Spy Shot: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 Scooped at Nürburgring
Now that the new Mazda3 has been shown to off to the public, it seems that engineers at Mazda are plowing ahead with another new version of the car, the fire-breathing 2010 Mazdaspeed3.
The first super noticeable feature on the upcoming white hot hatch is the massive scoop that graces the front hood, surely an add worthy of a second glance from even the most died-the-wool Subaru junkie. That intake is likely there to feed a turbocharged 2.5-liter four, with Mazda said to increasing displacement just a bit for this generation of Speed3. The resultant powerplant should be good for at least 300 horsepower, and may even signal a shift to an all-wheel-drive vehicle—though a front driver is still the most likely configuration.
An impressive set of front and rear spoilers, as well as two hefty exhaust pipes help to complete the look of the ultra aggressive Mazda; making our hearts beat a little faster at the prospect of our first drive in the process. Read the photographer’s own notes below.
Will Mazda try to give Subaru and Mitsubishi a hard life when talking about wannabe rally cars? Well, it sure looks that way when we see this new Mazda 3 in a hi-performance version.
Look at that big air intake on the engine hood…wow. And we guess that the cammo also hides some big holes in the front bumper as well. At the rear of this Mazda 3 we can also find a gigantic rear spoiler and two fat exhaust pipes.
The question is if they give this Mazda 3 MPS four wheel drive this time, or keep it a front wheel drive like the last one. We heard some rumors that the 3 MPS will get the same engine and drivetrain like the upcoming Ford Focus RS, meaning 300 horsepower on the front wheels.
I guess sooner or later we will find out, until then, just enjoy the photos while the prototype takes some quick laps around the Nürburgring.
Comments
mo
having 300 hp going just to the front tires is so much. I think mazda should make it a 4wd. If they did so and if they kept the price at around 25 we would get a winner.
IntoxicatedPuma
My guess is that it will use the same system as the new Focus RS, it is also a 300 hp but it's a 2.5L Volvo 5 cylinder instead. It's on the same platform, so maybe a LSD with that revo-knuckle or whatever Ford calls it. An AWD system would be nice, but Volvo said they refrained from using such a system on the C30 because of weight issues, so I think Mazda will probably agree with that.
A Focus RS, and Mazdaspeed3, this might get interesting if the C30 is released with an R version (that I could see being AWD)
Franklin
Don't tell me they are going to make the MPS version a hatch-only car again! Why does Mazda insist that go fast types want a hatchback? Picture BMW doing that...then again, don't.
Mo-
Being the current owner of a 1989 323 GTX I really hope they do a 4wd version of this car. I'd really like to see it in that form.
If they can give it handling prowess of the Mazdaspeed 3 it would be a great combination.
C'mon Mazda!
Chopper
Tone down the boy racer looks! Hood scoops and huge spoilers? Is it 1993 again?
6stringman
Having owned all wheel drive and experiencing the superior performance afforded by that technology, especially on wet roads, I won't buy the Speed3 without it. C"mon, Mazda, it's a no-brainer!
GTX'er
That would be great if they decided to produce an AWD Mazdaspeed3. My GTX is now 20yrs old and I'd rather not put any more highway miles on her; I'd rather save that for track days and rallycrosses. :)
Get off your butts, Mazda, and give the masses what they want!
(who am I kidding? Like the dweebs at Mazda actually read this stuff)
Anonymous
I hope the spoilers and scoop are just part of the disguise. The appeal of the Mazdaspeed 3 is performance without too much of the boy racer look.
Mazdaniac
I definitely think the engine will be a 2,5 L upgraded version of Mazdas 3-year in a row Wards 10-best 2,3 L DISI Turbo. Why would they switch that to the Volvo engine (which is heavier, higher fuel-consumption, no more - rather lower power)?! Makes no sense, I would rather guess the new upcoming Focus RS will be upgraded with the Mazda engine. I know Volvo have been looking at it as well for use in some of their models. It´s definitely a more refined engine.
Keith
I agree that the next engine would be a refinement of the existing engine. Add a little extra displacement and that would give you the 300 HP and 320lbft of torque, AWD would be really nice.
Mena
I'll take it if it's AWD. Maybe I can convince the wife that she needs one.
Ferdball
The hood scoop would feed the intercooler, not the intake.
wyvernone
Why does anyone want to carry an AWD deadweight around town on a daily car? Come on Mazda, don't listen to the masses of the gullibles. AWD is only needed in WRC rally cars where the mud, snow and gravels are the battle grounds.
I seriously believe AWD are for people who are lacking in driving skill development and adaptation. People who drive AWD cars think they are rally driver wannabes but they're not.
Anonymous
whos to say that it wont be used for rally? im sure if they put AWD in this car that they would lose weight elsware, maybe not enough to compensate for the full weight of the AWD but enough to make it less noticeable and just as performance capable. im pretty sure you dont have any room to talk about driving skill, judging by the way you talk in your comment you sound like a teenager looking for a rice burner. get a Honda and stay out of the forums when you dont know what your talking about.
big $$$$$$
having owned a mazdaspeed 3 with 263hp its just to much power for the front wheels and the torque steer would be horrible unless mazda reduced power in the first 2 or 3 gears again which is just crap. Offer the sport at around 21000 and add the awd so about 23-24k for a sport and 27-29 for a gt. They had AWD in the mazdaspeed 6 so the technology is already there. In a stright line fwd wins most of the time on the road with less drivetrain loss. but corners are just deadly with all that power stealing traction from the front tires in the corners. The fwd mazdaspeed pushes to much in the corners and is noseheavy. The awd will balance it out and while you are at it mazda put the battery in the back and put a aluminum hood the the thing. the stock is like 75lbs.
Speedy3
The stock hood is NOT even close to 75 lbs. It weighs exactly 39 lbs. Also, the MS3 has virtually 0 torque steer due to Mazda's excellent equal length drive shaft design and huge LSD. Do your homework, you obviously never owned a MS3.
younggeneration
You know what, I don't care if the MS3 has awd or fwd, it's a great car either way, as long as its affordable, but what I REALLY think needs to be offered is either an automated manual gearbox or a shiftable automatic gearbox as either standard or an optional extra, because a manual can be a lot of pain in cities with higher traffic, for example in DC where I live...
Anonymous
Why isn't Mazda offering a sedan version? Some people don't like hatchbacks.
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