SEMA 2009: 250-hp, Turbocharged Mazda3 and Tuned Mazdaspeed3 on Display

[coolmazda5]

Bypassing the bling, Mazda has turned to its motorsports efforts for this week's SEMA show in Las Vegas. On display are the efforts of Mazda's Irvine-based design and engineering team -- a specially equipped Mazdaspeed3 and a 2.5L Mazda3.

Taking after the Mazda3 World Challenge racecar, the 3s wear Crystal White Pearl, grey graphics, and details painted in black. Mazda says the design is a rework of the livery on the infamous 787B that took Le Mans in 1991.

Tri-Point Engineering, which races its own pair of Mazdas in the World Challenge series, upgraded the powertrain of the 2.5L Mazda3. With a Garrett GT2871R turbocharger pumping 10 psi, Mazda claims the mill sends 250-hp to the front wheels, and that the tune isn't finished yet. The Mazdaspeed3 gets only an AEM intake, but it's good for a claimed 20 hp.

The Speed3 lends its front brakes to the 2.5L 3. The Speed3 gets four-piston Stoptech calipers and floating two-piece rotors, and suspension upgrades that consist of KW Suspension coilovers with modified top mounts on the front struts to increase camber.

The 2.5L 3, with the Speed3's brakes up front and Mazda5 brakes out back, gets a Tri-Point rear stabilizer bar and adjustable KW coilovers. Both cars sit on 19-in. wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber from the RX-8 R3.

[MotorTrend]

 

[coolmazda5]

Yeah, I know, I posted it already under the Automotive News, but worth putting in this area too I hope

 

[Derrick_B]

2.5L turbo kits? Woo!

I LOVE the red film on the tail lights and blacked out roofs. I would have gone with flat black for rear valance though. The side graphics are subtle, but well-done. I wish they would have went with beefier tires though. 19's on a Mazda 3 looks a little ridiculous. I don't see them racing on 19's, but I guess it's just for show anyway.

 

[sandspeed]

i like the new speed3 after seeing these pictures
thanks
..
2010 need to get there hands on R3 wheels asap!

 

[Derrick_B]

19's look great, but I'm willing to bet a good 17" setup will outperform them in most situations. They ride a lot better and they're cheaper too. I'm actually going back to 17's for those reasons. The MZ3 would be fine with 17's and MS3 brakes, but I'm sure 18+ are required for the MS3's BBK.

 

[sanblaster]

The new 3's are beginning to grow on me. Love those wheels too.

 

[coolmazda5]

They seem to have smoked the headlights, makes them look sick

 

[Olestra]

19's look great, but I'm willing to bet a good 17" setup will outperform them in most situations. They ride a lot better and they're cheaper too. I'm actually going back to 17's for those reasons. The MZ3 would be fine with 17's and MS3 brakes, but I'm sure 18+ are required for the MS3's BBK.

17's work on the first gen MS3, so I'd imagine they would work on the 2nd gen.
Definitely, 17's would be better performance, but those R3 wheels really fill in the wheel wells nicely.

 

[R3d Baron]

The red tails a la what new gen STi owners have been doing looks sick

 

[xJAZx]

i really like the car in white after those pictures

 

[Derrick_B]

17's work on the first gen MS3, so I'd imagine they would work on the 2nd gen.
Definitely, 17's would be better performance, but those R3 wheels really fill in the wheel wells nicely.

I was saying the 17's wouldn't work on that MS3 because of the BBK they installed. They will 100% fit a stock MS3 of any year. Btw, one of the reasons the R3 wheels fill the wheel wells better is because of their larger overall diameter of the wheel/tire combo. I'm not sure if people are picking up on that. Lowering the car really only closes the top wheel gap and does little to address the side gap. The combination of larger overall diameter and lowering does wonders. You can get the same effect without going to 19's, but it will look a little different (probably perform better and be a hell of a lot cheaper though).

 

[Donas64]

Noice!

 

[Sport6]

Yeah white definitely works on the new speed 3(1st gen too!). I always wanted the speed3 to come in a sedan when I heard of the speed6 announced way back when. That sedan makes me want to pitch the sedan to the wife(currently in a borrolla)

 

[CorkSport]

I have been looking for both of these cars here at SEMA but I have not been able to find them. Has anyone else who is here at SEMA seen them?

-Derrick

 

[coolmazda5]

That sedan makes me want to pitch the sedan to the wife(currently in a borrolla)

Hey, pitch her a bicycle and still she'll be better off

 

[SPEEDYHANS]

i think the sedan look way bettor the the ms3 my opinion

 

[Dragwn]

I have been looking for both of these cars here at SEMA but I have not been able to find them. Has anyone else who is here at SEMA seen them?

-Derrick

My brother is out at SEMA, I'll have to email him and see if he can find them and send me pics.

 

[coololddude]

They were stolen by Volkswagon!!

 

[darnell]

Have you seen the one in Hypertech's booth?

 

[Speedkid]

Thats one sexy MS3.