Wednesday 24th November 2004

Mazda attacks Golf GTi

Revived Japanese car company makes onslaught on hot hatch market

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Mazda is planning to attack the new Golf GTi with the Mazda 3 hatchback, according to Autocar this week. The report says that the range will include a 220bhp, 150mph MPS version, using a detuned version of the 2.3-litre turbocharged four-pot powerplant from the 6 MPS.

Performance is said to be 6.5 seconds for the dash from zero to 60mph, which may see off the Golf. The heavier VW's 200bhp means it takes 7.2 seconds to get to 60mph from rest, with a top speed of 145mph.

The pic shows the standard Mazda 3.

[golem]

Go Mazda. Hope it works for 'em.

So I'm a die-hard fan of the Hiroshima Autos? Actually, of their last few cars the 3 isn't my fave, and I'd rather they made the 3 Sedan the MPS version as it looks nicer, I think.

Regardless, I wish them success. At least they're trying to put some panache into their cars. Still think they need to try a transverse mount 13B from the RX8 into the 3 Sedan. That'd be a zingy little rabid monster. Pity it'd require tons of changes. =/

Ah well, a turbo 2.3 will have to do.

[dinkel]

The Golfer will get spanked. You can have 2 Mazdas' for Golf GTI money I hope more Japs will follow.

[iaint]

So if it's detuned to 220 I assume it would be re-tunable back to some higher figure...

Nice

[Mr E]

iaint said:

So if it's detuned to 220 I assume it would be re-tunable back to some higher figure... Nice

That was my first thought as well.

[white_fly]

It will be very interesting to see what Mazda decides to do with this. The 3 is based on the same platform as the Volvo S40 which is available in AWD and the Mazda 6 MPS comes with AWD. Could Mazda create a challenger for the Mitsubishi EVO and Subaru STi? Could Mazda use this to enter WRC? They have a history in WRC and because they are owned by Ford it would seem the two teams could work in a similar way to Peugot and Citroen. It seems as though the foundation is laid for both these things.

[farmer]

white_fly said:

It will be very interesting to see what Mazda decides to do with this. The 3 is based on the same platform as the Volvo S40 which is available in AWD and the Mazda 6 MPS comes with AWD. Could Mazda create a challenger for the Mitsubishi EVO and Subaru STi? Could Mazda use this to enter WRC? They have a history in WRC and because they are owned by Ford it would seem the two teams could work in a similar way to Peugot and Citroen. It seems as though the foundation is laid for both these things.

Pug and Citroen just announced they will both be pulling out of the WRC (while Ford are staggering on for the moment) so thats a more likely situation unfortunately .
Plus a WRC bears little resemblance to a production car underneath (Fabia ,Octavia, Accent !!!!, Focus, Xzara etc etc) but group N could do with another option

>> Edited by farmer on Thursday 25th November 00:52