More images/details of new Mazdaspeed3
by John Neff on Mar 2nd 2009 at 11:58AM 
Click above for new high-res images of the redesigned Mazdaspeed3
Early last month Mazda previewed the Mazdaspeed3 that will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. We were only afforded three images and some salient details, but now just hours before the Swiss show officially begins we have a number of new pics and more information about one of our favorite sport compacts.
Browse the updated high-res gallery below and you'll see that the super smiley face of the new redesigned Mazda3 has been butched up for Mazdaspeed3 duty (the car is called the Mazda3 MPS outside the U.S.). The new car sports a hood scoop that even a Subaru WRX would be proud to wear, as well as its own unique grille trim, round foglamps, a roof-mounted spoiler, rear diffuser and its own set of wheels.
Sources are saying that the new design won't be joined by a new engine, as the same MZR 2.3L direct-inject, turbocharged four-cylinder will be used at launch though with power slightly increased to around 268 horsepower. The only other bit of tech info we have is a rumor that involves the Ford Focus RS. The Focus RS uses a special RevoKnuckle suspension system that virtually eliminates the issue of torque steer for the front-wheel-drive hot hatch, and rumor has it the Mazdaspeed3 may also take advantage of this system. Stay tuned for live coverage of the Geneva Motor Show where we'll meet the new Mazdaspeed3 in person.
Gallery: 2009 Mazda3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3)
[Source: Net Car Show]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
jon 12:01PM (3/02/2009)
whoo baby! i like!!
Reply
zamafir 12:05PM (3/02/2009)
yup, looks a lot better than the non speed grill. amazing what a little scoop will do.
havoc 12:46PM (3/02/2009)
waiting for the performance numbers...
because i prefer the looks of my 07 still.
5hp? dual exhaust maybe.
revo knuckle? i still say that the torque steer is negligible if you learn the car.
price? undoubtedly higher
bigger tires? hope so (215s just aren't enough) or maybe change from those 18 inch cast alloys to real forgers.
MemphisNET 1:50PM (3/02/2009)
There's only one thing I dislike about this.. and it's the front. Every other line on it is perfect for a hot-hatch.
Nothing the aftermarket can't fix... but it's a shame they didn't drop the smiley face for this variant. I prefer to keep these kind of cars stock.
Jared 2:30PM (3/02/2009)
I don't see a rear defuser in the pictures... but i might be blind...
Same engine.. and it doesn't come with the cool red Mazdaspeed oil cap.
I like my 08, but i wouldn't mind having those wheels and the dual exhaust. haha. but from the A pillar forward, it sure is UGLY!.
xcrunk 2:43PM (3/02/2009)
I must say, this is a much more aggressive and expressive design.
I just did a comparison between this model and the outgoing model, and I have to say, this one looks allot nice. Allot meaner. The rims are very nice. I am still not crazy about them raising the belt line at the C pilar, but I think I can get over that quick. That rear end kicks arse. Nice job.
This new model really makes the old model look seriously outdated. The new model looks two generations ahead of the old hatch body.
travisty 4:08PM (3/02/2009)
@Havoc - same engine, bigger car, heavier weight. It *might* get a small performance boost from having the hood scoop feed directly into the IC and possibly from a freer-flowing exhaust, but we'll have to wait and see.
Personally, I'm not a fan. The original was amazing since it didn't LOOK like it was trying to be a racer and could (usually) pass for a normal Mazda3. This just... looks like it's trying too hard.
exigeevan 12:06PM (3/02/2009)
Doesn't the RevoKnuckle reffer to the Diff' being used?
Reply
MikeW 12:17PM (3/02/2009)
No.
The 'RevoKnuckle' is an optimization of a front strut suspension.
http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/journal/?p=2934
It should have a low bias torque sensitive differential.
petey 12:17PM (3/02/2009)
revoknuckle is the name of fords new(ish) front suspension design. its kind of a modified macpherson strut to minimize the effect of the wheel to suspension centerline (kingpin), and is supposed to reduce, not eliminate torque steer
rndmnme 12:06PM (3/02/2009)
What... is... it?
Speed6 please.
Reply
Perry 12:08PM (3/02/2009)
It still reminds me of that pixar movie...cars!
Reply
XJ 4:45PM (3/02/2009)
I'm waiting for it to say "Pika Pika".
hakuta 9:02PM (3/02/2009)
＞XJ
I wonder English has "PikaPika" words.
This looks like subaru A spec.
petee209 12:07PM (3/02/2009)
Hideous compared to the previous Gen. That hood scoop is over the top too, even if it's fully functional.
Reply
Seminole 12:44PM (3/02/2009)
+1
I just cannot seem to like the way this looks. To me it looks like a Toyota Matrix. The interior isn't bad, but that black and orange trim looks terrible.
I-man 1:42PM (3/02/2009)
"That hood scoop is over the top"
I agree but you do realize your avatar is an sti, right? haha.
eightyd 12:09PM (3/02/2009)
Still a bit too barbie-car for me, and it is still keeping me thrilled that I bought my 08 Si sedan. Sure, this thing has a hot motor, I will absolutely not deny that, but sheesh it just looks plain silly. In the hot-small-sedan segment, I just wouldn't want to be seen rolling up to a stoplight in this thing. Make mine look a little more grown up. Also, what is the deal with the underbite right below the hatch lid? Oh man that bumper outcrop is enormous, is that for safety?
The styling is definitely not for me, but I'm sure some will love it.
Reply
Rev 1:47PM (3/02/2009)
How can you compare an SI to the MS3???
I drove 'em back to back and there is no comparo.
With the Mazda you can step on the gas and it actually goes. I don't see what is so thrilling about driving a generic econocar...
Dave in MI 12:11PM (3/02/2009)
Looks like a Subaru, but hatches all kinda look the same.
Reply