The all-new Mazda3 was launched earlier this year with an exciting new design, a stiffer chassis and lively engines. It was chosen as the best-looking compact by an AutoBild reader poll of 200,000 Europeans in June. Mazda now expands the Mazda3 line-up with an all-new Mazda Performance Series (MPS) flagship version that is sure to make the hearts of sports car enthusiasts beat faster. It delivers a unique combination of exhilarating fun and everyday compact car practicality. It inherits an evolved version of the high-performance MZR 2.3-litre DISI petrol powertrain from the previous MPS, has a dynamic design based on the new hatchback that’s even more emotional than its predecessor, with a refined driving experience and more comfort, plus a long list of new technologies as standard.
The all-new Mazda3 MPS replaces a flagship model that has been a popular sports car around the world since launch. In just two years, the first-generation Mazda3 MPS quickly made a name for itself by selling 31,100 units globally, a third of them in the USA. Europe is its second-largest market for sales, with one out of every five Mazda3 MPS finding owners here, accounting for 6,300 units.The new model enters a European non-premium sports compact C-segment that grew steadily until 2008, when sales decreased for the first time since 2004, due to the economic downturn at the end of the calendar year. Yet the Mazda3 MPS was very successful between 2007 and 2008, coming from a 0% market share to take 4.5% of the segment by the end of 2008. This brought new kinds of customers to the brand and helped Mazda consolidate its sporty, Zoom-Zoom reputation.
From the Mazda3 hatchback, the new flagship model gets a larger five-point front grille and dimensions that give it a sporty crouch. This alone would make it appear even more athletic compared to the previous MPS, but Mazda designers enhanced this by adding new components and styling cues that set the new MPS apart from the rest of the new Mazda3 line-up, and help it stand out .
A new air-intake is now positioned in the middle of the bonnet that gives the Mazda3 MPS a hot-hatch look, while improving intercooler efficiency. The front end is exclusive for the MPS and designed to give it the muscular, athletic look of a sprinter. It has a new, highly-sculptured front bumper and special front fenders that are larger than those of the normal line-up. These fenders new 18-inch wheels with the same, three-dimensional design theme as the alloy wheels of the iconic Mazda RX-8 R3. The front grille and lower bumper sections are executed in the same black metallic finish for high quality look, and are framed by large front headlamp fascias – much larger than the first-generation Mazda3 MPS. These contain bi-xenon lamps of an adaptive front lighting system (AFS), that swivels to illuminate curves at night, and boomerang-shaped position lamps for a premium look (standard or optional depending on market).
At the sides, Mazda designers combined the striking side panel character lines of the new hatchback with side under-spoilers that lower the car’s visual centre of gravity and enhance its sporty styling. The side mirrors come standard with MPS exclusive integrated turn signals. At the back, a new and larger roof spoiler and LED tail lamps are introduced that give an even stronger look to the rear end of the car. On the inside, Mazda’s new compact flagship has a unique combination of sportiness and practicality. Just as functional as the normal hatchback, it has room for up to five adults, a large sliding-lid centre console and 60/40 split fold-down back seats to expand the cargo bay and carry larger items. At the same time, the interior contributes to a truly exhilarating driving experience. The front seat passengers are cocooned in special semi-bucket sport seats with good side support, and more thigh and back support compared to the seats of the first-generation MPS. The shift lever of the six-speed manual transmission is now mounted 60 mm higher and slanted towards the driver, which puts it closer to the steering wheel and makes sporty driving more comfortable.
In front of the driver are new instruments incorporating the MPS logo and a new LCD turbo boost gauge placed between the main dials. This snug, sporty cockpit and gauges moving with engine performance, make driving the new MPS a unique experience and contribute to a close bond between car and driver, a true Mazda trademark.
The cockpit is not only sportier, but also easier to use. It has been created using a ‘zone layout’ with advanced human-machine interface (HMI) techniques that position displays and controls for natural, intuitive use. There is a new multi-information display (MID), for instance, that shows all essential vehicle and integrated navigation info – placed within the driver’s field of vision for a minimum of eye movement while driving – and a new MID switch on the right of the steering wheel that allows switching between displays without the driver taking his or her hands from the wheel.
The MID includes audio system info, settings and maintenance reminders like volume settings for warnings, switching between km and miles, and even on/off settings for displaying regular service inspections like tyre rotation, etc. The trip computer readout shows current fuel consumption rate, average fuel consumption rate, distance-to-empty and average vehicle speed. The all-new MPS also features Mazda´s Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System with a transmitter key that unlocks the doors automatically, and lets you start the car with an ignition button (standard or optional, depending on market)
Materials in a black keynote colour were chosen carefully to communicate quality and sportiness. The seats in half leather have an organic red graphic – matching red stitching on the door trim, gear shift lever boot, centre (sliding) armrest and steering wheel. Standard equipment (depending on market) includes are a premium 10-speaker BOSE® stereo system with Centerpoint® Surround System and AutoPilot2® noise compensation, an interactive lighting control and illumination entry system (standard for all markets) and Bluetooth® technology for hands-free telephoning and for playing MP3 devices on the car’s audio system without cables – among many other premium features.
The acclaimed MZR 2.3-litre direct-injection turbo petrol engine of the original model has been updated for the new-generation MPS. It features an evolved torque control system for a more refined driving experience, and meets strict Euro V emission requirements without a loss of power or torque.
MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo
Using high-pressure, direct-injection petrol technology has a host of advantages over classic injection systems. Torque generated by the 2.3-litre DISI engine is about 10 percent higher at 3,000 rpm, because of the cooling effect caused by injecting petrol directly into the combustion chamber. The engine is optimized even further by the introduction of a new bonnet scoop. Its cooling efficiency results in a smooth, linear increase in the rotation speed of the blades of the single-scroll turbo charger to deliver more power at lower engine speeds. The MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo produces maximum power of 191 kW (260 PS) at 5,500 rpm. It responds quickly to pedal movement thanks to high maximum torque of 380 Nm at a low 3,000 rpm, sprints from 0-to-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
The manner in which the new MPS develops all this power has been refined to better suppress sudden torque peaks. To realize this, goal, Mazda engineers adjusted the electronic throttle and intake volume, readjusted how the electronic boost pressure system interacts with the car’s torque-sensitive super-limited slip differential (LSD) and optimized the left and right drive shafts to minimize torque steer. For the driver, this translates into a more refined driving experience without sacrificing power or performance. This is truly an everyday sports car with driving fun guaranteed.
In terms of emissions, the new Mazda3 MPS improves upon its predecessor and meets strict Euro Stage V standards, without any loss of driving fun. The manual six-speed transmission is fitted with slightly higher gear ratios than the original model, and electric hydraulic power-assisted steering is introduced. Both these changes contribute to keeping fuel consumption at a modest level. The new MPS is also lighter (by around 25 kg), has an optimised aerodynamic design with a low drag coefficient of Cd 0.32, and new engine calibration. All this results in a slight improvement in overall fuel economy (0.1 litre less per 100 km combined) and 7 grams less CO2 at 224 g/km). The direct injection system, which delivers a very homogenous fuel/air mixture around the spark plugs, allowed engineers to retard ignition timing and raise exhaust-gas temperatures at cold start to quickly heat up the new, single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. The engine’s lightweight, single-scroll turbocharger also contributes to this by limiting heat loss in the exhaust system.
The manual six-speed transmission of the MPS completes the sports car experience by delivering smooth and precise gear shifting. It has a three-shaft design with triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears, and a double-cone synchronizer for fourth gear, plus it is filled with a new low-viscosity transmission fluid for easy shifting when the engine and gearbox are cold.
The Mazda 3 MPS is available now from £21,500 on the road.
On the inside, Mazda’s new compact flagship has a unique combination of sportiness and practicality. Just as functional as the normal hatchback, it has room for up to five adults, a large sliding-lid centre console and 60/40 split fold-down back seats to expand the cargo bay and carry larger items. At the same time, the interior contributes to a truly exhilarating driving experience. The front seat passengers are cocooned in special semi-bucket sport seats with good side support, and more thigh and back support compared to the seats of the first-generation MPS. The shift lever of the six-speed manual transmission is now mounted 60 mm higher and slanted towards the driver, which puts it closer to the steering wheel and makes sporty driving more comfortable. 
Materials in a black keynote colour were chosen carefully to communicate quality and sportiness. The seats in half leather have an organic red graphic – matching red stitching on the door trim, gear shift lever boot, centre (sliding) armrest and steering wheel. Standard equipment (depending on market) includes are a premium 10-speaker BOSE® stereo system with Centerpoint® Surround System and AutoPilot2® noise compensation, an interactive lighting control and illumination entry system (standard for all markets) and Bluetooth® technology for hands-free telephoning and for playing MP3 devices on the car’s audio system without cables – among many other premium features.