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Cool design, good suspension and precise handling, 5 seats, over 200 BHP under the hood, 6.1 seconds from 0-62 mph and a maximum speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Sounds like a good hot hatch definition. Some time ago this performance would mean… Porsche, or BMW M3. Now you get that in a compact class. And Mazda just updated their player in this segment: New Mazda 3 MPS just arrived.

Previous model (dated back in 2007) was pretty controversial. It had the same 260 BHP 2.3 liter engine as the new one. But users were complaining about the handling and fuel consumption.

The design was too similar to regular road version. Being the most powerful in the class… just isn’t enough, when You can’t put this power on the road in a civilized way. At the end of last year Mazda presented new generation of “3″ model. Sport version came few months after that during Geneva Motor Show. Under the hood it had modified engine from previous model. Japanese also adjusted the suspension and brakes. Now You can see the first of the new MPS’s hitting the roads, as they are just arriving to car dealers.

Zoom zoom!

Aggressive lines of new “zoom zoom” compact are likeable. MPS version got some spoilers that widen and lower the car visually. They also influence aerodynamics, what is pretty important when the car can reach over 150 mph (250 km/h). Stiff suspension and precise steering allow the driver to experience what’s best from the car.

We know that Mazda takes care of the driver – we learned that holding the wheel of legendary Mx-5. So although model “3″ it’s only front wheel drive – designers took good care of potential traction problems. Unfortunately they didn’t fit the RevoKnuckle front suspension known from Focus RS (as they promised before). But anyway… Mazda 3 MPS has a reduced slip diff and electronic system that controls the torque when there’s too much of it on the wheels.

At first gear this system keeps the throttle under control and reduces maximum torque to “only” 325 Nm (240 lb/ft). The second gear allows to reach 350 Nm (258 lb/ft). Full 380 Nm is available from third gear up. Electronics also reduces the torque when turning the wheel to much. These restrictions influence the driving experience, by correcting driver’s heavy foot -> improving the traction.

It makes the car less… crazy. Also it might be treated as interfering too much. But still allows the car to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6,1 seconds! This result places MPS only behind Focus RS (which has 305 HP). At the same time Mazda claims that fuel appetite was lowered. It should get around average 10 l/100 km (around 23 mpg). City 13-15l/100km (around 17 mpg).

Minuses?

Some… Interior isn’t too spacious, navigation system is difficult to work with, quality of plastics used to build the dashboard is very average and their styling somehow doesn’t meet the dynamics of the exterior. Mazda engineers also underlined the fact of reducing the exhaust noise that reaches the passengers. All these things are details that are probably ignored by a potential buyer of a hot hatch. Well, in case of the exhaust noise probably we would even wan’t to have some more of it.

Will this version repeat the success of the previous one (31k sold worldwide)?

Well the new one is better, but in time of crisis the competition got tougher. So Mazda added some extra equipment: xenon lights, double climate control, heated front window, 18 inch wheels etc. For this configuration You will have to pay around 29k Euro. It’s a little more than a basic GTI and around the same as Seat Leon Cupra or Astra OPC, but the car is a little higher in the league.

It’s currently one of the most powerful and best looking hot hatches out there. So it’s a good choice. Another benefit is that the car is pretty rare on the streets of Europe. If You wan’t to have a unique hot hatch: forget Golf or Focus ST – buy Mazda 3 MPS!

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