300-HP, AWD Mazdaspeed3 Shelved, But for Good Reason?

[chief_wiggum]

Mazda has canceled plans for a high-power Mazdaspeed3 "Evolution," fearing the beginnings of a performance arms race, Motor Trend has learned. According to the automaker, outfitting the new Speed3 with 300 hp and all-wheel drive would have set its price point and competitive set beyond the hatchback's demographic

Besides, with 263-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, the Mazdaspeed3 trounces its competitive set on output.

http://wot.motortrend.com/6572436/w...speed3-shelved-but-for-good-reason/index.html

 

[stageup]

that sucks

on a side note i went and saw a 2010 white mazda3 hatch, it's pretty sexy
to bad we got the shaft ms3 wise

 

[NCZ13]

Alot of people "say" they want to see a AWD, high factory HP MS3, but i doubt realistically anyone will pay for it to make a it a worthwhile venture for mazda.

 

[chief_wiggum]

Alot of people "say" they want to see a AWD, high factory HP MS3, but i doubt realistically anyone will pay for it to make a it a worthwhile venture for mazda.

agreed -- the entire article talks about what happened to the RX-7 -- got way fast AND way expensive.

 

[Speed3B]

Im guessing they will have to put in stronger internals, which means the engine wont be the same any longer. The more commonality you can have between cars the cheaper you can make the parts.

AWD would be nice and all, but thats mainly if you are taking off from the light or on the track.

 

[shaneS]

hmm.. idk. I think just updating the speed3 to the 2.5 would be enough. Maybe AWD would increase the cost too much, but i wouldnt mind spending a few extra grand for the better engine

 

[Speed3B]

I would spend an extra grand or two to have better internals to allow for modding without rods trying to sit in my passenger seat. Leave the 2.1, spend the money on stronger rods.

 

[stageup]

awd 300hp mazdaspeed3? i'd pay 30 for it
hell thats still a cost savings of 5-9k over an evo ( base ) or sti

 

[nypz]

id pass on it for 30k

 

[Speedkid]

30K would be a good deal I'll buy one for that price.

 

[SPEED3TYPE2]

I think Mazda is wrong, I bet a 30k awd Speed3 would sell better, get more publicity and attention than the current fwd model.

 

[eg6motion]

I think they should have done it, or still do it. Keep everything the same, bump up the hp to 300 and add AWD for around 28K....sold

I think it's feasible and would sell like hotcakes considering the higher-price points of the STi and EVO. They are reaching 40-50K territory depending on options and location.

 

[boosted1]

Simple solution: RevoKnuckle system and a 2.5L DISI Turbo FTW!

 

[Stotrupp]

awd 300hp mazdaspeed3? i'd pay 30 for it
hell thats still a cost savings of 5-9k over an evo ( base ) or sti

You can have an EVO X GSR for less than 30k which has a far more advanced AWD system than anything Mazda has. Base STI is about 35k, the 40k model has more options and again the AWD system the sti uses is far more advanced.

The base price for the current MS3 is about 25k already. Adding AWD and more power would add to the price pretty significantly.

 

[Nismothecat]

remember how well the Mazdaspeed6 sold.

 

[oaklandopen]

hmm.. idk. I think just updating the speed3 to the 2.5 would be enough. Maybe AWD would increase the cost too much, but i wouldnt mind spending a few extra grand for the better engine

i think it was better for mazda to stick with the 2.3 instead of the 2.5 solely on the fact that there is nothing wrong with the engine.

the 2.3 turbo has been in use since the ms6 since 2005, and has also been in use in the cx7. i think mazda introducing a newer version of the 2.3 (basically bored and stroked with several other internal differences) could be a foundation for a future 2.5 turbo. but i think they'll just wait until their new 2.5 has been tested out in several vehicles (mz6, cx7, tribute, mz3) for however long they want

but as of right now the 2.3 turbo still has 2 vehicle applications in the ms3 and cx7



on a side note, if only mazda would be as tuner market friendly as other japanese companies maybe they could expand their demographic a little more. hell, hyundai is gonna be geting a few tuner guys coming their way with that g'coupe

 

[CorkSport]

I would buy one right away.

 

[shaneS]

i think it was better for mazda to stick with the 2.3 instead of the 2.5 solely on the fact that there is nothing wrong with the engine.

Well its not that there is something wrong with the 2.3, it just seems odd to give the normal 3 a 2.5 and not the speed.

 

[Sport6]

Well its not that there is something wrong with the 2.3, it just seems odd to give the normal 3 a 2.5 and not the speed.

The 2.5 is not direct injected. And for a speed to last more than 1 generation is not common as it is. So developing or adapting technology for the 2.5 would be alot more money than using what they have.

 

[Stotrupp]

Well its not that there is something wrong with the 2.3, it just seems odd to give the normal 3 a 2.5 and not the speed.

The speed3's 2.3l stills makes about 100hp more than the regular 3's 2.5l.