FWD still for Mazda 3MPS

Mazda will stay with front-wheel drive, 2.3 litres and hatch-only configuration for its next 3 MPS.

The hottest 3 will not arrive Down Under until some months after the launch of the new 'generation two' Mazda3 in June next year, but when it does, expect a reasonable jump in performance and perhaps a surprise or two in terms of specification and price.

Mazda's US operation has played a key role in developing the new 3 MPS. In fact, the Irvine (CA) based North American R&D centre has done much of the benchmarking for the car.

The Carsales Network has learned that though lack of buyer interest in the USA killed off any hope of a next generation Mazda6 MPS, the world's largest 3 marketplace is looking for a hotter and more aggressive MPS hatch to take on the likes of the Golf GTI, Chevrolet Cobalt SS and the all-wheel drive Mitsubishi Ralliart.

The cars used as a reference set for the new 3MPS, sit well outside its direct competitors, however. As well as direct competitors, both the Mitsubishi Evo IX and Lotus Elise are among the cars that have been used to establish performance attributes for the new hot hatch.

According to Mazda insiders the new MPS will retain the base turbocharged direct-injected 2.3-litre engine of the current generation. However, components such as the turbocharger and intercooler will be updated. Power and torque will both be boosted.

The car will remain staunchly front-wheel drive however. Though Mazda considered a switch to all-wheel drive, the added weight, complexity and cost was deemed unnecessary.

While Ford's hottest Focus, the limited build RS will use a new Quaife limited slip differential, Mazda is confident the latest generation of its Torque Management System (TMS), will satisfy the new more powerful (perhaps as much as 210kW) 3 MPS.

Mazda sources say, the software governing the TMS has been refined. Hardware changes are also on the cards for the final production version.

While Mazda will not officially even confirm the existence of the new model, there were plenty of smiles when we quizzed designers on the plans for the car at the weekend's Mazda3 sedan launch in California. Unofficially, they promise a significantly more aggressive rework of the new 3's lines and smiling face.

Alas, though the cooking model Mazda3 hatch is expected to be launched at next month's Bologna motor show, the first official look at the 3 MPS will have to wait until 2009. At this stage, Geneva is tipped to be the launch venue.

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