MS3@ Geneva 06.

[Rogue]

Well, based on the CX-7 engine, I'm gonna say the MS3 will have 244hp. So it will out power the 200hp GTI, 197hp Civic Si, and 205hp Cobalt SS Supercharged. Anyone I'm leaving out? The outgoing SRT-4 was 240hp, new one is 300hp. Then there's CHICO's favorite 230hp WRX. Looks like the MS3 will go right to the top in hp, and, following Mazda reputation, beyond the top in handling.


Man I can't wait for this thing!!

 

[CitizenPro]

Well, based on the CX-7 engine, I'm gonna say the MS3 will have 244hp. So it will out power the 200hp GTI, 197hp Civic Si, and 205hp Cobalt SS Supercharged. Anyone I'm leaving out? The outgoing SRT-4 was 240hp, new one is 300hp. Then there's CHICO's favorite 230hp WRX. Looks like the MS3 will go right to the top in hp, and, following Mazda reputation, beyond the top in handling.


Man I can't wait for this thing!!

Yea, same here.........and those new Gti's have been dyno'ing at 210-220whp stock! Volkswagon has the HP underrated......

 

[Kansei]

Yea, same here.........and those new Gti's have been dyno'ing at 210-220whp stock! Volkswagon has the HP underrated......

Damn I wish my Protege dynoed 20hp over the rated HP at the wheels :'(

One of these days I'll hop on the dyno, I just pray to be in the three digit range.

 

[sjdmp5]

dammit, everyone knows that "real" sporty cars come in sedan form...a hatch is utterly inappropriate for a sporty car.

Honda Civic Type R
Audi S3
Ford Focus RS
Ford Escort Cosworth
Renault Clio Sport V6
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
Nissan Pulsar GTI
Peugeot 206

I know I'm missing some.

 

[silverspeed03]

any word on weight?

 

[jononumber5]

Truly I have to say overall im underwhelmed. They did such an amazing job on the 3. But it just bothers me that they have to detune the MS3 to not compete with the 6. Personally I think they should scrap the speed 6. The market is for older people generally with money. With the price of a speed 6 it represent other car choices like audi and bmw.

 

[mikeyb]

Truly I have to say overall im underwhelmed. They did such an amazing job on the 3. But it just bothers me that they have to detune the MS3 to not compete with the 6. Personally I think they should scrap the speed 6. The market is for older people generally with money. With the price of a speed 6 it represent other car choices like audi and bmw.

Both Audi and BMW options at 30K are underpowered compared to the MS6. Audi A4 2.0T 200hp and BMW 325i 215hp. Why do say that the MS6 is marketed to older people? Its around the same price as an EVO or STi, and Altima SE-R, everyone of these that I've seen are driven by young adults or mid 20s to 30s year olds.

 

[dmitrik4]

Honda Civic Type R
Audi S3
Ford Focus RS
Ford Escort Cosworth
Renault Clio Sport V6
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
Nissan Pulsar GTI
Peugeot 206

I know I'm missing some.

oh dear god. sarcasm...dripping everywhere from my post. i even included a little to help point that out.

*sigh* nevermind...i will make no more jokes forever.

 

[Albert]

If you go to the premiers section of the Geneva Motor Show web site, here's what they say about the Mazda 3 MPS:

"Front wheel drive Mazda3 5-doors Hatchback with direct injected turbocharged 2.3 l engine delivering 260 HP"

I realize it's the Euro spec, but 260 HP is a lot!

Link

 

[Rogue]

when you click on the link it says:
Motor Cars - First World Presentations
MAZDA

Mazda3 MPS








3 MPS: sports version
Just as others have ST (Ford), OPC (Opel) or Type-R (Honda) to designate the sports versions of their models, Mazda has its MPS. After the 6 MPS, here is the 3 MPS with a 250 bhp turbocharged engine.

 

[Albert]

when you click on the link it says:
Motor Cars - First World Presentations
MAZDA

Mazda3 MPS








3 MPS: sports version
Just as others have ST (Ford), OPC (Opel) or Type-R (Honda) to designate the sports versions of their models, Mazda has its MPS. After the 6 MPS, here is the 3 MPS with a 250 bhp turbocharged engine.

Good catch. I'd settle for 250.

 

[Newf]

I've heard plenty bose in my life. I spend a great deal of time aroud audio

I will never like any bose sound. It's overhyped crap. Your ears are different then mine, but I certainly do not like any of Bose's car stereo

I know how hard its going to be to put another head unit in that car or any 3 or 6, hence the reason why I was hoping Mazda would have done something for us. for the record i hate the one in the Speed 6 as well...yes, I've heard it.

note this is my opinion. Theman - cool down

 

[Antoine]

Interesting...With reports of 244-260hp...The MS3 will no doubt have more than enough power to play with right off the showroom floor! The question is how will state and regional EPA and Octane situations affect the MS3's production power rating?

 

[CHICO2003]

Well, based on the CX-7 engine, I'm gonna say the MS3 will have 244hp. So it will out power the 200hp GTI, 197hp Civic Si, and 205hp Cobalt SS Supercharged. Anyone I'm leaving out? The outgoing SRT-4 was 240hp, new one is 300hp. Then there's CHICO's favorite 230hp WRX. Looks like the MS3 will go right to the top in hp, and, following Mazda reputation, beyond the top in handling.


Man I can't wait for this thing!!

So all of a sudden hp is everything huh? Let's talk about potential.... the MS3 is going to have the same engine as the MS6 (276hp) while the WRX has the same engine as the STi (300hp) Since the WRX/STi has a more functional TMIC than the MS6 (and presumably MS3) that, in combination with other things, brings the overall performance potential to an even higher level. My point is, stock hp doesn't always tell the story. Since it seems like the MS3 is going to be priced in line with the WRX, I'm not so sure an extra 10hp is worth the tradeoff. (no awd) haha but let's not start this crap again.

 

[CHICO2003]

Honda Civic Type R
Audi S3
Ford Focus RS
Ford Escort Cosworth
Renault Clio Sport V6
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
Nissan Pulsar GTI
Peugeot 206

I know I'm missing some.

WTF is this? How about a car we can actually buy! While you're right, all of these hatches are fast mofos, the fact is... we live in america (or canada) and our market is far different. Hatches in Europe are not what they are here. They require smaller cars so, while there are obviously plenty of the types we have here, there are also a lot of the types you listed above. On this side of the pond, the mfg usually adds a trunk to their sportier cars.

but whatever... if it's a hatch/wagon so be it. I'd definitely dig the practicality it offers.... though, i agree with newf... the sedan looks 10x better (in mazdaspeed trim). base vs base.. i think the 5 has the edge. sound crazy? The P5 was/is a way better looking car than the base Protege. Protege with the MS treatment on the other hand took the car to a whole new level. I work with someone who has a base protege... it amazes me how my car was based on that! so freakin ugly! mazda really did a nice job with the styling.... since nothing has been "officially" released, there's still hope that mazda will work the same type of magic.

but even if they don't... the mazda 3 is so superior to the protege... this car truly will be a force to be reckoned (sp?) with. It sounds like it's basically going to have the same performance as the SRT-4. While the Caliber may potentially take things to a whole new level, if you were to tell me I could have the srt-4 performance in a mazda 3 package... I'd ask, where do I sign?

 

[spec5protege]

took the words right out of my mouth. This is why I made the joke about the 94 octane and ice on the intercooler.

Sorry folks, but this is already destined to have issues before it even gets produced. You want a car that only works in certain temps at certain times? Because so far it seems to be a hit/miss if the MS6's operate as advertised. I've been reading more and more issues lately that really have me concerned that this is another MSP hesitation and heat soak issue ( Which never got resolved, nor did the clunk for that matter) that is only going to carry over to the MS3.

Mazda does not have a good track record with permanently fixing problems like this. This is the one thing holding me back from purchasing any new mazdaspeed until I see it out for year and see what issues it has. Add to the fact that most Mazdaspeeds have a 1 year run and that is it. Problem is, I need a new car this year, not next. At least with the Civic SiR I know it'll work. Can't believe I just said that.

Hopefully with this MS6 engine being used across the board, they'll have more of a reason to ACTUALLY FIX SOMETHING for a change.

This is why the MZS3 doesn't have AWD. Sure, the WRX and Evo have awd. How long have Mitsu and Subaru been doing turbo awd cars? A long, long time. If Mazda can't do little things like build a proper intercooler for a turbo, or building a car that doesn't need a new ECU reflash every 5 seconds... then they shouldn't be messing around with AWD+turbo. No offence - I like Mazda a lot. I guess mostly I just wish my WRX wagon looked like a 3 wagon lol... I have always said Mazda has the best styling out of any manufacturer.

 

[spec5protege]

i'm with you... but if i were buying a gti, something tells me I'd learn to like leather.

(blarf)I thought that was a screenshot of the 10th anniversary Hyundai Elantra until I saw the word "GTI." WTF could the designer have been thinking?

 

[Aricjm15]

In the 80's mazda made a bunch of awesome turbo cars. they also made the 323 GTX. Turbo 1.6 hatch with AWD and 3 driver controlled diferentials. Mazda is not the problem, i would blame ford.

This is why the MZS3 doesn't have AWD. Sure, the WRX and Evo have awd. How long have Mitsu and Subaru been doing turbo awd cars? A long, long time. If Mazda can't do little things like build a proper intercooler for a turbo, or building a car that doesn't need a new ECU reflash every 5 seconds... then they shouldn't be messing around with AWD+turbo. No offence - I like Mazda a lot. I guess mostly I just wish my WRX wagon looked like a 3 wagon lol... I have always said Mazda has the best styling out of any manufacturer.

 

[RHAGEL]

(blarf)I thought that was a screenshot of the 10th anniversary Hyundai Elantra until I saw the word "GTI." WTF could the designer have been thinking?

VW has been doing this for a long time. I almost bought a 04 GTI and it looked worse than this picture. It had yellow, blue and red stripes. Its a big thing in Europe but last time I checked...This is the US. I agree, I wouldn't buy this car just because of the interior. Otherwise I hear good things about the new 2.0 FSI turbo, especially with the DSG.

 

[dmitrik4]

objection! asked and answered.

VW's main theme w/ the new GTI has been that it's a return to the original GTIs, which were real driver's cars (as opposed to the bloated, beam-axle luxo-cruisers of the past few years).

in keeping with that, the plaid interior and the red grille outline from the original GTi were included. i'm not saying it looks great; i'm saying there's a reason for it that goes beyond some designer's whimsy.

and it's not that bad in person. i like the car a lot; can't wait for the R36.

edit: not that this has anything to do w/ the MS3.