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MAZDA 3 MPS / MAZDASPEED 3 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2006
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Hatchback
MAZDA 3 MPS / MAZDASPEED3 photo gallery

While in some markets was known as the Mazda 3 MPS, other customers got it with the Mazdaspeed nameplate.

Regardless of the name, the result was the same: a hot-hatch so violent that it required some skills to handle it. Yet, in the right hands, it proved to be an excellent all-around vehicle either for shopping, cars&coffee events, or some races.

At first sight, it was just a regular Mazda 3 with a nicer set of 18" light-alloy wheels. But, then, a trained eye could notice that the hood was different and featured an air-intake for the intercooler. Other subtle details were the black metallic mesh for both grilles installed above and below the bumper in the apron. Last but not least, the bi-xenon headlights looked different than the rest of the Mazda 3 range. Finally, a rear roof spoiler adorned the top of the tailgate, while the LED taillights had an inner lens that added a sportier look to the car.

The interior was about comfort and sportiness. At the front, the high-bolstered bucket seats provided excellent support during high-speed cornering maneuvers. Fronting the driver was the instrument cluster that featured binocular-style dials, with a big tachometer and speedometer. Above the center stack, on the dashboard, Mazda installed a small display for the infotainment and navigation system. Additional details, such as aluminum pedals, silver trims on the center console, and door cards, amplified the car's sporty character.

But the rear miracle was under the body. A 2.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine sent all the power to the front wheels via a self-locking differential that was quite harsh in operation, so the torque steer was something normal for the MPS. But once mastered that issue, the driver could enjoy the car's excellent handling due to its independent suspension in all corners.

full description and technical specifications
MAZDA 3 MPS / MAZDASPEED3 photo gallery

It was the last hot-hatch built by Mazda before departing from Ford. Its compact size and powerful engine were impressive for those times.

The otherwise economical and simple Mazda 3 had a sibling who was anything else than that. It was the fastest Mazda 3 and promised the other hot-hatches on the market to put up a good fight with them.

The era of front-wheel drive hot-hatches was still on top of its game. Vehicles such as the Golf GTI, Focus ST, or Honda Civic Type R were highly appreciated on the market. The Megane RS was considered the king of them all. But the Japanese Mazda was closing in.

The Mazda 3 MPS was offered in a regular, 5-door, hatchback form. The hood was slightly risen to make room for the big intercooler. The roof-spoiler in the back was bigger than on a regular version. The only two details that could tell the difference were the bigger light-alloy wheels and the bigger exhaust in the back.

Inside, the car featured a new design with sport-bucket seats and the same dashboard as the rest of the range. The aluminum pedals and the colors used for the dashboard were some of the interior details that mattered.

The big difference was under the hood. There, an inline-four engine was turbocharged and offered 260 hp. The car was front-wheel-drive and, to prevent wheelspin, it was fitted with a standard front self-locking differential. Due to that, the car became very violent when turning into a corner and floor the gas pedal. The six-speed manual was very precise but not as sleek as some of its competitors. And no automatic was on the options list. The full-independent suspension featured stiffer dampers than the rest of its siblings, who were just economical and family-oriented hatchbacks.

full description and technical specifications