Tuesday 28th November 2017

Mazda 3 MPS: Spotted

The hot hatch that floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee

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When the discussion turns to hot hatches, the first brands to be reeled off tend to be the likes of Renault, VW and Ford. Mazda though, is one that rarely gets a mention. This despite the fact that both generations of the 3 MPS shared their C1 architecture and components - including sub-frames front and rear, suspension, steering, braking and some of the electrics - with the Focus ST.

Upon its introduction in 2006, the 260hp from the turbocharged 2.3-litre four cylinder engine pushed more power to the front wheels than any of its competition could muster, but due to its fairly mundane looks it barely ever got a second glance. It truly was a sleeper. The model was duly updated in 2009, keeping the turbocharged four-cylinder engine - now no longer the most powerful in its class - though chassis tweaks boosted torsional rigidity by 41 per cent, weight dropped down to 1,385kg from 1,410kg after a little nip and tuck, and it gained a larger bonnet air intake and rear spoiler to help it stand out among its more ostentatious rivals. Inside, Mazda did its best not to leave anything out for owners, with only one option available - metallic paint.

The MPS can easily be tuned to 330hp with a light remap, upgraded exhaust, and new hoses and fuel pump, but if the goal is to surpass 400hp owners may need to look at uprating the turbo and intercooler. This second generation MPS has done 38,000 miles, but a major inspection isn't due until the car surpasses 54,000 miles. As per the buying guide the front bolster will need replacing which is said to be a simple fix.

Of course if the smiling whale doesn't take your fancy there are a few other discreet hot hatches that might tick the same boxes. Volkswagen's MK6 Golf GTI is the go-to in its class, whilst the Volvo C30 T5 may provide some Swedish flair among the less sophisticated inhabitants of the sector.

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SPECIFICATION - MAZDA 3 MPS

Engine: 2,261cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 260@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@3,000rpm
MPG: 29.4 (NEDC combined) 
CO2: 224g/km
First registered: 2010
Recorded mileage: 38,000 miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £9,995

See the original advert here

[TheTyreAbuser]

Always wondered why these never took off over here, they have a massive following in the US.
The "mazdaspeed" cars seem to have a properly cultish following over there.

That said, I never really considered these at any point mostly down to the looks.

[TheTyreAbuser]

ST Ford said:

When I had my ST Focus In performance blue people who don’t have a clue about cars like women in work or older people all knew it was an ST and would comment on it but even many petrol heads would struggle to point an MPS out.

Funny that, I had an ST Fiesta and I constantly had people asking if it was diesel, and other people being surprised at it having as much power as it did. Others thought it was a Focus, because nowhere did it say Fiesta.
Honestly, I don't think it's the Mazda MPS vs ST having different levels of awareness, just that most people most of the time don't know anything and don't care.

I think most people I know think my Golf R is a diesel, because it's a Golf, and VW's are pretty much all diesels.

That's the level of most people it seems. The Mazda suffers for being a relatively unknown hatchback to most people. MPS or not, it would always struggle to get noticed.

[TheTyreAbuser]

ST Ford said:

Lol I had that with my Mondeo ST220 despite the fact it has big twin exhausts a bodykit and big alloys every single person would go “is that a diesel?” It would piss me off and then when I would say no it’s the ST and a 3.0 V6 they would kind of look at me disappointed it wasn’t a diesel or they would go “ I bet that drinks fuel”.
Think the Fiesta ST falls in that category to most it’s just another 1 litre Fiesta Zetec S but the mk2 Focus ST225 I had seemed to get recognised by a lot of non car enthusiasts probably due to its more aggressive styling and 5 pot noise

I had people asking why I didn't "just get the Focus", and "it's a bit of a girl's car innit". Yep, Fiesta ST MP215, not "manly" enough, who knew?

Ah well.

[TheTyreAbuser]

PorkRind said:

Its basically an, imo, uglier, audi s3, probably as dull to drive with that pseudo 4x4 !

What is?