Sydney 2007: Aussie-only 281 HP Mazda3 MPS Extreme
by Alex Nunez on Oct 11th 2007 at 12:31AM 
Click image for hi-res gallery
You know how the Mazdaspeed3 is a pretty spiffy package, what with its 263 horses and 280 lb-ft of torque? The Australians have a better one. I know, I know -- shocking. Mazda Australia revealed the Mazda3 MPS Extreme at the Sydney Motor Show today, and it's a pretty compelling package. PCM reprogramming results in boosted mumbers of 281 horsepower and 313 lb-ft of torque. The fun doesn't end there either, as the Extreme gets a 2-inch exhaust and a suspension tuned by Murray Coote, who does the same for Australian race and rally cars. 19" BBS wheels with red MPS center caps fill out the fender cutouts, and the car itself is finished in red paint with black stripes and a black roof. It looks mean both in pictures and on paper, and it's just for our friends Down Under.
Follow the jump for the official press release and tech specs.
[Source: Mazda]
Gallery: Mazda3 MPS Extreme
PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda's Hot-Hatch Treated to Extreme Makeover
Mazda has today unveiled the third in its series of extreme cars, a modified version of the high-performance Mazda3 Mazda Performance Series (MPS), at the 2007 Sydney Motorshow.
Based on the top-selling Sports Pack luxury specification, the Mazda3 MPS Extreme has received engine, suspension and exhaust upgrades that improve the performance of the world's quickest hot-hatch by about twenty per cent.
Modified by Mazda Australia Motorsport Manager, Allan Horsley, this extreme makeover involves a recalculation to the car's Powertrain Control Module (PCM), allowing its standard 2.3-litre DISI turbo engine to generate a massive 210kW of power at 5300rpm and 425Nm of torque at 4400rpm.
Other modifications to the Mazda3 MPS include a free-flowing two-inch exhaust system and a sports muffler that will give this extreme car a suitability throaty exhaust note.
The car's suspension system has been redesigned by one of Australia's best suspension tuners, Murray Coote, and it now sits 25mm lower than the standard model, giving the car a more aggressive, sporty stance.
Coote, whose suspension systems sit beneath some of Australia's leading rally and racing cars, configured a suspension package that maintains the sharply responsive handling of the Mazda3 MPS while complementing its new found power boost.
The luxury hatch's standard 18-inch alloy wheels have been upsized to 19-inch BBS Motorsport wheels with Dunlop Sports (225/35ZR19) complete with a MPS monogram on the wheel centerpiece.
Cosmetically, its aggressive extreme look is created by a True Red body colour with black stripes, mimicking the white stripes seen on Mazda's Targa racing cars, and a black roof and rear spoiler.
Other alternations include extended black wheel arches to accommodate its larger wheels and tinted windows.
Inside the Mazda3 MPS Extreme�s Sports Pack brings black leather trim is accentuated by exclusive red leather trimming. The red theme continues with red highlights in the dash, gear-shift knob and steering wheel and doors trimmings.
The car's stopping power is generated through the state-of-art braking system found on the standard Mazda3 MPS. Its front disc brakes are 320mm in diameter and are ventilated, while the rear brakes are 280mm in diameter. An 8-9 inch tandem booster, along with a larger master cylinder, four-channel ABS, electronic brake distribution (EBD), electronic brake assist all contribute to the Mazda3 MPS Extreme's effective braking performance.
Other safety features on the Mazda3 MPS Extreme include six airbags (dual front, front side and head protecting curtain airbags), a collapsible brake pedal and front and rear passenger seatbelt reminders as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with a Traction Control System (TCS).
"Creating an extreme version of our signature hot-hatch really is a case of making a great car even greater," says Horsley, the brains behind Mazda Australia's formidable RX-7 SP and MX-5 SP variants.
"As proof of the standard car's abilities it finished a stunning tenth outright at this year's Targa Tasmania rally and first in the event's Showroom category, needless to say the Mazda3 MPS Extreme lifts the performance bar on an already outstanding vehicle."
Other extreme vehicles produced by Mazda Australia include a turbo-charged version of Mazda�s signature sports car, RX-8, in 2004 and a rally-ready Mazda2 in 2005.
"Mazda Australia, under the direction of Allan Horsley, has an excellent reputation of pushing the envelope in the design and modification of high-performance cars," says Mazda Australia�s managing director Doug Dickson.
"To build an extreme version of our signature hot-hatch is very fitting as it builds on the company�s racing heritage as well as celebrating the sales success of the current car."
Also making its Australian premiere today was the next example of Mazda's second generation Zoom-Zoom product, the all-new Mazda6, while the company's first seven-seat crossover CX-9 made its first Sydney motor show appearance.
Mazda3 MPS Extreme Specifications
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Alan Chadwick 8:02PM (4/24/2008)
I have now been driving my Mazda3MPS for 18 months and find it to be the most exhilerating, exciting and best car I have ever driven and I have owned quite a few cars in my life.
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Sam Kochel 12:46AM (10/11/2007)
Please excuse my ignorance here, but every time I read about cars here or wherever it seems Aussies and Euros are getting all the best cars...Japanese too. The original Skylines, the Holdens, the Caterhams, the original Atom, and so on and so on...(there really does seem to be so many more). Can someone please tell me 1) Why is this? 2) What are some cars we get that others don't?
Thanks so much for helping me out.
Sam
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chris 1:12AM (10/11/2007)
Well British and Japanese cars are more likely to be in Australia (and vice-versa) due to all being RHD countries. And all countries have very different markets to America, even Australia which you'd think was quite similar but where an F-150 sells in America it's the Corolla in Australia (then all the Holden Commodores behind that).
Mazda Japan aren't giving Australia this car either, everyone gets the same Mazda 3 MPS (Mazdaspeed, whatever you call it), just that Mazda Australia decided to make a more powerful version, just like Mitsubishi did in the UK without having anything to do with Mitsubishi back in Japan.
Australia also got the very best NB MX-5 as well, a locally made turbo version with a lot more power than the Japanese turbo version sold in Australia a few years later.
chris 1:13AM (10/11/2007)
Bleh, by Mitsubishi in the UK I mean they had all the EVO FQ-### models that nowhere else got.
compy386 8:10AM (10/11/2007)
California emission standards
Ilya 12:51AM (10/11/2007)
Did anyone say.... ttttoorque steeeeer!!!
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Craig 3:37AM (10/11/2007)
Have you driven a MPS3?
They have this cool tech that limits torque in the first 2 gears that is impossible to tell when it happens.
They drive like a dream too.
Torqued 8:33AM (10/11/2007)
"Impossible to tell" is a bit strong. The tech certainly helps, but there's still some torque steer there. It's certainly an impressive car, but it still feels like the FWD car it is.
That said, it's probably the best FWD car I've ever driven.
Craig 8:37AM (10/11/2007)
It is impossible to tell when the torque limiting is taking place. You still get torque steer, but it is way less than most FWD cars.
I reckon an early 90s Corolla gets more torque steer than this, and it has about half the power (and torque).
Kero 7:41PM (10/11/2007)
All that system does is limit boost in 1st and second gears
essentially running the motor in limp mode and making less power
NOT a good thing
rv 6:27PM (10/12/2007)
Test drove an MS3 twice. Did not drive like a dream. And YES, there is torque steer. Read some reviews...
R 1:37AM (10/11/2007)
Where's the alleged "jump"?
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polar 1:40AM (10/11/2007)
Is there any reason a US Spec MS3 couldn't do these ECU/PCM upgrades?
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Simmo 2:04AM (10/11/2007)
your whacky emissions laws?
polar 3:05PM (10/11/2007)
Okay... that may be true, but ignoring those, which many do anyway.
Is this just a simple remap, or something else... that's my question.
Simmo 7:04PM (10/11/2007)
i can't see it being anything other an ECU tweak, possibly tuned up a bit because our emission standards are lower than japan's.
adam 2:23AM (10/11/2007)
Mazda needs to hurry up and get the Renesis 2 into production. It's sad when a run-of-the-mill turbo four cylinder makes more power and torque than the company's unique flagship engine.
I would rather see AWD/4WD than increased power in this car.
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AZ 2:55AM (10/11/2007)
Amen to that, I would take it in a second if it has AWD.
SPG 2:48AM (10/11/2007)
Belt up and floor it I guess.
That's an awesome amount of power but I really think AWD would of been a better addition.
I'd still take it though.
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Revhed 4:29AM (10/11/2007)
This is only a show exercise - not intended for production yet
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