First Drive Review
The Mazda 3 is already a huge hit, but until now there hasn't been a performance version. That changes with the Mazdaspeed 3, which is targeted, according to chief engineer Tatsuo Maeda, directly at the Volkswagen GTI.
Externally, the Mazdaspeed 3 gets subtle yet sporty upgrades to the grille and bumpers, and a rear roof spoiler and 18-inch rims. Inside, the two-tone interior trim, the red stitching, the leather steering wheel and gear-shifter, and the polished aluminum pedals make it feel very European.
Tipping the scales at roughly 3100 pounds, the Mazdaspeed 3 is lighter than the GTI and boasts an advantage of 63 horsepower and 74 pound-feet over its German rival. Employing the same 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo unit as the Mazdaspeed 6, but with retuned intake and exhaust systems and a modified ECU that reduces torque levels in the first three gears, the Mazdaspeed 3 generates 263 horses at 5500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 3000 rpm. That translates to a 0-to-60 time under six seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph.
Power comes on from 2500 rpm and stays hot all the way to the 6750-rpm redline. The linear torque response is more akin to that of a gutsy V-6 than a turbo four. The six-speed manual transmission is typically slick and easy to use.
To reduce wheelspin and torque steer, Mazda reinforced the driveshafts and fitted a specially tuned torque-sensing limited-slip differential. Other modifications to the 3's chassis include extra reinforcement around the floor and center tunnel and across the strut towers, plus higher spring rates and thicker anti-roll bars. The larger brakes and calipers are modified from those of the Volvo S60, and the 3 is equipped with sticky Bridgestone RE050A tires.
Honed in Germany, this suspension and chassis package is terrific, and the ride quality and the noise levels are surprisingly good. In short, this is a serious rival to the GTI, especially since it starts at $22,835.
