mts Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 King of the road Saturday July 8, 2006 By Alastair Sloane Mazda heads further into go-fast territory at the end of this month with its new Mazda3 MPS, a hot hatchback with the potential to be crowned the segment's power broker. The lickety-split five-door is the second model to wear the Mazda Performance Series badge after the release here last year of the all-wheel-drive Mazda6 MPS sedan. But, unlike the sedan, the Mazda3 delivers its segment-leading power through the front wheels only, where torque steer is inherent in such drivetrains. The Mazda3 MPS is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 190kW (255bhp) at 5500rpm and 380Nm of torque at 3000rpm and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. That makes it one of the fastest front-drivers on the planet and gives it considerably more oomph than the most desirable front-drive hot hatchback on the New Zealand market at the moment, the turbocharged 2-litre 150kW/280Nm Volkswagen GTi, or the longtime bang-for-your-buck leader, the boosted 2.5-litre 169kW/320Nm all-wheel-drive Subaru WRX Impreza. Mazda says it uses computer-controlled components to "eliminate" torque steer, where driven front wheels scrambling under a powerful throttle fight the driver through the steering wheel for control of the vehicle. It says that to maximise traction and minimise torque steer, the turbocharged hatchback uses boost-pressure control to suppress sudden torque peaks. This ensures that engine torque is applied smoothly and that torque increases only to a certain level, it says. In addition, when using first or second gears in tight corners when large steering inputs are required - detected by a steering angle sensor - the engine-management system will again control the throttle valve, limiting excessive torque delivery. The standard stability/traction control system, which can be switched off, also intervenes to keep the car from heading into a hedge by monitoring different speeds of the front and rear wheels. To further boost traction, says the company, the Mazda3 MPS comes with a torque-sensing limited slip differential similar in its design and operation to that used in the RX-8 and MX-5. The mechanical LSD, which has a torque split of 66:34, provides pulling power to the inner wheel during hard cornering and benefits traction under hard acceleration. The car's body and floor assembly have been reinforced to handle the much higher load from the engine. Engineers also gave the MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension higher spring rates, larger stabiliser bars and dampers with up to six times more damping force, depending on damper piston speed. The Mazda3 is expected to cost around $46,000. The six-speed manual Golf GTi costs $49,990 and the five-speed Subaru $44,990. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohamedeladawy@hotmail.com Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 46,000?! i hope this is in the australian currency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 its a great buy, but I have never liked hatchbacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mts Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 n Japan, the Mazdaspeed 3's turbocharged 2.3-liter inline four pumps out 264 hp (JIS — the Japanese horsepower standard). For the U.S. version, Mazda assures us that the engine will produce "more than 250 hp." That's SAE horsepower — the U.S. standard — and promises to be very, very competitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MazdaMomma Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 $46 K for that tiny thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohamedeladawy@hotmail.com Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 its actually 22,000 fully loaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 NZ Currency is a little weaker again compared to Australian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mts Posted January 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohamedeladawy@hotmail.com Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 i heard one drive by. it really makes u look twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 In a recent Wheels magazine comparison, the MPS proved comforably the quickest in its class against models like the 5 cylinder turbo Ford Focus and Holden Astra coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MazdaMomma Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirmakesalot Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 what is the conversion factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 One Australian dollar is currently about 87 US cents... however cars here are more expensive in general due to the expense of dealership infrastructure etc for a small population over a large country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MazdaMomma Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Examples: Lexus LS460: Australia: A$186,200 US: US$61,500 (albeit without a few standard features) Mazda3: Australia: A$20,990 (base) US: US$14,530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankzao Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 I just got back from taking my sister to go pick up her 08 Mazda 3 5-door zoom zoom lives on in my family....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginph Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 380Nm of torque at 3000rpm and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. That makes it one of the fastest front-drivers on the planet Excellent mazda. Others are idiot since they dont put 380Nm to a fwd car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mts Posted June 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 Great for torque steer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I invite pics of the Good Zao's related non male 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankzao Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Pics you say? I shall conger some up!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 O RRY? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginph Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 O RRY? This thread died a long time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 But the Good Zao has pics on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankzao Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 I guess I should get some pics!!!!! I shall invite said non male owned 3 over and take some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 As the Great Troutman prophesised, so shall it be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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