The all-new Mazda 3 MPS will undercut the VW Golf GTi by more than £1500 when it goes on sale from the beginning of October.
Mazda's hot hatch should also comfortably outpace most of its hot hatch rivals. Its 2.3-litre turbocharged motor (the snappily named Mazda MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo) is carried over from the previous model and, although there's been no hike in power or torque, 256bhp and 280lb ft is enough to ensure that 60mph is reached in 6.1sec and that the 3 MPS's top speed has to be limited to 155mph.
The last Mazda 3 MPS wasn't exactly the most dashing of designs, so the sharper lines of the new car are definitely an improvement.
"Our latest Mazda 3 MPS is a strikingly bold design, more dynamic looking, more aggressive and more assertive than ever before," says Mark Cameron, Mazda's sales and marketing director. "The new bonnet air-intake, new-style 18-inch alloy wheels and larger rear spoiler create the muscular, athletic look of a sprinter."
Mark is similarly brimfull of enthusiasm about the dynamics of the new Mazda 3 MPS. "Delivering sensationally spirited performance, the new Mazda 3 MPS puts the heat back into the hot hatch sector with 'stand out' looks that put rivals in the shade, exquisite handling and incredible dynamics," he opines in the company release, and who are we to contradict him?
Mazda has evidently put serious effort into curtailing the occasionally wayward behaviour of the previous model. The torsional rigidity has been increased by 41 per cent, while the new 3 MPS gets uprated dampers, larger anti-roll bars and higher spring rates for the MacPherson front/multi-link rear suspension set-up.
The gear ratios are slightly longer in the interests of marginally better economy and Mazda says that "sophisticated computer-controlled electronics modulate the delivery of torque to minimise torque-steer and to complement the operation of the limited-slip differential - ensuring maximum traction.
Sounds impressive, but considering the tyre-destroying and diff-shredding power of its predecessor, the LSD on the new 3 MPS will need every trick up its sleeve.