MR Car Design Wrenches Out an Extra 50hp from Mazda3 MPS Hot Hatch

German tuning and styling house MR Car Design has announced the arrival of a new performance package for the European market Mazda3 MPS hatchback, which is known as the MazdaSpeed3 in North America. Read more »

Edmunds Tests 2013 Ford Focus ST, Finds it Slower but with Better Handling than MazdaSpeed3

The fact that Ford did not have an available 2013 Focus ST press car didn't discourage Edmunds' InsideLine from testing the hot hatch in the U.S., as the online magazine went ahead and spent $29,185 to buy a Tangerine Scream example from a local dealer to add to its long-term fleet.

After completing a quick break-in to settle in the mechanical components of the car, InsideLine then took Ford's 252-horsepower hatch to the track.

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2013 Mazda3 MPS Hot Hatch Remains Largely Unchanged, Priced Just Under £24k in the UK

Mazda has released pricing information for the 2013 model year Mazda3 MPS (known as the MazdaSpeed3 in North America) in Britain.

The performance version of the series skips on most of the cosmetic upgrades found on the rest of the range. The only changes made to the MPS are the new graphics on the tail lamps, plus a new gunmetal finish for the 18-inch alloy wheels, and a Black Mica finish for the inner roof spoiler (beneath the wing), door mirror housings and lower rear bumper trim.

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R&T Tires-up Scion FR-S and Pits it Against the Impreza WRX and Mazdaspeed3

By now, the “less is more” dictum that Toyota keeps repeating at every opportunity concerning its GT86 (that’s Scion FR-S in the US) rear-wheel drive coupe must be ingrained in every car fan’s head.

The 86/FR-S/BRZ trio ignores the horsepower and performance war and focuses on pure driver enjoyment like its famous ancestor, the Toyota AE86.

Well, a safe way to have a lot of fun is going to a track. However, here the 17-inch Michelin Primacy HP 87W GreenX tires with which the Scion FR-S is fitted with are below par. This comes as no surprise since they are the exact ones worn by the Prius hybrid and they are made for low resistance and fuel saving, not recording lap times.

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2013 Ford Focus ST Sessions Video Featuring the MazdaSpeed3, Subaru WRX and BMW M3

Ford has premiered the first of five episodes of its new web video series dedicated to the 2013 Focus ST hot hatch titled "ST Sessions".

Following the one-minute teaser released back in mid-July, the first session shows the 252-horsepower Focus ST measuring up against its natural rivals, the 263hp MazdaSpeed3 and 265hp Subaru Impreza WRX hatchbacks, as well as the more expensive and much faster 414hp BMW M3 Coupe.

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Ford Teases 2013 Focus ST Vs. Rivals Video with BMW M3, VW Golf GTI and More

The Blue Oval continues to heavily promote the new Focus ST ahead of its U.S. market launch in September.

After the crowd sourced video showing Top Gear host Tanner Foust and stunt driver Greg Tracy racing against each other in Focus STs on the streets of Florida's Key West, Ford has prepared another clip titled "Focus ST Sessions", which will come out on July 31.

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BBR Offers New Power Kits for Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS with up to 400HP

Power is the name of the game when it comes to UK tuning firm BBR that has just released a newly developed range of engine and suspension upgrade packages for the Mazda3 and Mazda6 MPS models (named MAZDASPEED3 and MAZDASPEED6 respectively in North America).

Since the two Mazda models are powered by the same 2.3-liter turbocharged four-pot, BBR's engine kits apply to both vehicles.

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Hot Mazda2 Turbo with MAZDASPEED3 Engine and 3dCarbon Concepts Hit the SEMA Show Floor

There's a lot going on at Mazda's 2011 SEMA Show booth this year. Along with the two MX-5 concept roadsters, the Japanese brand also brought a pair of hotted-up Mazda2 studies to the Las Vegas show.

Without doubt, the Mazda2 Turbo is the one to watch out for as the concept model has been fitted with the MAZDASPEED3's MZR 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine that pumps out 263-horses and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm.

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VIDEO: Frustrated BMW Driver Takes a Fit on Mazda3 Owner for Challenging Him

This Mazdaspeed3 owner was driving on a scenic road with a few soft twists somewhere in Northern California when at some point a BMW 335i saloon pulled out in front him and started lifting the pace. The Mazda driver decided to follow along keeping, however, a relatively safe distance from the bimmer.

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Tokyo '09: Suzusho Supasse-V with 270HP MazdaSpeed3 Turbo Engine

One of the less known - if at all - small Japanese carmakers, Suzusho, unveiled its latest creation at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, the lightweight Supasse-V. The strange-looking sports car with the scissor doors that reminds us of the Lotus Elise in philosophy is powered by a midship-mounted, specially tuned version of the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the MazdaSpeed3 producing around 270 horsepower. All that grunt is sent to the rear wheels through a Mazda-sourced six-speed manual gearbox. More photos after the jump.

All Images Shot by our Tokyo Motor Show man, Phil Alex

New 260HP Mazda3 MPS to go on Sale in the UK on October 1st

Mazda has confirmed UK pricing for the all-new Mazda3 MPS that goes on sale October 1. The... smiley faced hot hatch is being marketed in the UK in a single trim level with pricing set at £21,500 (on the road) including mica or metallic paint finish. Based on the second generation Mazda3, the MPS is motivated by a 2.3-liter turbocharged four that makes 260 horsepower and 380Nm or 280 lb-ft of torque and drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Japanese firm announces a 0 to 62mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 6.1seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph or 250 km/h.

Standard features on the UK-spec model include Bluetooth technology, a surround-sound BOSE premium audio system with 10 speakers, plus steering-wheel mounted audio controls, front bucket sports seats, a new MID (multi information display) with a compact satellite navigation system that uses a high-resolution 11 cm (4.1 inch) screen mounted in the dashboard's upper section and automatic dual zone climate control air conditioning.

Happy Days: 2010 Mazda CX-9 Facelift Coming to NY Show along with new CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3

It's going to be all about 'smileys' at Mazda's stand at next month's New York International Auto Show. Along with the all-new, high-performance 2010 MazdaSpeed3 hatch and the refreshed 2010 CX-7 crossover, Mazda will also present the supposedly "heavily revised" CX-9 large crossover. Mazda claims that the 2010 CX-9 has received an exterior and interior facelift without however giving our any further details.

Form what we can tell, the facelifted CX-9 now features a larger and somewhat... smiley-shaped lower grille that seems to be making it on all Mazda models, along with a newly styled bumper, a five-point upper grille, revised headlamps and new exterior mirrors.

Geneva Show: 2010 Mazda3 MPS - MazdaSpeed3 with 260HP, High-Res Photo Gallery

Inheriting the 260-horsepower strong 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine of the current model, the new Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. On the outside, Mazda's proposal in the hot hatch segment is distinguished by details such as the WRX-style hood scoop, the larger roof wing, new 18-inch alloy wheels and the restyled bumpers.

Inside, Mazda attempted to give the car a sportier feeling with semi-bucket seats and a tachometer that features a red MPS logo and a needle that travels through 260 degrees as opposed to the 190-degree rotation on other new Mazda3 models. The instrument cluster for the all-new MPS also includes an LED turbo boost gauge positioned between the meters. The MPS also gets red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and centre armrest.

Under the skin, the MPS is powered by a refined version of the current model's 2.3-liter turbocharged engine producing the same 260HP at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine is matted to a six-speed manual gearbox that delivers power to the front wheels. The new MPS features a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and acceleration of 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds.

Mazda supports that optimized aerodynamics help reduce fuel consumption from 9.7l/100 km (24.2mpg US) on the previous model to 9.2l/100 km (25.6mpg US) - a 5 percent improvement. Also newly introduced on this engine is the world's first single-nanotechnology, fast-reacting catalytic converter, which delivers cleaner emissions and Euro5 compliance.

The new Mazda3 MPS also comes with a revised suspension set up, improved steering and larger diameter 320 mm ventilated disc brakes in the front and 280 mm solid discs in the rear. Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) replaces the previous mechanical system, while four-wheel ABS and DSC belong to the car's standard equipment.

New Mazda3 MPS dimensions and specifications for EU

Model name		Mazda3 MPS
Dimensions
Overall length	mm	4,505
Overall height	mm	1,460
Overall width	mm	1,770
Wheelbase	mm	2,640
Track (front/rear)	mm	1,535 /1,520
Luggage capacity	l	340 (300 with Bose® System)
Drive train		FWD

Engine		MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo
Displacement	cc	2,261
Bore x stroke	mm	87.5 x 94.0
Fuel tank capacity	l	60
Max. output	kW/PS	191/260 at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque	Nm	380 at 3,000 rpm

Fuel consumption *
Combined	l/100km	9.2
Urban	l/100km	13.5
Extra urban	l/100km	7.5
CO2 emission (combined)	g\km	217
Emission		Euro Stage V
Exhaust system		single-nanotechnology
Transmission		6-speed manual transmission
Differential		Torque-sensing Limited Slip Differential

Performance
Max. speed	km/h	250
0-100 km/h (EU)	sec	6.1
Steering		Electro-hydraulic power assist system
Turn lock-to-lock		2.7
Min. turning circle	m	11
Suspension, front		MacPherson strut
Suspension, rear		Multi-link
Coil spring rate, front	N/mm	26.8
Coil spring rate, rear	N/mm	29.9
Dampers, front		Twin tube
Dampers, rear		Mono tube
Stabiliser diameter, front	mm	26
Stabiliser diameter, rear	mm	25
Front brake type, diameter	mm	Ventilated discs, 320
Rear brake type, diameter	mm	Solid discs, 280
Brake booster		8" + 9" tandem booster & large 1" diameter master cylinder
Tyres, wheels		Dunlop 225/40 R18, 18 x 7.5J