MazdaSpeed3/Alexa MPS garners gushing praise from Inside Line
The MazdaSpeed3 has yet to go on sale in the U.S., so Inside Line booked a flight to Japan for a quick jaunt in the JDM market Axela MPS. Their first impression of the new pocket rocket is one of gushing praise. Mazda engineers benchmarked the Volkswagen GTI and apparently have easily eclipsed the hot hatch that started it all. The Mazda's 2.3-liter turbo four pumps out 264 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs. of torque, eclipsing the GTI's motor by 64 hp and 74 ft-lbs. of torque, respectively. Oh yeah, and it weighs 154 lbs. less. 60 mph comes in 6.1 seconds and torque steer is minimized thanks to a modified ECU that reduces torque levels in 1st through 3rd gears. If Inside Line is to be believed, the MazdaSpeed3 will be tight handling, have a decent ride and be up on utility compared with competitors like the Honda Civic Si. It appears the GTI and Civic Si just won't be able to compete. The MazdaSpeed3, however, still has to get through the 300-horsepower Dodge Caliber SRT-4 to officially claim its title of King of the Compacts.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
d 11:09AM (7/18/2006)
> The MazdaSpeed3, however, still has to get through the
> 300-horsepower Dodge Caliber SRT-4 to officially claim
> its title of King of the Compacts.
Yeah, don't worry.
It won't.
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Shoeman 11:18AM (7/18/2006)
'King of Compacts' based on an HP number? What is the world coming to? (yes, tongue in cheek there). But seriously, the HP wars are getting ridiculous.
What you should compare is handling - the MPS 3'll run rings around that joke of a flipped bathtub. That's what matters. The Dodge can keep the straight-line crown, it means nothing.
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nick 11:21AM (7/18/2006)
King of the Compacts.
"what is the STi?", Alex.
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existonfile 11:23AM (7/18/2006)
Dodge will be facing the same problem they faced last gen with the neon srt-4. Sure it's alot of HP, but in the end it's still just a neon (in this case a caliber). Mazda won't have this problem because the 3 is an excellent vehicle to begin with. I am eagerly anticipating the speed 3 and parking it next to my fiancee's '04 Lava Orange 3 Hatch.
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jeffinToronto 11:28AM (7/18/2006)
I find it hard to believe that this little Mazda can't make it to 60mph in less than 6.1 seconds with all that HP on tap. Is it lighting up the tires or what?
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Ryan 11:31AM (7/18/2006)
I love my Mazda 3, mostly because it's not "Honda Civic" trendy it is it's own thing and this version only makes me love it more.
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Paul Tan 11:33AM (7/18/2006)
john, there's a typo in your post title. should be axela not alexa.
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Lucas 11:34AM (7/18/2006)
Most of the reviews I've seen say that the Caliber has worse handling than the Neon it replaced... considering they seemed to do their best to make it a mini-SUV I'm not really surprised.
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Paul 11:38AM (7/18/2006)
Wow! I think I want one!
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Danny 11:42AM (7/18/2006)
Yeah really.... what is it with all these pretenders like Mazdas, Dodges, VWs, etc.... they're cute little quick compacts, but if you're going to "gush" about their performance, at least allow a little perspective.
Why not just get a WRX for crying out loud? Granted I like the Mazda interior, but come on folks, for performance, there isn't another car in the WRX's price range that can touch it (and one step up you have the STi & Evo)...
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CoffeeJedi 11:43AM (7/18/2006)
I don't care how they package it, the Caliber is still a small SUV. Every non-car person i've talked to about it called it (a variation of) "that new little Dodge SUV". It's not even registering to people that its not a RAV4 competitor.
The EVO and Sti are the dueling kings of the compact segment, the Caliber isn't worthy to lick their tailpipes. And what about the Volvo S40 T-5, upcoming Audi S3, VW R32, Civic R, or Opel Astra GTC? hmmmm....
Caliber? *pfffft* please, don't make me laugh.
However, i will say that the Mazdaspeed 3 is just downright HAWTSOME. I could easily see myself trading in my Mazda3 s 5-door for one when the time comes. If only it had AWD though. Perhaps it could be the "King of the FWD Compacts"?
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spdracerut 11:43AM (7/18/2006)
The relatively slow 0-60 for the HP is due to the fact that it's FWD. Driving a 250whp FWD car myself, it's very difficult to put the power down on anything short of drag radials or slicks. Also, they said they reduced the torque, and therefore HP, in 1st-3rd gears to minimize torque steer.
The Caliber may be faster in a straight line, but it's almost a guarenteed fact that it won't hanlde as well. As for subjective stuff like looks, I think the MS3 looks a ton better than the Caliber; but hey, that's a personal preference.
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jstand6 11:46AM (7/18/2006)
"5. I find it hard to believe that this little Mazda can't make it to 60mph in less than 6.1 seconds with all that HP on tap. Is it lighting up the tires or what?"
Those are Mazda's numbers, which are always very conservative. Real-world testing of the Mazdaspeed6 easily eclipsed Mazda's performance numbers for that vehicle.
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Bill 11:58AM (7/18/2006)
Love my 06 Mz3 5-speed hatch. Only thing I'd change would be to add a 6-speed manual with 1-5 close together, and a tall 6th for highway crusing, quietness, and MPG. Otherwise, it's perfect.
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mike 12:21PM (7/18/2006)
It looks like a great little car. My GF has a reg. 5 dr 3 and I have a VW... However, I don't think it should be compared to a base engine GTI. R32 yes, GTI no...
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PJ 12:23PM (7/18/2006)
I'm really excited about the MazdaSpeed 3's release. As far as the Inside Line article goes, though, it should be noted that *every* recent initial review from Edmunds has dripped with praise.
For example, read between the lines on their closing statement:
" ...the numbers are in, and the Mazdaspeed 3 is the new king of the hot-hatch hill in Japan."
Unless they're talking about JDM vehicles, there *are* no other Japanese hot hatches in the States. I suppose you could make a case for the RSX, but that's more of a sporty coupe. The Matrix XRS seems more like a "warm" hatch to me.
I agree that the article should at least mention the WRX, although if the 3s is any indication, its speed advantage will be offset (to some) by the 3's superior control feel, interior quality, and general sense of composure.
As for the Caliber, my feeling is that 300 horses alone isn't going to make it a contender. Dodge is going to have to do *a lot* to the standard car's hideous gummy steering and strange driving position to play with the MS3.
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DKB_SATX 12:29PM (7/18/2006)
They're giving the 3 just what it's been lacking, some serious power. This should make it a real contender, and lots of people buy the 3 on looks alone, as opposed to people buying the Caliber in SPITE of its looks. While the Caliber SRT4 might win a drag race against the 'speed3 off the showroom floor, not that many people will buy a Caliber because of it.
And to the people wondering why the WRX and STI aren't addressed in the "King of Compacts" crap in the blurb, as a Subaru driver I can tell you that most people don't remember that Subaru exists unless they cut one off in traffic or happen to see an ad in a magazine. It's definitely a niche player.
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bgdc 12:38PM (7/18/2006)
Very seriously considering dumping my 2006 330i for this little bugger. I adore the feel of mazdas in the corners and the lightness of the car will help too.
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editedby 12:42PM (7/18/2006)
what does JDM stand for ?
TIA :)
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Ryan 12:44PM (7/18/2006)
Give us a Mazdaspeed 3 sedan damnit!!! If your a hatch guy, thats cool, but I dig sedans, damnit!
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