Mazdaspeed3 thread

[Badger Biker]

Quoted from http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=105417

HIROSHIMA, Japan Mazda is readying a 'hot hatch' version of the Mazda3 and we're talking jalapeo! The 3 MPS (Mazda Performance Series) uses the same 2.3-liter engine as the bigger 6 MPS, and this could make the car the hottest hatch on the market.

The 6 MPS puts out 256 horsepower way more than the VW Golf GTI (197 hp) or the forthcoming Opel/Vauxhall Astra VXR (237 hp). This should give the 3 MPS a 0-to-60 mph time of below 7 seconds blistering performance.

The 3 MPS will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale shortly after. Its aggressive styling affirms Mazda is quickly shaking off its fuddy-duddy image, helped by the RX-8 and MX-5 sports cars.

These are likely to be joined in future by a new version of the classic rotary-engined RX-7 two-door coupe. This would sit between the MX-5 and the RX-8 and be powered by the RX-8's powerful rotary engine. Mazda insiders maintain the car will be built, but it is still at least three years away.

If this is really going to be 256hp ... we're talking a vehicle that has as much HP as, and weighs less than an STi I believe.

(bowdown)

 

[mikeyb]

STi and EVO fighter! Now where is the Ford Focus Cosworth RS?

 

[Sylent_Snyper]

sti has 300 hp and is still awd... but still that would be nice 2 see on the streets

 

[Super Matty P]

yeah sti's/evos make about 240whp....this would be about 210whp...still close but noway it'll launch or hang with one....mazda likes to wimp out in the speed department in favor of cornering ability.

 

[Alpinejwl]

can't wait to see the actual car and it's performance

 

[goldwing2000]

yeah sti's/evos make about 240whp....this would be about 210whp...still close but noway it'll launch or hang with one....mazda likes to wimp out in the speed department in favor of cornering ability.

STi's lose 60 hp between the crank and the wheels? That's 20%! (boom05)

Hmmm... I guess with the AWD, that would almost make sense.

But still... with Juan's kit making 287 or better at the wheels, I don't see any reason to step up and buy the Subie. (smoke)

 

[Super Matty P]

just fyi, a standard 2.0L protege loses 23% to the wheels. 130bhp to 100whp (universal average for a 5spd) = 23% DT loss.

 

[goldwing2000]

Crazy. We're only dropping about 12.5% on the 2.3L (from 160bhp to about 140whp).

I wonder... have they made that much advance in trans and axle technology? (scratch)

Based on that figure, that means Juan's kit is making about 328hp at the crank! (wow)

 

[SilentSno]

Nooo!!!! I just leased a 3.... i'm stuck for 3 more years!!! Oh wait, its the wife's car. I still have the MP3... hmm.. options...still holding out for the new Rx7 if/when that comes out.

 

[Super Matty P]

i dont honestly believe we're losing 23% to the wheels. I believe Mazda overrated the engines just like they did with the miatas and RX8s. IIRC the manual tranny from the 2.3L is the same as the fs-de. Maybe the 2.3L duratec is OVERrated.

 

[goldwing2000]

I suppose that's possible but if it is, since they had to backpedal and re-rate the RX-8, wouldn't they have had to do the same thing with the 3?

Also, if they OVER-rated the 3 at 160bhp, then that would mean even less loss through the driveterain. The 140whp has been measured by more than one person, so that's a given.

(shrug) As long as it goes zoom-zoom, I'm happy.

 

[Badger Biker]

Automatics are losing ~16% to the drivetrain. At least 3 auto 3s have dynoed at around 133hp roughly.

I think the crank HP is closer to 180 than 160 personally, that would push it closer to 25% loss with an automatic.

Mazdaspeed 3 ... *drools*

 

[rx7gslse]

they also had to re-rate the Miata in 2001

Sounds liek a cool car.. I just hope;
a) they keep the price in check
b) they keep the weight tolerable
c) they allow both sedan & hatch versions.. Not to offend, but the Sedan looks like an Echo

 

[Mr. Win]

ill let this hot hatch hang out for a while make sure its not like the MSP and im so glad they boosted the 2.3 it should hold up much better then the 2.0. Maybe the next car i buy.

 

[vindication]

Hmmm, I think that this is not what the MS3 is gonna be. Even though edwards says it is. Also, 256, I dont think so. And the MS6 doesnt put 256, it puts 274. Another thing against this article. Why would they use the same engine in the 6 and 3. Anyway, also no mention of drivetrain used? Last I heard it was gonna be rwd but that was like 7 months ago. Well, I'm still hoping for the 2.0T with AWD and at least 230hp.

 

[Mr. Win]

cause the 2.0 sucks for boost... they should put the 2.2 in and call it a day but they wont. The 2.3 is much better then any of the currently produced motors. If they can make AWD work be on the look out for it other wise it could be another srt-4 competitor. RWD prob shouldnt hold your breath for that one.

 

[vindication]

why does the 2.0 suck for boost? also, what 2.2 are you talking about (freak)

 

[Mr. Win]

the 2.2 in the mx6... refined that motor and it would be on. The 2.0 is a small truck motor, extra torque down low and nothing much up top with long rods not the best boot application allthough with enough money anything can perform the problem is making it last. I think you see a new tranny with the 3.

 

[vindication]

but they have to work with the new 2.0L or 2.3L of the current M3. Or else I would choose the BP-T to put in there

 

[Mr. Win]

thus why the 2.2 wont go in... and the 2.3 will replace it, seems to me mazda has decided thats thier boost motor for thier MS lines.