We’ve been waiting a long time for a new Mazda 3 MPS, but it appears the Japanese carmaker has absolutely no desire to pursue such a model at the moment. So, if you’ve been holding your breath for a Mazda rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30 N, among many others, sorry to disappoint.
Speaking to Mazda’s head of vehicle development and product planning Hiroyuki Matsumoto, CarsGuide reports that while Mazda 3 programme manager Kota Beppu has expressed interest in a hotter version of the C-segment model, Matsumoto has other thoughts.
“We are capable of creating an engine to answer such demands for more power, but at the moment, we have no plan to do it,” he explained. As Matsumoto did not end his sentence with the word “ever,” there’s still a glimmer of hope for those who are still grasping at straws.
In the United States, the Mazda 3 is available with SkyActiv-G 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 186 hp and 252 Nm of torque. Meanwhile in Japan, the CX-5 is offered with a turbocharged version of that engine with 227 hp and 420 Nm, so through internet science, an MPS is definitely possible!
Of course, it’s hard to fault Mazda on putting off an MPS 3, as the carmaker is busy preparing a bevy of new technologies and models as part of its ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030’ long-term vision. The new Mazda 3 and CX-30 are the first two models to form its next-generation product line-up, and there’s plenty more in store.
Referring to the company’s briefing in 2018, the rollout of its SkyActiv-X compression ignition engine has already begun in selected markets. Following this, there’s the push to deliver battery electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems, with the former said to be offered with a rotary engine acting as a range extender.
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MPX3?
with the absence of Mazda3 MPS, its great opportunity to launch Honda Civic Si 258HP here
“We are capable of creating an engine to answer such demands for more power, but at the moment, we have no plan to do it,” by Hiroyuki Matsumoto.
Is he sure? the last Mazda MPS is a 2.3 turbocharged delivering 256hp. a mitsubishi evo 2.0 turbo, honda civic FK8 2.0 turbo, Golf GTI R and even the BMW 330i produces more horsepower than the Mazda MPS.
These cars have smaller engine capacity but still produces more horsepower. So I’m not impressed with the Mazda MPS. I’m not sure if Mazda can even match the horsepower if the engine capacity is limited to 2.0 only.
lol bro obviously you’ve never tried one or owned an mps before…
the stock mps power was kept at that level (260ps 380nm), more torque than most of its competitors back in 2011, by mazda themselves back in 2011… so there’s a lot of space for the aftermarket for opening up the 2.3L turbo engine’s potential
Simple replacement of air intake, a retune, and other supporting mods opens up to 340whp (at the wheel ya) and 480nm (again at the wheel) on the stock K04 turbo..
There are only 100 units in Malaysia brought in by Bermaz back in 2012 and there are a few tuned ones making 450whp and 550nm roaming the streets in the klang valley..
never underestimate this sleeper hothatch
Whatever the case, when such Mazda arrived at Mesia, everything will be bare-bone, sub-standard, devoid of safety features, etc…while comes with unshamely big price tag.
Surprisingly, there will be stooges who would still buy them.
u mean toyota?