The good old Mazdaspeed 3 has been claiming the pocket rocket thone here in America for a while now, even with its wrist snapping torque steer, somewhat heavy curb weight and a peaky turbo, it nonetheless has been loved by many sport compact fans on a budget. There was a time where this little engine that could was the fastest FWD production car sold in America at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit, but had to hand that title over to the 2008 Chevorlet Cobalt SS's epic performance.
However, Mazda is hard at work and a slew of information has been surfaced recently regarding the new and improved 2010 Mazdaspeed 3; Including our exclusive rendering of what could be underneath the disguised test car that was spied doing the usual ring runs. While information are still a bit sketchy, but according to Autocar, the new Mazdaspeed 3 (Mazda 3 MPS in UK and Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan) will be using a reworked platform of the old Mazdaspeed 3 but with all new body panels. The overall front end design will be similar to the new 2010 Mazda 3, which will be making its debut at next month's LA Auto Show; but it is unclear is the new Mazdaspeed 3 will be launched at the same time.
The new Mazdaspeed 3 will probably be powered by a revised version of the old Mazdaspeed 3's direct injection turbo charged engine, but with an increase in displacement from 2.3L to 2.5L. Power is expected to increase to more than the 263 hp generated by the 2.3L turbo. Expect to see the current computer controlled torque limiting system back in the new car.
[source: AutoCar, Motortrend, Car Online Magazine, Fastestlaps]
Saturday, October 25, 2008
2010 Mazdaspeed 3 / Axela: Exclusive Rendering & Testing!
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7 comments:
Listen up Mazda! In these bad economic times, I will tell you how the new speed3 will out sell evo x's and sti's. Give it the 2.5 engine. Give it 300 hp and 315 torque. Give it a wide powerband. Give it a top speed of 160 mph. Make the gearbox shift better. Give it standard 18 x 7.5 wheels with 225/40/18 tires. If you can give all of this to the 2010 speed 3, as a former 07 ms3 owner, I can tell you that this little car will out sell both awd cars from mitsubishi and subaru. $25,000 to $27,000 for all of this. I would get this over an evo x mr any day. And be $20,000 richer too.
The current MS3 can reach near 180...they did it with a stock one on the autobahn. The cobalt ss' Ring time was about 10 seconds quicker than the MS3's, however the balt had a professional driver who knew the car and the track very well and did the timed run on a closed track day while the MS3 was driven by an amateur driver who didn't know the car or the track and he was slowed down by other cars because it was an open track day.
If the performance increases take place, GREAT, just don't forget to keep it fuel efficient too. In this day and age, we need that too. That front end is going to take some getting use to, maybe some of us won't be able to do that. That area around the fog lights? Ugly.... Interior looks good, but those wanting the Nav system will need bifocals. Also, why not a six speed paddle shifter? And maybe an all wheel drive option. I like the weight of two wheel drive, but all wheel is both good for squiggly racers, as well as in the snow/ice belt. Nice car and I probably would buy one.
I am a 2009 MS3 owner, and I couldn't be happier. I am glad I got the last model year before the change. I'm sure this car will be super fast, just like mine, but the first generation MS3 is a bit more of a sleeper, just like the majority of us MS3 owners like it. Leave the obvious gaping hood scoops to the showoffs who we eat for lunch!
I owned a 2007 Speed3 and modified it. It was a mistake, the car became even less user friendly in traffic. Then the block cracked. I can say that they need to spend more money on the beefing up the motor internals and strengthening the block.
lol a stock ms3 did not hit 180mph. stuff you read on the net...
ok the new speed 3... well i think its a joke they tried a lil too hard on da looks n less on beefin up the performance. no one likes a clown.front grill no good it looks like one giant annoyin smile original is better and to me 07-09 speed 3 are the best mazda made so far.2010 looks not impressed at all.imma keep it original speed3 08 best hatch they ever made....from inside out peace
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