Mazda3 MPS
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 20 July 2010
THIS HOT little devil is basically the XR3i of the Mazda range. Or put it another way, it’s to Mazda what the Golf GTI five door hot hatch was to VW in the days when a GTI was something to say ‘WOW!’ at.
This smart, chunky, aggressive, yet very capable turbocharged 2.3 litre hot hatch has a top speed of 155mph performance, but is has all the innovations of the second-generation Mazda3 on which it is based.
Yes indeed, the Mazda3 MPS really is quite striking.
With one quick glance you might think it’s just another beefed up hatch, but from the front its bonnet air-intake hump, reminiscent of Subaru’s Impreza, tells you that this is one serious motor. Add 18-inch alloy wheels, twin tailpipes and a large rear spoiler to the mix and the overall impression is of one muscular, athletic mean machine.
With a 0- 62mph in just 6.1sec, the car loves to be driven hard – and I mean hard. You see, for a small family hatch, it’s fitted with one hell of a lump - the immensely powerful MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo engine. It generates a whopping 260ps and 380Nm of torque, which means if you are heavy footed, watch out, the steering wheel can almost wrench itself from your grasp. The front wheels can also go a bit loopy if you are too wild with the accelerator. Drive the car within your limits though and you get a seriously fun, and at times, sensible ride.
The Mazda3 MPS has a mega-sporty suspension set up, but it doesn’t affect ride comfort. New-style alloy wheels are fitted with wider, lower profile tyres and the power steering is tuned to produce a more direct steering feel.
Inside, the MPS is generously equipped with features including: part-leather front sports bucket seats, Bluetooth® technology, Welcome Mode lighting, a surround-sound BOSE® premium audio system and even a compact satellite navigation system developed especially for this model.
What is great about the MPS is that it will appeal to anyone who loves to drive a car with a sporty edge but needs five seats and a decent load area. I have two small children who fitted comfortably into their child seats in the back on our way to a four year old’s birthday party. The buggy and all the bags you take for a three year old and a baby also went into the decent sized boot, without any hassle. What’s more, we still had room for all four of us plus lots of party bags, toys and balloons on the way home!
My wife and I also took the car on a couple of shopping trips. What made the trip more interesting than usual were the people who stood and stared at the car as we loaded the food and nappies into the boot.
Obviously the car has admirers – either that or fellow petrol-heads are trying to work out what it is! This car is a motor I’d recommend. The only downside is the fuel economy. That can be remedied, to a degree, if you don’t drive it hard all the time.
But it will be difficult – the MPS ‘pedal to the metal’ action is addictive, and that’s why one day, you might just buy one when you’ve had enough of your ‘normal’ family hatch, whatever that may be.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Performance
- Looks
- Room
- Fun
CONS
- Fuel economy
FAST FACTS
- Max speed: 155 mph
- 0-62 mph 6.1 seconds
- Combined mpg: 29.4
- Engine layout: 2.3-litre 4 cylinder turbocharged petrol
- Max. power (bhp): 256 at 5500 rpm
- Max. torque (lb.ft): 280 at 3000 rpm
- CO2: 224 g/km
- Price: £22,595
