Looks quite good IMO. Sounds like there won't be much difference in performance, but maybe that's a good thing (Eh, Col?)

I like the RX-8 Wheels, they really suit the car.

Mazda 3 MPS and i-stop: first official photos | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online

Not bad

The new 3 is not as bold as it could have been but its far better looking than some of the shonky east european grot boxes you still see about

I'd read that the 2.3 DISI was becoming a 2.5 DISI with another 30hp but it seems it wasn't true :(

I'd read that the 2.3 DISI was becoming a 2.5 DISI with another 30hp but it seems it wasn't true :(

The 6 has the new 2.5 engine in the Sport model, but it looks as though they thought better of putting it in the 3. Probably to justify production costs, as the 2.3 DISI was a brand new engine developed my Mazda when it was put into the MPS's.

Good to hear they've reduced emissions, it might be a bit cheaper on tax.

The Mazda 3 and 6 MPS are underated. Previous models had subtle styling but were very quick. The new 3 looks nice.

The 6 has the new 2.5 engine in the Sport model, but it looks as though they thought better of putting it in the 3. Probably to justify production costs, as the 2.3 DISI was a brand new engine developed my Mazda when it was put into the MPS's.

Good to hear they've reduced emissions, it might be a bit cheaper on tax.

I expect the new MPS to be Tax band F as even Ford have managed to keep the new RS down to 225g/km. This will help is compete against the other hot hatches in spite of the lack of power increase.

If they're keepign the 2.3 the least they can do is up it to 282 as they have done in other markets.

Neo_VR is already wetting his pants!

I like that alot.

Me Likey

I love the current 3MPS - infact I test drove one the day the dealer got one in!

Not so keen on the bonnet scoop (top mount IC?), but otherwise it looks great!

Not so keen on the bonnet scoop (top mount IC?), but otherwise it looks great!

I think so. the old 6MPS had a top mount IC, and the bonnet had an air intake moulded into it on the underside (hence the bulge). The air intake formed a seal round the IC when the bonnet was shut, and used to draw air in through the grille, so a more stealthy intake than an Imprezza.

I think so. the old 6MPS had a top mount IC, and the bonnet had an air intake moulded into it on the underside (hence the bulge). The air intake formed a seal round the IC when the bonnet was shut, and used to draw air in through the grille, so a more stealthy intake than an Imprezza.

Correct.. tiz the same on the 3... bit annoying because the MPS bonnet bulge makes it bit difficult to judge distances and see things like traffic cones

Im undecided what i think about the new MPS.. styling wise i love everything about it except the front bumper.. too widemouth frog for me.

Rumors is the engine will recieve a small power upgrade (265-275) and drop down a tax band... definately a contender to replace my MPS in 2 years.. my mods should bolt straight on too

Rumors is the engine will recieve a small power upgrade (265-275) and drop down a tax band... definately a contender to replace my MPS in 2 years.. my mods should bolt straight on too

So what mods have you got then, Col? I nearly tore me hair out trying to find a good tuner to remap the 6 MPS. That car really needed a hike in power due to the weight. but no-one would touch it at the time.

The new 3 MPS is rapidly rising up my list of Next car. BMW 335i MST is too expensive and too goddamn rare. Scirocco 2.0 GT is number 1 just now but losing it's sheen due to cost and lack of standard kit.

3MPS - stealth, kit, practicality, I reckon I could get a pre-reg for at least £2K under list, and POOOOWERRRR! lol.

The 3MPS will be available for a few £k under list for sure.

Just realised you can get a 2008 3MPS for £11k now, or a 2006 6MPS for £8k.

So what mods have you got then, Col? I nearly tore me hair out trying to find a good tuner to remap the 6 MPS. That car really needed a hike in power due to the weight. but no-one would touch it at the time.

Still a big complaint. Some options to change bits of hardware but software is illusive. One chap on the forums sold an MPS after a month to buy a Focus ST because he couldn't tune the Mazda

Yeah, it is a pig to tune these cars... any parts need to be brought in from the states, and as you can imagine at the current exchange rate is a bit dear....

There is one company in the UK that can map them.. although its a very generic map im worried that itll take the car too far once i get a downpipe and tubo-intake on there too.

Interestingly the mazda uses the same kind of direct injection as the TFSI does... same pump, same pressure... and with the same kind of gains by changing it.

Will be interesting to see what extra kit over and above the current MPS this has, considering it has pretty much everything

Will be interesting to see what extra kit over and above the current MPS this has, considering it has pretty much everything

Yes I wondered that as well. Yours is the Aero pack is it not? Bristling with technology!

From past experience, I'd like to see proper Ipod integration for the stereo AND a USB input, which shows track names and folders on the display. Even Kia has got this sorted.

I think they should offer MPS performance packs like Mazda USA and Mazda Oz do. they include most things an average performance fan would need, - remap, suspension and brakes.

the rumour is June for the new 3 MPS

It will be interesting to see the marketing stance, and how that affects the journos..

EG every journo mentions/criticises the current one for limiting power in the first 2 gears... but IIRC the focus ST does this too, just not a widely marketed fact.. no doubt will be the same story for the RS... it will more than likely be compared to the RS too rather than the golf/vxr/ST etc even tho itll be in the price bracket of the latter, and better specced to boot.

The MegSport 225 has torque limiting in 1st and 2nd too Col, so it's fairly common in the sector really. Only in the R26 and R26R is it either pegged back or removed, I think because of the presence of a LSD. But it's not that surprising, when you couple a turbo'd petrol engine with FWD and try to get it off the line properly.

Steve

There are some more pics and a few more details here, ahead of the Geneva unveiling

I like the interior, subtle and special. I'd like to see this car in black to se how the widemouth grille looks.

2010 Mazda3 MPS Shares the Geneva Limelight - worldcarfans

Looks like the front "mouth" thing is actually painted mettalic black on some of those pics... that would be uber

Mps 3 needs 4x4. Also noticed that 6's seem to have gone up on the secondhand market since I looked at one in the autumn - odd

Just realised you can get a 2006 6MPS for £8k.

That's a lot of car for that money:thumbup:

Mps 3 needs 4x4. Also noticed that 6's seem to have gone up on the secondhand market since I looked at one in the autumn - odd

I disagree, I test drove one with the sports aero kit, and i think the power delivery and the LSD worked very well and gave it much better traction than my vRS. On top of that it was sooooo much quicker. Lovely burble from the exhaust as well.

The only things i could fault that would put me off one, were the interior want as nice to be in(seats were nice though), the handbrake looked like it was an after thought(to be picky) and the boot wasnt big enough for me, that aside I really liked it, as long as you have the sport aero kit

Trying to persuade my friend to buy one instead of an astra VXR cos it is pants.

Looks like the front "mouth" thing is actually painted mettalic black on some of those pics... that would be uber

I've done some hamfisted jigging about on PS, but you get the idea....

Edited 4 March, 200917 yr by pittVRS