hides banzai heart - Introduction

The Mazda 3 now has an engine to match its zesty drive looks with the launch of the 3 MPS, the Japanese manufacturers' foray into the hot-hatch market.

The company has yet to confirm prices for the car, but reckon on somewhere around £19,500. That's more expensive than the Ford ST and our favourite hot hatch, the Skoda Octavia vRS – and pits it squarely against the VW Golf GTI.

So what do you get for your cash? Read on for our first impressions of the car.