Mazda 3 MPS - Quicker than a GTO / Porsche

[pah]

Hi all,

Just having a read of the latest Wheels Mag. They report that the Mazda 3 MPS runs from 80 - 120 km/h in 3.5 secs. Wheels claims that an HSV GTO takes 3.8 secs and a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 secs. It also makes foe safe highway overtaking and it makes the Mazda a quick bit of gear at just under $40k.

It's a pity that it's limited to front wheel drive only. 190 kw's through the front wheels only sounds interesting.

The dang little thing pumps out 190 kw's . . . and it has 6 speeds. I suspect that this car and the XR5 might force the WRX to offer a 6 speed and maybe increase power levels.

Mazda claims 6.1 secs for 0 - 100 km/h and the standing quarter in the low 14's.




PAH

[gaz vyss]

Sounds too good to be true. I wonder how 'hard' they dumped it to claim a low 14?
My missus just bought a Mazda 6 after trading in the AU2, and is a little disappointed with the power of the Mazda. But then again, economy was the deciding factor.
Might have to talk her into trading again on a Mazda MPS.... but it would have to have all the bells and whistles to keep her happy ;)

[Dacious]

Hi all,

Just having a read of the latest Wheels Mag. They report that the Mazda 3 MPS runs from 80 - 120 km/h in 3.5 secs. Wheels claims that an HSV GTO takes 3.8 secs and a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 secs. It also makes foe safe highway overtaking and it makes the Mazda a quick bit of gear at just under $40k.

It's a pity that it's limited to front wheel drive only. 190 kw's through the front wheels only sounds interesting.

The dang little thing pumps out 190 kw's . . . and it has 6 speeds. I suspect that this car and the XR5 might force the WRX to offer a 6 speed and maybe increase power levels.

Mazda claims 6.1 secs for 0 - 100 km/h and the standing quarter in the low 14's.

PAH

Pah, mate. You seem to be jumping on the latest 'new' hype in the hope that it'll rock your world. And that's good. The world likes an optimist. Just ask Marvin the Paranoid Android. I hope I'm not getting you down.

No doubt the little Mazda is a great drive. Mazda I've always thought of as the Kawasaki of car companies - willing to be a little more adventurous and out-there with their rotaries, and a little freer in their thinking and not afraid to ruffle feathers with some of their product. Sometimes it means they've crashed and burned spectaculary - sometimes they've defined markets.

The problems - it's a FWD econobox with some tweaks. 'Quicker than a Porsche or GTO' is misleading, if that's in top. A Corolla is quicker than a WRX STi off-boost at low revs. Indeed, Clarkson on topgear showed a diesel Ford Focus as beating a Evo VIII from 30-60mph in top. And not by a little bit. The Mazda in top at 80 is probably pulling 2500rpm, so a low-blow setup is probably nicely in 'the zone'. The GTO in top is pulling maybe 1200 revs at 80. Same with the Porsche. Well below the speed where any significant urge is avail, and also hampered by 300km/h gearing. Wait another 100 meters down the road - the GTO and Porsche will have gathered up their skirts and blown past the Mazda which will not see them again this side of lunchtime.

You don't get anything for nothing except promises. It is fast because it's got a puffer. Bolt a hairdryer on an LS1 or even lower diff ratio and it too will do the same. With the Mazda you've got a small car with some tuning tweaks. Like the Rex. Worthy of respect, great little drive. If the size suits you, then you've found your car.

If I were you, I'd check out the Golf R32. It is everything the Mazda is and a little more. In fact, I wouldn't mind betting it is what 'inspired' Mazda.

[csv rulz]

.

The problems - it's a FWD econobox with some tweaks. 'Quicker than a Porsche or GTO' is misleading, if that's in top. A Corolla is quicker than a WRX STi off-boost at low revs. Indeed, Clarkson on topgear showed a diesel Ford Focus as beating a Evo VIII from 30-60mph in top. And not by a little bit. The Mazda in top at 80 is probably pulling 2500rpm, so a low-blow setup is probably nicely in 'the zone'. The GTO in top is pulling maybe 1200 revs at 80. Same with the Porsche. Well below the speed where any significant urge is avail, and also hampered by 300km/h gearing. Wait another 100 meters down the road - the GTO and Porsche will have gathered up their skirts and blown past the Mazda which will not see them again this side of lunchtime.

.

If you read the article you would relise that 80-120 is compared to the other cars in the same gear. so the GTO would be in third and the mazda in third and the mazda would win in the 80-120km.

It seems to be a very good car, its no V8 but i think it would be a very underestimated car

[seedyrom]

A workmate is buying one.

Will be interesting to see how it goes.

He does thrash his cars silly, so will be a good test to see engine reliability too


Lucky i've got a turbo myself or the comparisons and "i'd whip you" calling from him would be non stop

[Tron2004]

I also heard that these things are pretty much all computer controlled and it DOESN'T get it right.

I'm more interested in the 240kw Ford Territory turbo.
The stupid bloody TV ads where they say will eat all sports cars for lunch sounds so far over the top that I get a tad nauseous each time I see it. :spew:

[SSBarney]

I also heard that these things are pretty much all computer controlled :

And ur commordore or any other new car isnt virtually all computer controlled:hmmm:
If our commodores werent all computer controlled LS1edit would never have been the wonder it was:yup:

[VX-300]

I'm more interested in the 240kw Ford Territory turbo.
The stupid bloody TV ads where they say will eat all sports cars for lunch sounds so far over the top that I get a tad nauseous each time I see it. :spew:

U2
I guess if your sports car weighed 3 ton and had 2 diffs and a transfer case you might get nibbled on. Honestly how much of 240 remains once it transfers through all that shit ?

[Vulture]

If I were you, I'd check out the Golf R32. It is everything the Mazda is and a little more. In fact, I wouldn't mind betting it is what 'inspired' Mazda.

Dacious, a top post with regard to the gearing etc. too true. As for the R32, that thing is $55K plus.


And ur commordore or any other new car isnt virtually all computer controlled:hmmm:
If our commodores werent all computer controlled LS1edit would never have been the wonder it was:yup:

The problem I see is that with all the torque management in the Mazda it kind of defeats the purpose of having all that power. ie. it is not all available in the lower gears all of the time. Call me a purist, but the engine is beyond the FWD chassis if it requires all that wizz-bangery to stop in driving like a dog. The fact that it works and works well is sort of a moot point.

[fatas]

that new terri add sux how gulable do ford think we are ? :hide: :lmao:

[KeenGolfer]

Just read the review in Wheels and they certainly loved it and gave it a great review. They said about the torque-control/boost at throttle position in lower gears "In reality, it all works very well" and with DSC on "you'll be surprised how subtly it operates and how tightly balanced it makes the MPS feel".

For me, the sports pack (xenon lights with washers, polished wheels, part leather, Bose audio) at $43,690 make it too expensive. If you could get all that for the regular price of $39,990 it would be a great buy. It's already $5k more than Astra SRI Turbo and $4k more than XR5 Turbo at it's base price.

[V8BRUTE]

No doubt the little Mazda is a great drive. Mazda I've always thought of as the Kawasaki of car companies - willing to be a little more adventurous and out-there with their rotaries, and a little freer in their thinking and not afraid to ruffle feathers with some of their product. Sometimes it means they've crashed and burned spectaculary - sometimes they've defined markets.

What exactly is that supposed to mean in relation to Kawasaki, in their game of making strong performing bikes they are very well respected at making some of the best bikes currently available, apart from the MPS and RX8 range what does Mazda make that is remotely exciting :confused:

I am sure the MPS could be a good thing but being FWD just doesn't float my boat at all, AWD drive it would be a different thing entirely ;)

[vecommo]

that new terri add sux how gulable do ford think we are ? :hide: :lmao:

Yeah I can't stand that ad, so annoying, I change the channel every time I see it. I mean, what are they are trying to say? That an overweight, wannabe 4wd people mover with a snail slapped on is some sort of threat to prestigious and exotic sportscars? Get your hand off it Ford!!!
This ad is another example typical Ford marketing.... Mediocrity at the highest level and trying so hard to be something they're not.

[Quark]

When are they gonna put the 190kW engine in the MX5? B*gger FWD

[seedyrom]

calm down guys !! :lmao:

suddenly holdens any better with a car that can play basketball ? :D

[flappist]

that new terri add sux how gulable do ford think we are ? :hide: :lmao:

No the ad is perfect......

Australia is made up of many diverse groups.

One of these groups consists of very short angry men with beards who live is the suburbs, wear akubra hats while driving their "rigs" and are constantly trying to drag giant winged hyundai excel "sportscars" (and losing) at every opportunity.

This is the target group....

P.S. I have driven a turbo territory, they go a bit better than a SV6 but no where near any LS1/2 and they are still a giant shoebox.......

[Tron2004]

And ur commordore or any other new car isnt virtually all computer controlled:hmmm:
If our commodores werent all computer controlled LS1edit would never have been the wonder it was:yup:
No, I wasn't talking about engine management, what I meant was... Mazda realised that their new Mazda 3 MPS were a bit of a "weapon", so in order for the mums and dads to be able to control the thing, they had the computer set up to drop power if it sensed the car was cornering too quick and a swag of other "the computer will kick in and take charge" type setups.

I'm glad the puter my SV8 doesn't take charge when I'm going around corners at a speed it thinks is too fast !!!

[jerrel]

i would still rather have the porsche or gto, and be 0.1 seconds slower.

[Febs]

A workmate is buying one.

This who I think it is?


or the comparisons and "i'd whip you" calling from him would be non stop

Ahh..must be. :)

Is it just talk, or a definite?

Cheers,
- Febs.

[VYBerlinaV8]

i would still rather have the porsche or gto, and be 0.1 seconds slower.


Me too. And I suspect I would have reached 80km/h quicker anyway, so if the Mazda reels me in a bit before I reach the next gear, who cares?

[VSSII]

Like most Australian males i'm not a FWD fan at all, however Australia is a very very small market and the euro's have no such qualms. FWD's, if you're into that kind of thing can be made to handle very well (e.g any VW Gti of the last 10 years). I just can't justify a $3000 loading for a bose stereo and some fake leather. At the end of the day the "pleather" will last about 6 years before cracking and the Bose stereo in the Mazda 6 luxury which i'm guessing is the same, is really nothing to write home about. As a comparison, last time I looked leather was a $5000 option on a Benz. That stuff will stand the test of time. Oh I also like my cars tail happy!

[mid life]

Hi haven't read the article yet but I always thought Mazda's MPS was an all wheel drive?

[2001 ITR]

Like most Australian males i'm not a FWD fan at all, however Australia is a very very small market and the euro's have no such qualms. FWD's, if you're into that kind of thing can be made to handle very well (e.g any VW Gti of the last 10 years).

Ken oath. On Bridgestone RE55s my DC2R Honda will prob beat most stock V8’s around Winton. The Integra is an evolution of a design that is 12 years old. Newer FWDs with stiffer chassis, better suspension, bigger brakes, more power and better stability/traction controls should be quicker than it again.

(Back in the 80’s Audi were predicting that 200-220bhp was about the limit for FWD – this was before electronic controls)

[Merlin]

Hi haven't read the article yet but I always thought Mazda's MPS was an all wheel drive?

Mazda 3 MPS is FWD, Mazda 6 MPS is AWD.

[seedyrom]

Is it just talk, or a definite?

Cheers,
- Febs.
Probably hot air as usual. You know what he's like with turbo charged 4's. Always gonna get this or that .... oh wait ... he just sent me an MMS

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/DSC00448.jpg

[blownls1pulsar]

Is it just talk, or a definite?

Grab a spoon Febs - I'm bending over!! :booty:

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/DSC00446.jpg

Luxwhorey model and all. :driving:

[JNP304]

Sounds like a good little machine for 39k. Good daily driver that would not be bad on juice and have a bit of poke when you open it up.
Nothing wrong with a bit of DSP Help on a high power fwd. If it didnt the people bitching about the electronics would complain that it torque steer all over the road. Rmember the Saab Viggen? 185kw at front wheels and no computer aid. The thing was a dog and torque steered across the road. Over 90k to buy in 2001 now look at it on the used market. Sub 30k anyone?

Good work to Mazda for mixing it up with the Golf GTI ect. And its got a ricer exhaust pipe from factory. Auto Barn might not be happy bout that

[phat-dave]

read on another forum that vxr prices have been announced at $47k no discounts and 90% presold ....

wonder how they pack, spec wise ... though i have to admit, not quite sure i could justify $11k premium over the srit

[VZ05]

Sounds like a good little machine for 39k. Good daily driver that would not be bad on juice and have a bit of poke when you open it up.
Nothing wrong with a bit of DSP Help on a high power fwd. If it didnt the people bitching about the electronics would complain that it torque steer all over the road. Rmember the Saab Viggen? 185kw at front wheels and no computer aid. The thing was a dog and torque steered across the road. Over 90k to buy in 2001 now look at it on the used market. Sub 30k anyone?

remember the mx6 turbo? actually, remember anything before 1990 which was turbo + fwd.


Good work to Mazda for mixing it up with the Golf GTI ect. And its got a ricer exhaust pipe from factory. Auto Barn might not be happy bout that
bah, they'll find something else to reel you in..
autobarn = genius';)

[csv rulz]

can you get the 3 MPS in the sedan version of the Mazda 3?

because i think the sedan version looks heaps better. the hatch back looks like a sharpened up PT cruiser which i do not like

[hallyoz]

Mazda 3 MPS will be hatch only, which I think sucks. My whole problem with the 'hot hatch' market is the fact that they don't put the same gear in the sedan equivalent (except Mazda 3 SP), or in Holdens case at least in the five door versions.

[csv rulz]

Mazda 3 MPS will be hatch only, which I think sucks. My whole problem with the 'hot hatch' market is the fact that they don't put the same gear in the sedan equivalent (except Mazda 3 SP), or in Holdens case at least in the five door versions.

Thats a shame coz the sedan version is a hot looking little thing

[ShanghaiVZ]

This reminds me of the turbo ford territory ad claims to eat sports cars for breakfast, bwahahaaha ferrari's porsche's etc, I couldnt stop laughing my head off :lol:

[2001 ITR]

This reminds me of the turbo ford territory ad claims to eat sports cars for breakfast, ferrari's porsche's etc,

If it was an ad for a GT they would’ve had to pull it very quickly (a Ferrari 360 driver and passenger were killed in Vic recently, they were allegedly street racing with a GT).

*-this isn’t trying to minimize the tragedy of the crash

[KeenGolfer]

This reminds me of the turbo ford territory ad claims to eat sports cars for breakfast, bwahahaaha ferrari's porsche's etc, I couldnt stop laughing my head off :lol:

Well from the specs, reviews and figures they've got from these things, they *will* eat just about any stock car on the road alive in a roll on. Sure over the quarter mile they're not that fast, but what relevance does that have to normal driving? With max torque available at 33 kph in 2nd, 48 in 3rd, 63 in 4th, 80 in 5th, 102 in 6th - these things must be super fun to drive.

[blownls1pulsar]

Just for a laugh .. lets argue about the best way to run my new 3 MPS in when I pick it up?

Suggestions?

I want to improve on my current car, which had its engine replaced under warranty.. but I dont think it was my doing. ;)

[Febs]

Grab a spoon Febs - I'm bending over!! :booty:

Red, you poser. :p
Seriously though, congrats on finally buying something with (some) balls. :p
Did you try the Astra Turbo/XR5/Golf GTi/Polo GTi? If so, what did you think? It's a booming market this hot hatch thing!


Just for a laugh .. lets argue about the best way to run my new 3 MPS in when I pick it up?

Suggestions?

I still swear by the "Run it hard from day 1, but don't keep it at constant revs for the first 2,000km or so" philosophy. :)

Took mine to the drags about 200km after a rebuild...35,000km later still no slapping, no rattles, no noise and no excess oil consumption. :)

Cheers,
- Febs.

[blownls1pulsar]

Did you try the Astra Turbo/XR5/Golf GTi/Polo GTi? If so, what did you think? It's a booming market this hot hatch thing!

Didn't even consider any of the others. I've always liked the Mazda 3, was hoping a turbo would come.. Saw an ad on tele, bought one the next day. :love:

Having done my research AFTER my impulse buy I was impressed to see it munches all of them, and I really am happy with the way I've gone.

Believe it or not, for the last few months I had been considering going with a VE to annoy you. ;)

[ShanghaiVZ]

Well from the specs, reviews and figures they've got from these things, they *will* eat just about any stock car on the road alive in a roll on. Sure over the quarter mile they're not that fast, but what relevance does that have to normal driving? With max torque available at 33 kph in 2nd, 48 in 3rd, 63 in 4th, 80 in 5th, 102 in 6th - these things must be super fun to drive.

Sure I will just jump into my stock 911, that is quicker and handles better than a GT, who will win that one I wonder?? :deal:. Tell me what could the GT win at all? at a circuit? nope drag? nope sprint? nope.

[KeenGolfer]

Sure I will just jump into my stock 911, that is quicker and handles better than a GT, who will win that one I wonder?? :deal:. Tell me what could the GT win at all? at a circuit? nope drag? nope sprint? nope.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Febs]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I'm with you....

[ShanghaiVZ]

I use the 911 as an example, you telling us that the GT will eat a 911 Turbo in a roll on?? please explain, comparing a brick on wheels with a supercar here.

[Sean82]

I use the 911 as an example, you telling us that the GT will eat a 911 Turbo in a roll on?? please explain, comparing a brick on wheels with a supercar here.
He's talking about the MPS

[Wonky]

He's talking about the MPS
I thought he was talking about the turbo territory...... :confused:

[Sean82]

I thought he was talking about the turbo territory...... :confused:
Maybe I don't know what he's talking about.
But I assume drewbytes was reffering to the MPS being quicker than the mentioned cars. I think those figures were in wheels or motor magazine.

[KeenGolfer]

Maybe I don't know what he's talking about.
But I assume drewbytes was reffering to the MPS being quicker than the mentioned cars. I think those figures were in wheels or motor magazine.

Yes, I was referring to the fact that the MPS according to the times Wheels recorded, is faster from 80-120 than any other vehicle that they'd tested including Porsche, HSV GTO, XR6 Turbo etc.

I would like to see some other times too such as 0-60, 60-100 etc to get an overall idea of how quick these things are. They are obviously very quick little cars.

[Miyagi]

The hot hatches... all of them, are designed for rolling speed power where the average joe lives each and every day. It's clearly seen in the wide spread of power available in most of the current models... ie the 3 MPS, XR5 Turbo, Golf GTi and VXR (when it gets here).

Sure it's not going to beat most cars off the line and down a quarter, but in rolling conditions these little hatches can pack some serious punch.

One thing that is unique to the 3 MPS compared to the other FWD hatches in the market is it pushes its power out hard with a well developed LSD.

Anyone see the Audi S3 Quattro just launched? Looks like a top of the range competitor to the VW R32 and BMW 130i... 190kW and AWD... whoosh! Full details and piccies are here (http://www.hothatchheaven.com).


http://www.hothatchheaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/audi_s3_quattro_front.jpg

The S3 looks nice but at around an approx $80K (AUD) i think it's a tad too pricey for all but those with money burning a hole in their pockets.. :cool:

[ShanghaiVZ]

Hmmm bit off track we go :lol:.. yes the MPS is the focus but the territory came up because of the misleading ad they have on the T.V. You see bits of exotic cars in pieces like a Diablo, F430, Berlinetta I think it was saying the territory will make breakfast from them, I doubt it! Then drewbytes added about the specs etc etc saying it will eat *most* stock cars in roll on, which I agree with him, I DON'T agree on the cars used for the ad. :)